Stevie Wonder - Yester me Yester you Yesterday
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Bird & Animal Names In Rock & Roll History- part two
Throughout music history there have been many bands that have adopted an "animal" or "bird" monikers to represent their band and their sound. Some artists even have a last name that fits into this category and in this continuing article series we will explore some of the unique "animal" and "bird" names and the diverse music that has been created by these groups or individuals.
As I prepared for this project, I did not realize the amount of bands and artists who fall into the category. There are so many new bands like Fleet Foxes, Minus The Bear, Weird Owl and Andrew Bird, Animal Collective, just to name a few, to add to the growing list (which is no particular order). If you have a particular band or artist that fits into this article series, please email me and I can add them to the growing and seemingly endless list. Look for this feature every Tuesday and Thursday. This should be a fun series! Here is part two:
In the last article, we talked about “animal” band names including the Teddy Bears, the novelty act the Chipmunks and of course led off with the British group The Animals. Let’s explore more “animal” group names in music history.
The Turtles first hit the charts in 1965 with a cover of a Bob Dylan tune, “It Ain’t Me Babe” on a “fish” record label called White Whale. They followed that Top Ten hit with several more pop rock gems including, “She’d Rather Be With Me” and “Elenore,” among others. They also secured a number one hit in the spring of 1967 with a song called “Happy Together.” Interestingly, the Turtles had recorded the song “Eve Of Destruction” on their LP “It Ain't Me Babe” in 1965, but did not release it as a single. The P. F. Sloan protest song ultimately went to the number one position after it was released by Barry McGuire.
At the end of the sixties, group members Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman hooked up with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention and also performed on their own as Flo and Eddie. Kaylan and Volman sang backing vocals on several recordings by T.Rex, including their epic #1 hit "Get it On (Bang A Gong)" and albums by Electric Warrior and The Slider. They also sang backup on Bruce Springsteen's "Hungry Heart", from his album The River. They continue to perform today, both as Flo and Eddie and as the Turtles.
In 1966, an advertisement in the Hollywood Trade paper “Daily Variety” implored “folk and rock musicians-singers for acting roles in a new television series.” It is reported that more than 430 people answered the ad including Harry Nilsson, Danny Hutton (later to be with 3 Dog Night), songwriter Paul Williams and Stephen Stills (of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young fame), among others. Stills was rejected because his teeth and hair weren’t perfect, but he had a friend that resembled him. His friend, Peter Tork went into the audition, walked into a wall and the job was his and became part of the “made for TV” group The Monkees.
With songs written by some of the most talented songwriters of the time (including Gerry Goffin-Carole King, Neil Diamond, Neil Sedaka, Tommy Boyce-Bobby Hart among others), the Monkees achieved major pop rock success with such hits as the catchy rocker “Last Train To Clarksville,” the Neil Diamond written number one hit, “I’m A Believer,” (which was number one for an incredible seven weeks), the pop gem by Davy Jones called “Daydream Believer” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday” (which was written by the legendary song writing duo of Gerry Goffin and Carole King), among others and members Michael Nesmith, Davey Jones, Peter Tork and Mickey Dolenz became international superstars.
The television show, appropriately called the Monkees, featured the quartet in inane and slapstick sketches and also showcased their music. Despite the fact that the group was not permitted to play instruments on the records, the public gobbled up “Monkeemania.” But, with pressure from that same public and band member Michael Nesmith’s urging (and to deflect the growing public criticism), they started to play instruments on their third album “Headquarters.”
In one of the rock’s most embarrassing moments, in 1967 the Monkees toured with a gentleman named Jimi Hendrix as their opening act. But Monkee fans disliked the legendary guitar player (who was largely unknown here in the states, but had a strong following in Europe) and booed him. Finally, in New York, Hendrix had enough, flipped-off the screaming Monkee fans and quit the tour.
It is said that camera happy band members Davey Jones and Mickey Dolenz didn’t care much about the music. In fact, Dolenz was known to slip the cameraman twenty-five dollars to make sure he received the most close-ups. Jones then slipped the cameraman thirty-five dollars and promptly stole the show.
When MTV began re-broadcasting the television series in 1987, a second wave of "Monkeemania" gripped the nation as the group enjoyed a major revival in popularity that even put six of their old albums back onto the charts. A new best of "Then And Now" achieved platinum status and the band (minus Mike Nesmith) scored a Top 40 hit with a new song entitled 'That Was Then, This Is Now"; one of three new cuts recorded by the trio of Jones, Tork and Dolenz. The trio toured in the summer of '87 and went on to record a new album called "Pool It!" the following year. But, Nesmith had no interest in rejoining the group, but did join the band when they were awarded a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in 1989. Nesmith relented in 1996 and returned to the band for an album called "Justus" which coincided with Rhino Records' twenty-one volume video set of the popular television show. Another "Greatest Hits" compilation album went gold in 2000.
In the next article of the series, we will continue to explore more "bird" and "animal" group names and artist names in rock and roll history.
Turtle’s Tidbits:
The Turtles were (1965–1967)
Howard Kaylan – vocals, Mark Volman - guitar, saxophone, vocals, Al Nichol - guitar Jim Tucker – guitar, Chuck Portz – bass, Don Murray - drums
Various reincarnations of the band have played together with different personnel, but the constant was always having Kaylan and Volman leading the bands.
In 1984, Kaylan and Volman legally regained the use of the Turtles name, and began touring as The Turtles... Featuring Flo and Eddie. Instead of trying to reunite with their earlier band mates, they began featuring all-star sidemen who had played with different groups.
Selected Cuts: Buy Turtles Music
US Top 10 singles:
1965 It Ain't Me Babe #8
1967 Happy Together #1
1967 She'd Rather Be With Me #3
1968 Elenore #6
Monkees’ Tidbits
Monkees critics complained that they were just a made-for-TV knockoff of the Beatles, but the Fab Four took it in stride, and welcomed the Monkees when they visited England. John Lennon publicly compared the Monkees' humor to The Marx Brothers, a high compliment indeed. In fact, Nesmith attended the "A Day in the Life" sessions at Abbey Road Studios and he can be seen in the Beatles' home movies, including one scene where he is conversing with Lennon (who called him “Monkee Man”).
On their third album, Headquarters (1967) the four Monkees actually wrote and played much of their own material. The album quickly shot to #1, but was bumped off the top slot when the Beatles released “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Interestingly, the Monkees outsold the Beatles and the Rolling Stones combined in 1967.
In the 1990s, the Monkees continued to record new material, their 11th album, Justus, was released in 1996. It was the first since 1968 on which all four original members performed and produced. Justus was produced by the Monkees, all songs were written by one of the four Monkees, and it was recorded using only the four Monkees for all instruments and vocals, which was the inspiration for the album title and spelling (Justus = Just Us).
The Monkees were the first band to use a Moog Synthesizer in a top-10 album (used on "Star Collector", "Daily Nightly" and "Love Is Only Sleeping" from Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., released in November of 1967).
The band’s success actually compelled another David Jones to change his surname to Bowie, to avoid being confused with Davy Jones of the Monkees.
The Monkees are one of only eight artists achieving number-one hits in the United States and United Kingdom simultaneously
Selected Cuts: Buy Monkees Music
US Top 10 singles:
1966 Last Train to Clarksville #1
1966 I'm a Believer" / I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone #1
1967 A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You #2
1967 Pleasant Valley Sunday #3
1967 Daydream Believer #1
1968 Valleri #3
As I prepared for this project, I did not realize the amount of bands and artists who fall into the category. There are so many new bands like Fleet Foxes, Minus The Bear, Weird Owl and Andrew Bird, Animal Collective, just to name a few, to add to the growing list (which is no particular order). If you have a particular band or artist that fits into this article series, please email me and I can add them to the growing and seemingly endless list. Look for this feature every Tuesday and Thursday. This should be a fun series! Here is part two:
In the last article, we talked about “animal” band names including the Teddy Bears, the novelty act the Chipmunks and of course led off with the British group The Animals. Let’s explore more “animal” group names in music history.
The Turtles first hit the charts in 1965 with a cover of a Bob Dylan tune, “It Ain’t Me Babe” on a “fish” record label called White Whale. They followed that Top Ten hit with several more pop rock gems including, “She’d Rather Be With Me” and “Elenore,” among others. They also secured a number one hit in the spring of 1967 with a song called “Happy Together.” Interestingly, the Turtles had recorded the song “Eve Of Destruction” on their LP “It Ain't Me Babe” in 1965, but did not release it as a single. The P. F. Sloan protest song ultimately went to the number one position after it was released by Barry McGuire.
At the end of the sixties, group members Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman hooked up with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention and also performed on their own as Flo and Eddie. Kaylan and Volman sang backing vocals on several recordings by T.Rex, including their epic #1 hit "Get it On (Bang A Gong)" and albums by Electric Warrior and The Slider. They also sang backup on Bruce Springsteen's "Hungry Heart", from his album The River. They continue to perform today, both as Flo and Eddie and as the Turtles.
In 1966, an advertisement in the Hollywood Trade paper “Daily Variety” implored “folk and rock musicians-singers for acting roles in a new television series.” It is reported that more than 430 people answered the ad including Harry Nilsson, Danny Hutton (later to be with 3 Dog Night), songwriter Paul Williams and Stephen Stills (of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young fame), among others. Stills was rejected because his teeth and hair weren’t perfect, but he had a friend that resembled him. His friend, Peter Tork went into the audition, walked into a wall and the job was his and became part of the “made for TV” group The Monkees.
With songs written by some of the most talented songwriters of the time (including Gerry Goffin-Carole King, Neil Diamond, Neil Sedaka, Tommy Boyce-Bobby Hart among others), the Monkees achieved major pop rock success with such hits as the catchy rocker “Last Train To Clarksville,” the Neil Diamond written number one hit, “I’m A Believer,” (which was number one for an incredible seven weeks), the pop gem by Davy Jones called “Daydream Believer” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday” (which was written by the legendary song writing duo of Gerry Goffin and Carole King), among others and members Michael Nesmith, Davey Jones, Peter Tork and Mickey Dolenz became international superstars.
The television show, appropriately called the Monkees, featured the quartet in inane and slapstick sketches and also showcased their music. Despite the fact that the group was not permitted to play instruments on the records, the public gobbled up “Monkeemania.” But, with pressure from that same public and band member Michael Nesmith’s urging (and to deflect the growing public criticism), they started to play instruments on their third album “Headquarters.”
In one of the rock’s most embarrassing moments, in 1967 the Monkees toured with a gentleman named Jimi Hendrix as their opening act. But Monkee fans disliked the legendary guitar player (who was largely unknown here in the states, but had a strong following in Europe) and booed him. Finally, in New York, Hendrix had enough, flipped-off the screaming Monkee fans and quit the tour.
It is said that camera happy band members Davey Jones and Mickey Dolenz didn’t care much about the music. In fact, Dolenz was known to slip the cameraman twenty-five dollars to make sure he received the most close-ups. Jones then slipped the cameraman thirty-five dollars and promptly stole the show.
When MTV began re-broadcasting the television series in 1987, a second wave of "Monkeemania" gripped the nation as the group enjoyed a major revival in popularity that even put six of their old albums back onto the charts. A new best of "Then And Now" achieved platinum status and the band (minus Mike Nesmith) scored a Top 40 hit with a new song entitled 'That Was Then, This Is Now"; one of three new cuts recorded by the trio of Jones, Tork and Dolenz. The trio toured in the summer of '87 and went on to record a new album called "Pool It!" the following year. But, Nesmith had no interest in rejoining the group, but did join the band when they were awarded a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in 1989. Nesmith relented in 1996 and returned to the band for an album called "Justus" which coincided with Rhino Records' twenty-one volume video set of the popular television show. Another "Greatest Hits" compilation album went gold in 2000.
In the next article of the series, we will continue to explore more "bird" and "animal" group names and artist names in rock and roll history.
Turtle’s Tidbits:
The Turtles were (1965–1967)
Howard Kaylan – vocals, Mark Volman - guitar, saxophone, vocals, Al Nichol - guitar Jim Tucker – guitar, Chuck Portz – bass, Don Murray - drums
Various reincarnations of the band have played together with different personnel, but the constant was always having Kaylan and Volman leading the bands.
In 1984, Kaylan and Volman legally regained the use of the Turtles name, and began touring as The Turtles... Featuring Flo and Eddie. Instead of trying to reunite with their earlier band mates, they began featuring all-star sidemen who had played with different groups.
Selected Cuts: Buy Turtles Music
US Top 10 singles:
1965 It Ain't Me Babe #8
1967 Happy Together #1
1967 She'd Rather Be With Me #3
1968 Elenore #6
Monkees’ Tidbits
Monkees critics complained that they were just a made-for-TV knockoff of the Beatles, but the Fab Four took it in stride, and welcomed the Monkees when they visited England. John Lennon publicly compared the Monkees' humor to The Marx Brothers, a high compliment indeed. In fact, Nesmith attended the "A Day in the Life" sessions at Abbey Road Studios and he can be seen in the Beatles' home movies, including one scene where he is conversing with Lennon (who called him “Monkee Man”).
On their third album, Headquarters (1967) the four Monkees actually wrote and played much of their own material. The album quickly shot to #1, but was bumped off the top slot when the Beatles released “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Interestingly, the Monkees outsold the Beatles and the Rolling Stones combined in 1967.
In the 1990s, the Monkees continued to record new material, their 11th album, Justus, was released in 1996. It was the first since 1968 on which all four original members performed and produced. Justus was produced by the Monkees, all songs were written by one of the four Monkees, and it was recorded using only the four Monkees for all instruments and vocals, which was the inspiration for the album title and spelling (Justus = Just Us).
The Monkees were the first band to use a Moog Synthesizer in a top-10 album (used on "Star Collector", "Daily Nightly" and "Love Is Only Sleeping" from Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., released in November of 1967).
The band’s success actually compelled another David Jones to change his surname to Bowie, to avoid being confused with Davy Jones of the Monkees.
The Monkees are one of only eight artists achieving number-one hits in the United States and United Kingdom simultaneously
Selected Cuts: Buy Monkees Music
US Top 10 singles:
1966 Last Train to Clarksville #1
1966 I'm a Believer" / I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone #1
1967 A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You #2
1967 Pleasant Valley Sunday #3
1967 Daydream Believer #1
1968 Valleri #3
Vinyl Collective News
My friend in vinyl, Virgil Dickerson, over at www.vinylcollective.com has some new restocks in, stop by the site and pick up some great vinyl!
ARCADE FIRE “Funeral” LP
ARCADE FIRE “No Cars Go” 7"
ARCADE FIRE ìNeon Bibleî dbl LP
CALEXICO “Spoke” LP
CLIPíD BEAKS “Visions b/w Dank Swamp” 7"
ELLIOTT SMITH “Either/Or” LP
ELLIOTT SMITH “S/T” LP
ELLIOTT SMITH “Speed Trials” 7"
HEALTH “Health/Disco” dbl LP
KILLDOZER “Twelve Point Buck” LP
NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL “In The Aeroplane” LP
ONELINEDRAWING “Visitor” LP
PEGBOY “Strong Reaction” LP
PICTUREPLANE “Trancedoll” 7"
PINBACK AUTUMN OF THE SERAPHIMS LP
POLVO “Shapes” LP
SLEATER KINNEY “One Beat” LP
THE MUMMIES “Play Their Own Records” LP (limited edition clear vinyl)
THE THERMALS “Now We Can See” 7"
ARCADE FIRE “Funeral” LP
ARCADE FIRE “No Cars Go” 7"
ARCADE FIRE ìNeon Bibleî dbl LP
CALEXICO “Spoke” LP
CLIPíD BEAKS “Visions b/w Dank Swamp” 7"
ELLIOTT SMITH “Either/Or” LP
ELLIOTT SMITH “S/T” LP
ELLIOTT SMITH “Speed Trials” 7"
HEALTH “Health/Disco” dbl LP
KILLDOZER “Twelve Point Buck” LP
NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL “In The Aeroplane” LP
ONELINEDRAWING “Visitor” LP
PEGBOY “Strong Reaction” LP
PICTUREPLANE “Trancedoll” 7"
PINBACK AUTUMN OF THE SERAPHIMS LP
POLVO “Shapes” LP
SLEATER KINNEY “One Beat” LP
THE MUMMIES “Play Their Own Records” LP (limited edition clear vinyl)
THE THERMALS “Now We Can See” 7"
Music News & Notes
Red House Painters Reissue
After nearly 13 years, Red House Painters‘ classic album "Songs For a Blue Guitar" will finally be issued on double 180-gram vinyl on April 21st, 2009. If you’d like, Insound is now pre-selling this piece of magic that will arrive on your doorstep on or around its release date. Preorder here:
Red House Painters
================================
Gaslight Anthem Issuing Live Vinyl Release
It has been less than two years since New Jersey's The Gaslight Anthem began releasing discs.
In that short time, they've completed an EP and two full-lengths. The second of those albums, last year's The '59 Sound, has lifted the band's name from the lips of Jersey punk fans to the pages of international magazines, where critics frequently named The '59 Sound as one of the best albums of the year.
"I always had the idea that I would be in a band and I'd have job," muses guitarist Alex Rosamilia. "I'd take two weeks off a year and tour with that band. I never thought the band would become my job. It's absolutely unreal."
The '59 Sound took the band's songwriting to that fabled "next level." It also took them away from the realm of "punk," in its most rigid definition.
Many have likened the Anthem to Bruce Springsteen, due to Brian Fallon's voice, their similar vocal melodies and lyrical imagery and shared geography. The comparison is fair, but only if you imagine a more focused, less bombastic arrangement, like The Boss as backed by the Stiff Little Fingers, perhaps.
The band will play a sold-out show with Saint Alvia at Toronto's Opera House on March 20 on the heels of a European tour and a new video for the lead-off track, "Great Expectations."
They'll also release a limited edition 10-inch single for this year's Record Store Day on April 18. Live At Park Ave. will feature a recording of a performance at Park Avenue CDs in Orlando, Fla. during a tour with Rise Against, Alkaline Trio and Thrice. No other releases are planned at the moment — mostly because audiences around the world are still discovering The '59 Sound.
================================
Paper + Plastick announce details of new Foundation (Rob Huddleston) release "Chimborazo"
Paper + Plastick have announced details for Chimborazo, the upcoming release from Foundation, the solo project of Rob Huddleston (Ann Beretta, Inquisition). Chimborazo will be available only on vinyl and digital download formats. The label's website http://paperandplastick.com/ is currently offering a presale for the record , with three alternate colors of the vinyl. It will be available in Black, Blue, Green and Splatter vinyl, with a die cut cover and artwork by Richard "Horsebites" Minino. The webstore will offer two presale packages; the first includes a copy of the record with a commemorative Foundation T-shirt. The second includes the record, shirt, and a limited edition Foundation print that comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by both Rob Huddleston and Horsebites.
The release hits stores March 24th, and a record release show with support from Dave Hause (The Loved Ones) and Brett Adams (The Riot Before) is planned for Friday, March 27th at the Canal Club in Richmond, VA. . Foundation's last full-length was 2002's Foundation.
================================
Artists Wanted for Album Covers
(PR) Versailles Records has announced that it is seeking submissions from Stone Temple Pilots and Buckcherry fans for an original album cover design for the label's forthcoming summer releases, 'Wicked Garden: A Millennium Tribute to Stone Temple Pilots' and 'Lit Up: A Millennium Tribute to Buckcherry'.
Collectively, these tributes will feature current/former members of Black Sabbath, Racer X, Kiss, Europe, Megadeth, Badlands, Alice Cooper Band, Lizzy Borden, Fuel, Surgical Steel, Bonham, Mountain, Circle Jerks, Slash's Snakepit, Metal Church, Warrant, Dokken, Steelheart, Michael Shanker Group, L.A. Guns, White Lion, Machine Head, Ratt, WASP, Quiet Riot, and others.
Interested fans should email Versaillesrecords2006@yahoo.com with a brief synopsis of the cover concept they have in mind prior to submitting any art, and include some kind of myspace or related portfolio web link. A final decision will be made on the official album cover selections this April. -
After nearly 13 years, Red House Painters‘ classic album "Songs For a Blue Guitar" will finally be issued on double 180-gram vinyl on April 21st, 2009. If you’d like, Insound is now pre-selling this piece of magic that will arrive on your doorstep on or around its release date. Preorder here:
Red House Painters
================================
Gaslight Anthem Issuing Live Vinyl Release
It has been less than two years since New Jersey's The Gaslight Anthem began releasing discs.
In that short time, they've completed an EP and two full-lengths. The second of those albums, last year's The '59 Sound, has lifted the band's name from the lips of Jersey punk fans to the pages of international magazines, where critics frequently named The '59 Sound as one of the best albums of the year.
"I always had the idea that I would be in a band and I'd have job," muses guitarist Alex Rosamilia. "I'd take two weeks off a year and tour with that band. I never thought the band would become my job. It's absolutely unreal."
The '59 Sound took the band's songwriting to that fabled "next level." It also took them away from the realm of "punk," in its most rigid definition.
Many have likened the Anthem to Bruce Springsteen, due to Brian Fallon's voice, their similar vocal melodies and lyrical imagery and shared geography. The comparison is fair, but only if you imagine a more focused, less bombastic arrangement, like The Boss as backed by the Stiff Little Fingers, perhaps.
The band will play a sold-out show with Saint Alvia at Toronto's Opera House on March 20 on the heels of a European tour and a new video for the lead-off track, "Great Expectations."
They'll also release a limited edition 10-inch single for this year's Record Store Day on April 18. Live At Park Ave. will feature a recording of a performance at Park Avenue CDs in Orlando, Fla. during a tour with Rise Against, Alkaline Trio and Thrice. No other releases are planned at the moment — mostly because audiences around the world are still discovering The '59 Sound.
================================
Paper + Plastick announce details of new Foundation (Rob Huddleston) release "Chimborazo"
Paper + Plastick have announced details for Chimborazo, the upcoming release from Foundation, the solo project of Rob Huddleston (Ann Beretta, Inquisition). Chimborazo will be available only on vinyl and digital download formats. The label's website http://paperandplastick.com/ is currently offering a presale for the record , with three alternate colors of the vinyl. It will be available in Black, Blue, Green and Splatter vinyl, with a die cut cover and artwork by Richard "Horsebites" Minino. The webstore will offer two presale packages; the first includes a copy of the record with a commemorative Foundation T-shirt. The second includes the record, shirt, and a limited edition Foundation print that comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by both Rob Huddleston and Horsebites.
The release hits stores March 24th, and a record release show with support from Dave Hause (The Loved Ones) and Brett Adams (The Riot Before) is planned for Friday, March 27th at the Canal Club in Richmond, VA. . Foundation's last full-length was 2002's Foundation.
================================
Artists Wanted for Album Covers
(PR) Versailles Records has announced that it is seeking submissions from Stone Temple Pilots and Buckcherry fans for an original album cover design for the label's forthcoming summer releases, 'Wicked Garden: A Millennium Tribute to Stone Temple Pilots' and 'Lit Up: A Millennium Tribute to Buckcherry'.
Collectively, these tributes will feature current/former members of Black Sabbath, Racer X, Kiss, Europe, Megadeth, Badlands, Alice Cooper Band, Lizzy Borden, Fuel, Surgical Steel, Bonham, Mountain, Circle Jerks, Slash's Snakepit, Metal Church, Warrant, Dokken, Steelheart, Michael Shanker Group, L.A. Guns, White Lion, Machine Head, Ratt, WASP, Quiet Riot, and others.
Interested fans should email Versaillesrecords2006@yahoo.com with a brief synopsis of the cover concept they have in mind prior to submitting any art, and include some kind of myspace or related portfolio web link. A final decision will be made on the official album cover selections this April. -
This Date In Music History-March 19
Birthdays:
Clarence "Frogman" Henry is 72.
Robin Luke ("Susie Darlin'") turns 67.
Ruth Pointer- Pointer Sisters is 63.
Derek Longmuir - Bay City Rollers (1955)
Zach Lind - Jimmy Eat World (1976)
Guitarist Paul Atkinson - Zombies (1946)
Carrie Underwood (1983)
Terry Hall- Specials (1959)
They Are Missed:
Free guitarist Paul Kossoff died in 1976 from undetermined causes at the age of twenty-six on a London-to-New York flight. He had a history of heart disease.
Gary Thain, bass player with Uriah Heep died of a drug overdose in 1976 (age 28).
Born on this day in 1953, Ricky Wilson, guitarist, The B-52's. Wilson died on October 12th 1985 of AIDs.
Luther Ingram died of heart failure in 2007.
In 1982, Ozzy Osbourne's rhythm guitarist and former Quiet Riot member Randy Rhoads was killed when the plane he was riding in crashed. The tour bus driver, Andrew Aycock, talked the band's keyboardist, Don Airey, into taking a test flight in a '55 Beechcraft Bonanza, the joyride ended, and the plane landed safely. Then Aycock took Rhoads and Rachel Youngblood on another flight and attempts were made to "buzz" the tour bus. The left wing clipped the bus, which sent the plane spiraling into a nearby house and bursting into flames.
History:
Jefferson Airplane became Jefferson Starship in 1974.
In 1957, Elvis Presley bought Graceland mansion for $102,500.
"Our Song" was released by Tom and Jerry in 1958. Later they used their real names, which were Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.
Bob Dylan released his self-titled debut album in 1962.
The third album from KISS, "Dressed to Kill," was released in 1975.
In 1980, Elvis Presley's autopsy report was a part of the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners' case against Dr. George Nichopoulos. Presley's former personal physician was accused of overprescribing drugs to the King of Rock 'n' Roll. He later has his medical license revoked.
In 2005, 50 Cent became the first solo artist to have three singles in the US Top 5. “Candy Shop” was at #1 with “How We Do” by The Game, (a member of his G-Unit group) at #4 and “Disco Inferno” at #5.
The second Beatles Anthology series was released in 1996. The album featured “Real Love,” a track the remaining members of the Beatles recorded using an old demo track of John Lennon's. The song was first recorded by Lennon in 1977 with a handheld tape recorder on his piano at home, it originated as part of an unfinished stage play that Lennon was working on at the time entitled "The Ballad of John and Yoko."
The J Geils Band were at #1 on the US singles chart in 1981 with “Centerfold,” Roxy Music had the UK #1 single with “Jealous Guy.”
In 1965, the Tailor And Cutter Magazine ran an article asking The Rolling Stones to start wearing ties. The current fashion did not include wearing ties with shirts and many tie-makers were facing financial disaster. Mick Jagger said of the appeal, “The trouble with a tie is that it could dangle in the soup. It is also something extra to which a fan can hang when you are trying to get in and out of a theater.” Yeah, I have the same problem.
Clarence "Frogman" Henry is 72.
Robin Luke ("Susie Darlin'") turns 67.
Ruth Pointer- Pointer Sisters is 63.
Derek Longmuir - Bay City Rollers (1955)
Zach Lind - Jimmy Eat World (1976)
Guitarist Paul Atkinson - Zombies (1946)
Carrie Underwood (1983)
Terry Hall- Specials (1959)
They Are Missed:
Free guitarist Paul Kossoff died in 1976 from undetermined causes at the age of twenty-six on a London-to-New York flight. He had a history of heart disease.
Gary Thain, bass player with Uriah Heep died of a drug overdose in 1976 (age 28).
Born on this day in 1953, Ricky Wilson, guitarist, The B-52's. Wilson died on October 12th 1985 of AIDs.
Luther Ingram died of heart failure in 2007.
In 1982, Ozzy Osbourne's rhythm guitarist and former Quiet Riot member Randy Rhoads was killed when the plane he was riding in crashed. The tour bus driver, Andrew Aycock, talked the band's keyboardist, Don Airey, into taking a test flight in a '55 Beechcraft Bonanza, the joyride ended, and the plane landed safely. Then Aycock took Rhoads and Rachel Youngblood on another flight and attempts were made to "buzz" the tour bus. The left wing clipped the bus, which sent the plane spiraling into a nearby house and bursting into flames.
History:
Jefferson Airplane became Jefferson Starship in 1974.
In 1957, Elvis Presley bought Graceland mansion for $102,500.
"Our Song" was released by Tom and Jerry in 1958. Later they used their real names, which were Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.
Bob Dylan released his self-titled debut album in 1962.
The third album from KISS, "Dressed to Kill," was released in 1975.
In 1980, Elvis Presley's autopsy report was a part of the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners' case against Dr. George Nichopoulos. Presley's former personal physician was accused of overprescribing drugs to the King of Rock 'n' Roll. He later has his medical license revoked.
In 2005, 50 Cent became the first solo artist to have three singles in the US Top 5. “Candy Shop” was at #1 with “How We Do” by The Game, (a member of his G-Unit group) at #4 and “Disco Inferno” at #5.
The second Beatles Anthology series was released in 1996. The album featured “Real Love,” a track the remaining members of the Beatles recorded using an old demo track of John Lennon's. The song was first recorded by Lennon in 1977 with a handheld tape recorder on his piano at home, it originated as part of an unfinished stage play that Lennon was working on at the time entitled "The Ballad of John and Yoko."
The J Geils Band were at #1 on the US singles chart in 1981 with “Centerfold,” Roxy Music had the UK #1 single with “Jealous Guy.”
In 1965, the Tailor And Cutter Magazine ran an article asking The Rolling Stones to start wearing ties. The current fashion did not include wearing ties with shirts and many tie-makers were facing financial disaster. Mick Jagger said of the appeal, “The trouble with a tie is that it could dangle in the soup. It is also something extra to which a fan can hang when you are trying to get in and out of a theater.” Yeah, I have the same problem.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Confessions of a vinyl addict
Apa Chappel pulls a Tall Dwarves record from his collection. He particularly likes Chris Knox's cover art.
Written By By REBECCA THOMSON - The Wellingtonian
Cassettes have long gone, CDs are on their way out, but records are here to stay, according to collector and DJ Apa Chappel.
Last year, the Mt Cook resident formed the Wellington Vinyl Club, which holds bring-and-buys at the Southern Cross.
Chappel has boxed up about 800 records to take to the next meeting, but still up to 4000 lining his living walls.
"That's a small number compared to some collectors, he said. "There are guys out there who have 10,000 to 20,000 records. One guy I know claims to have 100,000."
Chappel bought his first record, by hip hop artist Pharoahe Monch, about 10 years ago, but started collecting seriously about three years ago.
"It all started with DJing and it's turned into a collection. I spend $100 to $400 a week it's an addiction."
His collection is shelved according to genre. There's everything from Kiwi classics The Datsuns, Dragon and Tall Dwarves and hip hop to movie soundtracks and Neil Diamond.
It's too hard to pick a favourite, but Chappel's gems include an audio recording of Lady Diana and Prince Charles' wedding, a number of old radio shows and self-help piece Relax with Self Hypnosis.
"You just can't get that sort of stuff on CD," he said.
Real Groovy and Slowboat Records are Chappel's favourite haunts, but he also searches online, in second-hand shops and at fairs.
"Last year it was Trade Me, and it still is a bit. Before that is was garage sales, school galas and town fairs, but you have to beat other people off at those. They're popular."
He buys only music available on record, and hasn't bought CDs for years now.
"Everything is on vinyl, even new stuff. What I've noticed about Real Groovy is that 60 to 70 per cent of records are new recordings by new bands.
"Records are fashionable, they're re making a comeback. People like the cover art, and the sound of vinyl is so much better than CD, because CD sound is compressed, vinyl sound isn't."
SOURCE: http://www.stuff.co.nz
Where Are the Beatles Reissues? Enterprising Fans Take Matters Into Their Own Hands
Jerry McCulley
In an era of declining music sales and rapid technological advancement, it’s still hard to fathom the sorry lot of the Beatles canon. Not only is the catalog of rock music’s most successful and influential act still not available for legal digital download, for the most part it hasn’t received even the basic remastering afforded pop music acts with a fraction of the Fab Four’s historical importance and consumer clout. Thus the Beatles catalog continues to be represented by thin-sounding, now two-decade-old digital mastering accomplished at the dawn of the CD era.
Worse, the culprits for the Beatle catalog’s perpetually sorry state of affairs seem to be the surviving band members and the heirs of John Lennon and George Harrison themselves. As partners in the band’s Apple company, they have final say as to what product music distributor EMI is allowed to issue — which, outside of the Anthology series a decade ago and the recent Love collaboration with Cirque du Soleil — hasn’t been much over the course of the 40 years since the band dissolved. Even more inexplicable is the fact that the Apple principles hired a veteran label exec two years ago specifically to develop a reissue program.
Typical of the situation were last year’s rumors — purportedly floated by an EMI insider — that the band was preparing a deluxe 40th anniversary edition of their monumental White Album. Instead, eager fans were eventually directed to the band’s official website, where they were offered a commemorative White Album fountain pen — for $395. And while the upcoming Beatles edition of Rock Band should please video gamers, what of the basic catalog of epochal recordings that inspired it?
Some Fabs fans already know that comprehensive sets of Beatles reissues are already available — they’re just not legally authorized. While an already sizable trove of leaked Beatles outtakes continues to grow (the latest, a radically expanded early version of “Revolution,” surfaced just last month, a cadre of more industrious — if legally unsanctioned — fans strives to preserve the band’s recorded legacy in other ways.
At least three different entities have now issued sonically upgraded versions of the Beatles catalog, usually using pristine vintage vinyl editions as source material for their digital upgrades. The most ambitious is a virtual “label” known as “Purple Chick” (the moniker is part wordplay on two notorious bootleg labels, Great Dane and Yellow Dog), which issues continually upgraded editions of each original Beatles album that include not only its officially released mono/stereo mixes and period singles, but every available alternate mix and studio outtake as well. Some PC editions are only two CDs in length, while their White Album sprawls over a dozen virtual discs.
Purple Chick’s Sgt. Peppers edition
When the separated master four-track recordings of a handful of Sgt. Pepper’s tracks surfaced in late 2007, Purple Chick quickly added yet another volume to its already comprehensive chronicle of the album. It can do so quickly because its releases are virtual, shared on the Internet via torrent, blogs and file sharing services, many of which are difficult to police at best. Then there’s the disclaimer the label adds to the equally accomplished artwork provided with its releases: “Fan Created..NEVER FOR SALE!!!”
In a rare interview with veteran Beatles chronicler Doug Sulpy’s 910 fan site, the anonymous “PC” offered some insight to their motivations: “I'm just making what I'd like to see on my shelves. I am flattered that people seem to like my work but there's no motivation, financial or otherwise, except to please myself.”
The virtual label’s most ambitious project was A/B Road, an 83-volume set chronicling the Beatles’ January, 1969 sessions that eventually yielded Let It Be. Painstakingly assembled from a jumble of film sound outtakes and other sources, the set took a full year to complete. PC has also tackled other personal music obsessions, like the Beach Boys lost Smile sessions and, most recently, an exhaustive, 10-volume chronicle of Buddy Holly’s career.
So if/when September 26 rolls around this year and there’s no official, remastered 40th anniversary edition of Abbey Road available — or, worse, a $395 commemorative fountain pen instead — be advised that Purple Chick already has a version available (three discs worth, in fact) somewhere in cyberspace.
Available now: Purple Chick's Abbey Road
SOURCE: http://www.gibson.com
In an era of declining music sales and rapid technological advancement, it’s still hard to fathom the sorry lot of the Beatles canon. Not only is the catalog of rock music’s most successful and influential act still not available for legal digital download, for the most part it hasn’t received even the basic remastering afforded pop music acts with a fraction of the Fab Four’s historical importance and consumer clout. Thus the Beatles catalog continues to be represented by thin-sounding, now two-decade-old digital mastering accomplished at the dawn of the CD era.
Worse, the culprits for the Beatle catalog’s perpetually sorry state of affairs seem to be the surviving band members and the heirs of John Lennon and George Harrison themselves. As partners in the band’s Apple company, they have final say as to what product music distributor EMI is allowed to issue — which, outside of the Anthology series a decade ago and the recent Love collaboration with Cirque du Soleil — hasn’t been much over the course of the 40 years since the band dissolved. Even more inexplicable is the fact that the Apple principles hired a veteran label exec two years ago specifically to develop a reissue program.
Typical of the situation were last year’s rumors — purportedly floated by an EMI insider — that the band was preparing a deluxe 40th anniversary edition of their monumental White Album. Instead, eager fans were eventually directed to the band’s official website, where they were offered a commemorative White Album fountain pen — for $395. And while the upcoming Beatles edition of Rock Band should please video gamers, what of the basic catalog of epochal recordings that inspired it?
Some Fabs fans already know that comprehensive sets of Beatles reissues are already available — they’re just not legally authorized. While an already sizable trove of leaked Beatles outtakes continues to grow (the latest, a radically expanded early version of “Revolution,” surfaced just last month, a cadre of more industrious — if legally unsanctioned — fans strives to preserve the band’s recorded legacy in other ways.
At least three different entities have now issued sonically upgraded versions of the Beatles catalog, usually using pristine vintage vinyl editions as source material for their digital upgrades. The most ambitious is a virtual “label” known as “Purple Chick” (the moniker is part wordplay on two notorious bootleg labels, Great Dane and Yellow Dog), which issues continually upgraded editions of each original Beatles album that include not only its officially released mono/stereo mixes and period singles, but every available alternate mix and studio outtake as well. Some PC editions are only two CDs in length, while their White Album sprawls over a dozen virtual discs.
Purple Chick’s Sgt. Peppers edition
When the separated master four-track recordings of a handful of Sgt. Pepper’s tracks surfaced in late 2007, Purple Chick quickly added yet another volume to its already comprehensive chronicle of the album. It can do so quickly because its releases are virtual, shared on the Internet via torrent, blogs and file sharing services, many of which are difficult to police at best. Then there’s the disclaimer the label adds to the equally accomplished artwork provided with its releases: “Fan Created..NEVER FOR SALE!!!”
In a rare interview with veteran Beatles chronicler Doug Sulpy’s 910 fan site, the anonymous “PC” offered some insight to their motivations: “I'm just making what I'd like to see on my shelves. I am flattered that people seem to like my work but there's no motivation, financial or otherwise, except to please myself.”
The virtual label’s most ambitious project was A/B Road, an 83-volume set chronicling the Beatles’ January, 1969 sessions that eventually yielded Let It Be. Painstakingly assembled from a jumble of film sound outtakes and other sources, the set took a full year to complete. PC has also tackled other personal music obsessions, like the Beach Boys lost Smile sessions and, most recently, an exhaustive, 10-volume chronicle of Buddy Holly’s career.
So if/when September 26 rolls around this year and there’s no official, remastered 40th anniversary edition of Abbey Road available — or, worse, a $395 commemorative fountain pen instead — be advised that Purple Chick already has a version available (three discs worth, in fact) somewhere in cyberspace.
Available now: Purple Chick's Abbey Road
SOURCE: http://www.gibson.com
Mr. Music
I am continuing our new feature: Ask "Mr. Music." Now in its 23rd year of syndication (1986-2008), Jerry Osborne's weekly Q&A feature will be a regular post every Wednesday from now on. Be sure to stop by Jerry's site (www.jerryosborne.com) for more Mr. Music archives, record price guides, anything Elvis, buy & sell collectibles, record appraisals and much more. I thank Jerry for allowing the reprints.
For The Week Of March 9, 2009
DEAR JERRY: Just a few months ago I spotted a brief mention in one of the New York papers about a portion of Tin Pan Alley being sold.
The most disturbing aspect of this story is a suggestion the new owner should raze all of the existing buildings and construct a new high-rise.
I have read nothing since about this situation. Are those historic music publishing buildings still standing?
Considering the significance of Tin Pan Alley in American music history, you may want to look into this. —Marty Gordon, Gettysburg, Pa.
DEAR MARTY: I do and I did.
First, for readers who missed the story you reference, here is an excerpt from the October 9, 2008 New York Post story, “Tin Pan Alley's Sad Tune,” by Braden Keil, Irene Plagianos and Andy Geller:
“Much to the dismay of tenants and preservationists, five of the buildings on West 28th Street between Broadway and Sixth Avenue — a block that for 60 years was the heart of the songwriting industry — have gone up for sale.
“The five buildings, at 47, 49, 51, 53 and 55 West 28th Street, are being sold as a group for — hold on to your hat in these cacophonous economic times — a mere $44 million.”
The listing agent named at the time was Lois D. Thompson, an associate broker at Coldwell Banker's Syosset (Long Island) office.
I checked the company's web page, which apparently once served as the site for this listing, and it states succinctly: “property is no longer available.”
Now with amplified curiosity, I called Lois Thompson (February 20) and asked for an update on these properties. Unfortunately, the only reply Lois gave is “I can't say anything about that at this time. If and when I can I'll get back to you.”
Mmmmm … very interesting.
For now at least, you know as much about this piece of Tin Pan Alley as most of the world's population.
DEAR JERRY: A very popular Western song is “Little Joe the Wrangler,” one I've heard by many folks, from Marty Robbins and Roger Wagner to the Sons of the Pioneers.
No matter the singer, there is one thing they all have in common. Though a somewhat lengthy tale is told, not a single line or verse is repeated.
I don't know how uncommon this might be, but I can't think of another hit or famous song where every line is new.
Can you name one? —Claude Kellogg, Boston, Mass.
DEAR CLAUDE: This is not a common technique, but it is not unique to “Little Joe the Wrangler.”
It may surprise you to know I don't even have to go beyond Marty Robbins to cite twice that many.
Marty's 4:47 signature song, “El Paso,” has no repeated lines. More impressive is the prequel, “Feleena (From El Paso),” which runs 8:18 with nary a line repeated.
Apart from the genius of Robbins, Rock and Roll poet Chuck Berry contributed several tunes to this category. Among those are “Let It Rock” (1960); “Our Little Rendezvous” (1960); “Promised Land” (1964); and “Memphis, Tennessee” (1959).
Like Marty Robbins did with two “El Paso” adventures, Chuck does with the “Memphis” sequel, “Little Marie” (1964).
As evidenced by these examples, this chorus-free style of writing is mostly found in songs that tell a story, as would be found in a book or any non-musical account of the events.
IZ ZAT SO? Coming up with some Rock Era No. 1 hits with no lines repeated is tough, but here are a couple to at least get you a passing grade if you're quizzed: Roy Orbison's “Running Scared” (1961) and “The Long and Winding Road” (1970), the last hit by the Beatles as a group.
Jeannie C. Riley's 1968 mega-selling “Harper Valley P.T.A.” just barely fails to qualify.
Not until the very last line in the song is there a repeat. Twice in a row she sings “the day my mama socked it to the Harper Valley P.T.A.”
And that is just one “sock” too many.
======================================
"Rockin Records 2009 Edition" is now on sale- call with the code "CVR" and receive $6 off your purchase
Toll-Free: (800) 246-3255
Jerry Osborne's "Rockin' Records" has long been the most popular record guide. Now with 1,104 pages, it is by far the biggest record guide we've ever made. It is regarded throughout the industry as the best available guide, and it is the one accepted by all the major insurance companies.
Call today with the code "CVR" to receive your discount!
CYBERGUIDES The Up-To-Date Record Price Guide
https://protected.ehost.com/jerryosb/cyberguides.htm
For The Week Of March 9, 2009
DEAR JERRY: Just a few months ago I spotted a brief mention in one of the New York papers about a portion of Tin Pan Alley being sold.
The most disturbing aspect of this story is a suggestion the new owner should raze all of the existing buildings and construct a new high-rise.
I have read nothing since about this situation. Are those historic music publishing buildings still standing?
Considering the significance of Tin Pan Alley in American music history, you may want to look into this. —Marty Gordon, Gettysburg, Pa.
DEAR MARTY: I do and I did.
First, for readers who missed the story you reference, here is an excerpt from the October 9, 2008 New York Post story, “Tin Pan Alley's Sad Tune,” by Braden Keil, Irene Plagianos and Andy Geller:
“Much to the dismay of tenants and preservationists, five of the buildings on West 28th Street between Broadway and Sixth Avenue — a block that for 60 years was the heart of the songwriting industry — have gone up for sale.
“The five buildings, at 47, 49, 51, 53 and 55 West 28th Street, are being sold as a group for — hold on to your hat in these cacophonous economic times — a mere $44 million.”
The listing agent named at the time was Lois D. Thompson, an associate broker at Coldwell Banker's Syosset (Long Island) office.
I checked the company's web page, which apparently once served as the site for this listing, and it states succinctly: “property is no longer available.”
Now with amplified curiosity, I called Lois Thompson (February 20) and asked for an update on these properties. Unfortunately, the only reply Lois gave is “I can't say anything about that at this time. If and when I can I'll get back to you.”
Mmmmm … very interesting.
For now at least, you know as much about this piece of Tin Pan Alley as most of the world's population.
DEAR JERRY: A very popular Western song is “Little Joe the Wrangler,” one I've heard by many folks, from Marty Robbins and Roger Wagner to the Sons of the Pioneers.
No matter the singer, there is one thing they all have in common. Though a somewhat lengthy tale is told, not a single line or verse is repeated.
I don't know how uncommon this might be, but I can't think of another hit or famous song where every line is new.
Can you name one? —Claude Kellogg, Boston, Mass.
DEAR CLAUDE: This is not a common technique, but it is not unique to “Little Joe the Wrangler.”
It may surprise you to know I don't even have to go beyond Marty Robbins to cite twice that many.
Marty's 4:47 signature song, “El Paso,” has no repeated lines. More impressive is the prequel, “Feleena (From El Paso),” which runs 8:18 with nary a line repeated.
Apart from the genius of Robbins, Rock and Roll poet Chuck Berry contributed several tunes to this category. Among those are “Let It Rock” (1960); “Our Little Rendezvous” (1960); “Promised Land” (1964); and “Memphis, Tennessee” (1959).
Like Marty Robbins did with two “El Paso” adventures, Chuck does with the “Memphis” sequel, “Little Marie” (1964).
As evidenced by these examples, this chorus-free style of writing is mostly found in songs that tell a story, as would be found in a book or any non-musical account of the events.
IZ ZAT SO? Coming up with some Rock Era No. 1 hits with no lines repeated is tough, but here are a couple to at least get you a passing grade if you're quizzed: Roy Orbison's “Running Scared” (1961) and “The Long and Winding Road” (1970), the last hit by the Beatles as a group.
Jeannie C. Riley's 1968 mega-selling “Harper Valley P.T.A.” just barely fails to qualify.
Not until the very last line in the song is there a repeat. Twice in a row she sings “the day my mama socked it to the Harper Valley P.T.A.”
And that is just one “sock” too many.
======================================
"Rockin Records 2009 Edition" is now on sale- call with the code "CVR" and receive $6 off your purchase
Toll-Free: (800) 246-3255
Jerry Osborne's "Rockin' Records" has long been the most popular record guide. Now with 1,104 pages, it is by far the biggest record guide we've ever made. It is regarded throughout the industry as the best available guide, and it is the one accepted by all the major insurance companies.
Call today with the code "CVR" to receive your discount!
CYBERGUIDES The Up-To-Date Record Price Guide
https://protected.ehost.com/jerryosb/cyberguides.htm
Music News & Notes
Magik Markers Make the Magic Happen in May
Magik Markers are looking to May 5th to release their new album, Balf Quarry. It will be released on Drag City Records. The album was named after an old stone pit just outside of Hartford, Connecticut, It will be released on both CD and vinyl.
The Magik Markers formed in Hartford, CT, in 2001, featuring guitarist/vocalist Elisa Ambrogio, drummer Pete Nolan, and bassist Leah Quimby. Inspired by no-wave and hardcore, the trio developed a free-rocking sound that made the most of their stream-of-consciousness approach.
====================================
Doves New Album
Doves will release their fourth album, Kingdom of Rust, on April 7th on Astralwerks. To get the party started right, they've offered a song available for free, titled Jetstream. This will be the first official full length album since 2005's Some Cities.
====================================
Placebo announce self-released sixth album
Not content to let new bands hog the eyeliner, Placebo have announced the release of their sixth album, Battle for the Sun. The "optimistic" and "positive" LP will be released on 8 June.
"We've made a record about choosing life, and choosing to live, about stepping out of the darkness and into the light," frontman Brian Molko told NME.
To capture all this cheeriness, the band travelled to beautiful, sunny, er, Toronto, recording with Dave Bottrill, producer of Tool's Lateralus. The album was mixed by Alan Moulder, who has worked with My Bloody Valentine, Nine Inch Nails and Smashing Pumpkins.
Battle for the Sun is Placebo's first album since parting ways with Steve Hewitt, their drummer of 11 years. They now have a 22-year-old Californian named Steve Forrest in charge of hitting things.
The band have also left their long-time label, Virgin Records, self-funding the album and releasing it in an independent deal with Pias. "I'm very optimistic about the future," Molko said. "I'm in a positive frame of mind and a good headspace."
Indeed, instead of sulking in his bedroom, Molko and his bandmates are busily autographing box sets. Deluxe £70 editions of Battle for the Sun are now available for pre-order, with the first 500 buyers receiving signed copies. The set also includes a live CD, a DVD of last year's performance at Angkor Wat, a making-of DVD, vinyl LP, and two books.
==================================
New Vinyl Releases
Black Joe Lewis: Tell 'Em What Your Name Is! (vinyl)
Black Sabbath: Heaven & Hell (remastered vinyl)
Black Sabbath: Heaven & Hell (remastered vinyl)
Black Sabbath: Live Evil (remastered vinyl)
Black Sabbath: Mob Rules (remastered vinyl)
Bonnie Prince Billy: Beware (vinyl
Decemberists: Hazards of Love (vinyl)
Eleni Mandell: Artificial Fire (vinyl)
Joy Division: Leigh Rock Festival 1979 (import vinyl)
The Loved Ones: Distractions EP (vinyl)
Principles of Geometry: Interstate Highway System (vinyl)
Say Hi: Oohs & Aahs (vinyl)
Various Artists Watchmen (soundtrack) (vinyl)
Violens: V EP
Wavves: Wavvves (vinyl)
White Lies: How to Lose My Life (vinyl)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Zero (single)
==================================
Bloc Party To Release New Remix Album
Featuring Armand Van Helden re-working...
Bloc Party are to release a remixed edition of their latest album 'Intimacy' on May 11th.
The album includes remixes from the likes of Villains, Filthy Dukes and Mogwai.
An Armand Van Helden re-working of 'Signs', which also features on the album, will be released as a single on April 27th.
The album will be available on both CD and triple vinyl.
The tracklisting for 'Intimacy Remixed' is:
'Ares' (Villains remix)
'Mercury' (Hervé Is In Disarray remix)
'Halo' (We Have Band Dub)
'Biko' (Mogwai remix)
'Trojan Horse' (John B remix)
'Signs' (Armand Van Helden remix)
'One Month Off' (Filthy Dukes remix)
'Zephyrus' (Phase One remix)
'Talons' (Phones RIP remix)
'Better Than Heaven' (No Age remix)
'Ion Square' (Banjo or Freakout remix)
'Your Visits are Getting Shorter' (Double D Remix)
=================================
Madonna to Record New Songs for Greatest Hits Collection
Madonna’s 25-year tenure with Warner Music will come to an end with a new greatest hits compilation due out in September, the Material Girl’s management told People.
“Madonna does have plans to go into the studio to record a few new songs for this album,” says Madonna’s publicist Liz Rosenberg. “We’re hoping to have a greatest hits package come out in September. We’re all very excited about it.”
=================================
New Skynryd LP
Lynyrd Skynyrd has signed with Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records and are planning to release a new album later this year. It will be their first album of new material since 2003's Vicious Cycle.
=================================
Pete Seeger's 90th Birthday Celebration
Dave Matthews, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, John Mellencamp and Emmylou Harris are among the dozens of musicians who will gather and celebrate American folk music legend Pete Seeger's 90th birthday with a gala concert at Madison Square Garden on May 3.
The event, dubbed "The Clearwater Concert: Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders," will raise funds and awareness for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, an environmental organization founded by Seeger to preserve and protect the Hudson River.
Other artists scheduled to appear include Steve Earle, Joan Baez, Juanes, Richie Havens, Kris Kirstofferson, Tom Morello, Billy Bragg, Michael Franti and Ben Harper.
Magik Markers are looking to May 5th to release their new album, Balf Quarry. It will be released on Drag City Records. The album was named after an old stone pit just outside of Hartford, Connecticut, It will be released on both CD and vinyl.
The Magik Markers formed in Hartford, CT, in 2001, featuring guitarist/vocalist Elisa Ambrogio, drummer Pete Nolan, and bassist Leah Quimby. Inspired by no-wave and hardcore, the trio developed a free-rocking sound that made the most of their stream-of-consciousness approach.
====================================
Doves New Album
Doves will release their fourth album, Kingdom of Rust, on April 7th on Astralwerks. To get the party started right, they've offered a song available for free, titled Jetstream. This will be the first official full length album since 2005's Some Cities.
====================================
Placebo announce self-released sixth album
Not content to let new bands hog the eyeliner, Placebo have announced the release of their sixth album, Battle for the Sun. The "optimistic" and "positive" LP will be released on 8 June.
"We've made a record about choosing life, and choosing to live, about stepping out of the darkness and into the light," frontman Brian Molko told NME.
To capture all this cheeriness, the band travelled to beautiful, sunny, er, Toronto, recording with Dave Bottrill, producer of Tool's Lateralus. The album was mixed by Alan Moulder, who has worked with My Bloody Valentine, Nine Inch Nails and Smashing Pumpkins.
Battle for the Sun is Placebo's first album since parting ways with Steve Hewitt, their drummer of 11 years. They now have a 22-year-old Californian named Steve Forrest in charge of hitting things.
The band have also left their long-time label, Virgin Records, self-funding the album and releasing it in an independent deal with Pias. "I'm very optimistic about the future," Molko said. "I'm in a positive frame of mind and a good headspace."
Indeed, instead of sulking in his bedroom, Molko and his bandmates are busily autographing box sets. Deluxe £70 editions of Battle for the Sun are now available for pre-order, with the first 500 buyers receiving signed copies. The set also includes a live CD, a DVD of last year's performance at Angkor Wat, a making-of DVD, vinyl LP, and two books.
==================================
New Vinyl Releases
Black Joe Lewis: Tell 'Em What Your Name Is! (vinyl)
Black Sabbath: Heaven & Hell (remastered vinyl)
Black Sabbath: Heaven & Hell (remastered vinyl)
Black Sabbath: Live Evil (remastered vinyl)
Black Sabbath: Mob Rules (remastered vinyl)
Bonnie Prince Billy: Beware (vinyl
Decemberists: Hazards of Love (vinyl)
Eleni Mandell: Artificial Fire (vinyl)
Joy Division: Leigh Rock Festival 1979 (import vinyl)
The Loved Ones: Distractions EP (vinyl)
Principles of Geometry: Interstate Highway System (vinyl)
Say Hi: Oohs & Aahs (vinyl)
Various Artists Watchmen (soundtrack) (vinyl)
Violens: V EP
Wavves: Wavvves (vinyl)
White Lies: How to Lose My Life (vinyl)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Zero (single)
==================================
Bloc Party To Release New Remix Album
Featuring Armand Van Helden re-working...
Bloc Party are to release a remixed edition of their latest album 'Intimacy' on May 11th.
The album includes remixes from the likes of Villains, Filthy Dukes and Mogwai.
An Armand Van Helden re-working of 'Signs', which also features on the album, will be released as a single on April 27th.
The album will be available on both CD and triple vinyl.
The tracklisting for 'Intimacy Remixed' is:
'Ares' (Villains remix)
'Mercury' (Hervé Is In Disarray remix)
'Halo' (We Have Band Dub)
'Biko' (Mogwai remix)
'Trojan Horse' (John B remix)
'Signs' (Armand Van Helden remix)
'One Month Off' (Filthy Dukes remix)
'Zephyrus' (Phase One remix)
'Talons' (Phones RIP remix)
'Better Than Heaven' (No Age remix)
'Ion Square' (Banjo or Freakout remix)
'Your Visits are Getting Shorter' (Double D Remix)
=================================
Madonna to Record New Songs for Greatest Hits Collection
Madonna’s 25-year tenure with Warner Music will come to an end with a new greatest hits compilation due out in September, the Material Girl’s management told People.
“Madonna does have plans to go into the studio to record a few new songs for this album,” says Madonna’s publicist Liz Rosenberg. “We’re hoping to have a greatest hits package come out in September. We’re all very excited about it.”
=================================
New Skynryd LP
Lynyrd Skynyrd has signed with Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records and are planning to release a new album later this year. It will be their first album of new material since 2003's Vicious Cycle.
=================================
Pete Seeger's 90th Birthday Celebration
Dave Matthews, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, John Mellencamp and Emmylou Harris are among the dozens of musicians who will gather and celebrate American folk music legend Pete Seeger's 90th birthday with a gala concert at Madison Square Garden on May 3.
The event, dubbed "The Clearwater Concert: Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders," will raise funds and awareness for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, an environmental organization founded by Seeger to preserve and protect the Hudson River.
Other artists scheduled to appear include Steve Earle, Joan Baez, Juanes, Richie Havens, Kris Kirstofferson, Tom Morello, Billy Bragg, Michael Franti and Ben Harper.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Bird & Animal Names in Rock & Roll History
Throughout music history there have been many bands that have adopted an "animal" or "bird" monikers to represent their band and their sound. Some artists even have a last name that fits into this category and in this continuing article series we will explore some of the unique "animal" and "bird" names and the diverse music that has been created by these groups or individuals.
As I prepared for this project, I did not realize the amount of bands and artists who fall into the category. There are so many new bands like Fleet Foxes, Minus The Bear, Weird Owl and Andrew Bird, Animal Collective, just to name a few, to add to the growing list (which is no particular order). If you have a particular band or artist that fits into this article series, please email me and I can add them to the growing and seemingly endless list. Look for this feature every Tuesday and Thursday. This should be a fun series!
First and foremost and fittingly leading the pack is of course the 1960's group led by Eric Burdon, appropriately called The Animals. The group was one of the first R&B-based bands from the first wave of the British Invasion. With their breakthrough hit “House Of The Rising Sun,” which hit number one on the Billboard charts in 1964, the Animals went on to record several Top 40 hits including: “Don t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place,” the rebellious “Its My Life” and “Dont Bring Me Down,” among many others. After many personnel changes, the band was renamed Eric Burdon and the Animals and secured Top 40 fame with hits like “See See Rider,” a Top Ten hit, “San Franciscan Nights,” and the spacey psychedelia of “Sky Pilot.”
The popular myth is that their audience called the group “Animals,” thus their name, but actually Burdon and band member John Steel knew of a gang led by a crazy Army vet who called himself “Animal Hog.” He was a symbol of rebellion to the band members and inspired them to name their band the Animals. Eric Burdon recorded two albums with the soul/pop-rock group War and scored a Top Ten hit with the narrative ditty called “Spill The Wine.”
Do you remember a group called the Teddy Bears? The group managed to secure a number one hit with a song called “To Know Him Is To Love Him,” which was written by band member Phil Spector.
In the late 50’s, Spector wanted to break into the music business so he booked a session at the Gold Star Studios. Studio time cost $15 an hour plus an additional $6.00 for a reel of blank tape. But Spector's first obstacle to becoming a recording star and record producer was raising the $40. The first ten came from his mother. He then enlisted the help of some of his friends to contribute the rest. One, a sixteen year old student at Fairfax High School named Annette Kleinbard, contributed the final ten dollars if she could be included in the group. The group picked their name from a very popular tune at the time "Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear," which was a US number one hit for Elvis Presley during the summer of 1957.
In the summer of 1958, Spector and his friends recorded a cut called "You Don't Know My Little Pet." In September of 1958, a deejay in Fargo, North Dakota, flipped the single over and played the B-side which was "To Know Him Is To Love Him." Soon orders were flying in for the new song and the Teddy Bears were a national hit, even appearing on American Bandstand with Dick Clark. "To Know Him Is To Love Him" became a number one record, selling more than a million copies before Christmas. So at 17, Phil Spector had written, arranged, played, sung, and produced the best-selling record in the country. Although subsequent releases by the Teddy Bears were well-recorded pop, they did not sell, and within a year of the debut, Spector disbanded the group.
Now a famous “one hit wonder,” the Teddy Bears disbanded, in part, because of Spector’s reluctance to be a performer. The rest is rock and roll history, as he became a world famous record producer, incorporating his “wall of sound” recording production method for such artists as The Crystals, The Ronettes, Darlene Love, The Righteous Brothers and of course the Beatles (“Let It Be”) among many others.
Ross Bagdasarian created the fictional character band and a multi-million empire centered around three friendly rodents with his novelty act the Chipmunks. Bagdasarian adopted the name David Seville after executives at Liberty Records told him his name was too difficult to pronounce. Seville named the three chipmunks after executives at Liberty Records. Alvin was named after Al Bennett, the president of the company; Simon was named after Bennett’s partner Si Waronker and Theodore was named after Ted Keep, a recording engineer. Seville’s own mischievous son inspired the role of Alvin and Seville was inspired to name the sped up voices of his fictional group, The Chipmunks, after having to stop in Yosemite, California when a chipmunk in the road refused to budge and he had to stop his car.
In 1958, Bagdasarian began experimenting with a novel technique, recording normal vocals, but then speeding up the playback on a tape machine. When the tape was played back at double speed, they would sound a full octave higher in pitch, at normal tempo. The voices of the group were all performed by Bagdasarian and the process yielded the number one hit "Witch Doctor" in early 1958, and the phenomenon snowballed later that year when his Christmas gimmick single “The Chipmunk Song” spent four weeks at the top of the charts.
Although Bagdasarian died in 1972, his son Ross Jr. revived Alvin, Simon, and Theodore in 1979 on Saturday mornings and on the 1980 album Chipmunk Punk. The series became more popular than it was in the '60s, and albums of the Chipmunks singing country, Christmas, rock, and Hollywood favorites were big sellers, though they didn't enjoy chart success.
In the next article we will continue exploring more “animal” groups, including the Turtles and the Monkees.
Tidbits:
The Animals:
The original line-up comprised Eric Burdon (vocals), Alan Price (organ and keyboards), Hilton Valentine (guitar), John Steel (drums), and Bryan "Chas" Chandler (bass)and has gone through various incarnations since.
The original Animals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Their influence can be heard in artists as diverse as The Doors, Joe Cocker, The Cult, Frijid Pink, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Janis Joplin and Fine Young Cannibals and many more.
In 2003, the band's version of "House of the Rising Sun" ranked #122 on Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list. Their 1965 hit single "We Gotta Get out of This Place" was ranked #233 on Rolling Stone's The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list that was put together in 2004. Both songs are included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
The original Animals line-up of Burdon, Price, Valentine, Chandler, and Steel reunited for a benefit concert in Newcastle in 1968.
Chandler died in 1996, putting an end to the full original line-up.
Buy Animals Music
Teddy Bears:
Spector’s inspiration to write the song actually came from a photograph of his father’s tombstone which read “to know him is to love him.”
Kleinbard was involved in an auto accident in September 1959, but recovered and attempted a solo singing career. She had a number of recording contracts, but enjoyed success as a songwriter. She was a co-writer of "The Nights the Lights Went Out In Georgia" a gold record by Vicki Lawrence in 1973 and a country hit for Reba McEntire in 1992. She also co-wrote "Hey Little Cobra" for the Ripchords and "Gonna Fly Now" the theme from the first Rocky movie.
Spector was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a "non-performer" in 1989. He is truly one of the legends of modern pop music.
After the Teddy Bears broke up, Phil Spector moved back to New York, where he worked with Leiber and Stoller in 1960. With Leiber, he co-wrote "Spanish Harlem," a massive hit for ex-Drifter Ben E. King. Spector also played guitar on the Drifters' "On Broadway."
Buy "To Know Him is to Love Him
The Chipmunks & Dave Seville:
In 1959, the Chipmunks (Seville) won three Grammy Awards for Best Recording for Children, Best Comedy Performance, and Best Engineered Record - Non-Classical for the song "The Chipmunk Song." (Was also nominated for Record of the Year, but did not win.)
In 1961, Seville won a Grammy Award for Best Album for Children for the album “Let's All Sing with The Chipmunks.”
As their popularity grew, the Chipmunks' voices were recorded onto audiotape by voice talent talking or singing at half the normal speed. The technique was by no means new to the Chipmunks. For example, the high and low pitched characters in The Wizard of Oz were achieved by speeding up and slowing down vocal recordings.
The Chipmunk’s recorded numerous novelty songs, prime time animated specials, record albums and were featured in a Saturday morning cartoon series.
The words of the song “Witch Doctor” are nonsense: "Oo-ee, oo-ah-ah, ting-tang, walla-walla, bing-bang." The "Walla Walla" part of the song was just thrown in as a reference to Ross Bagdasarian's uncle who lived in Walla Walla, Washington.
As I prepared for this project, I did not realize the amount of bands and artists who fall into the category. There are so many new bands like Fleet Foxes, Minus The Bear, Weird Owl and Andrew Bird, Animal Collective, just to name a few, to add to the growing list (which is no particular order). If you have a particular band or artist that fits into this article series, please email me and I can add them to the growing and seemingly endless list. Look for this feature every Tuesday and Thursday. This should be a fun series!
First and foremost and fittingly leading the pack is of course the 1960's group led by Eric Burdon, appropriately called The Animals. The group was one of the first R&B-based bands from the first wave of the British Invasion. With their breakthrough hit “House Of The Rising Sun,” which hit number one on the Billboard charts in 1964, the Animals went on to record several Top 40 hits including: “Don t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place,” the rebellious “Its My Life” and “Dont Bring Me Down,” among many others. After many personnel changes, the band was renamed Eric Burdon and the Animals and secured Top 40 fame with hits like “See See Rider,” a Top Ten hit, “San Franciscan Nights,” and the spacey psychedelia of “Sky Pilot.”
The popular myth is that their audience called the group “Animals,” thus their name, but actually Burdon and band member John Steel knew of a gang led by a crazy Army vet who called himself “Animal Hog.” He was a symbol of rebellion to the band members and inspired them to name their band the Animals. Eric Burdon recorded two albums with the soul/pop-rock group War and scored a Top Ten hit with the narrative ditty called “Spill The Wine.”
Do you remember a group called the Teddy Bears? The group managed to secure a number one hit with a song called “To Know Him Is To Love Him,” which was written by band member Phil Spector.
In the late 50’s, Spector wanted to break into the music business so he booked a session at the Gold Star Studios. Studio time cost $15 an hour plus an additional $6.00 for a reel of blank tape. But Spector's first obstacle to becoming a recording star and record producer was raising the $40. The first ten came from his mother. He then enlisted the help of some of his friends to contribute the rest. One, a sixteen year old student at Fairfax High School named Annette Kleinbard, contributed the final ten dollars if she could be included in the group. The group picked their name from a very popular tune at the time "Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear," which was a US number one hit for Elvis Presley during the summer of 1957.
In the summer of 1958, Spector and his friends recorded a cut called "You Don't Know My Little Pet." In September of 1958, a deejay in Fargo, North Dakota, flipped the single over and played the B-side which was "To Know Him Is To Love Him." Soon orders were flying in for the new song and the Teddy Bears were a national hit, even appearing on American Bandstand with Dick Clark. "To Know Him Is To Love Him" became a number one record, selling more than a million copies before Christmas. So at 17, Phil Spector had written, arranged, played, sung, and produced the best-selling record in the country. Although subsequent releases by the Teddy Bears were well-recorded pop, they did not sell, and within a year of the debut, Spector disbanded the group.
Now a famous “one hit wonder,” the Teddy Bears disbanded, in part, because of Spector’s reluctance to be a performer. The rest is rock and roll history, as he became a world famous record producer, incorporating his “wall of sound” recording production method for such artists as The Crystals, The Ronettes, Darlene Love, The Righteous Brothers and of course the Beatles (“Let It Be”) among many others.
Ross Bagdasarian created the fictional character band and a multi-million empire centered around three friendly rodents with his novelty act the Chipmunks. Bagdasarian adopted the name David Seville after executives at Liberty Records told him his name was too difficult to pronounce. Seville named the three chipmunks after executives at Liberty Records. Alvin was named after Al Bennett, the president of the company; Simon was named after Bennett’s partner Si Waronker and Theodore was named after Ted Keep, a recording engineer. Seville’s own mischievous son inspired the role of Alvin and Seville was inspired to name the sped up voices of his fictional group, The Chipmunks, after having to stop in Yosemite, California when a chipmunk in the road refused to budge and he had to stop his car.
In 1958, Bagdasarian began experimenting with a novel technique, recording normal vocals, but then speeding up the playback on a tape machine. When the tape was played back at double speed, they would sound a full octave higher in pitch, at normal tempo. The voices of the group were all performed by Bagdasarian and the process yielded the number one hit "Witch Doctor" in early 1958, and the phenomenon snowballed later that year when his Christmas gimmick single “The Chipmunk Song” spent four weeks at the top of the charts.
Although Bagdasarian died in 1972, his son Ross Jr. revived Alvin, Simon, and Theodore in 1979 on Saturday mornings and on the 1980 album Chipmunk Punk. The series became more popular than it was in the '60s, and albums of the Chipmunks singing country, Christmas, rock, and Hollywood favorites were big sellers, though they didn't enjoy chart success.
In the next article we will continue exploring more “animal” groups, including the Turtles and the Monkees.
Tidbits:
The Animals:
The original line-up comprised Eric Burdon (vocals), Alan Price (organ and keyboards), Hilton Valentine (guitar), John Steel (drums), and Bryan "Chas" Chandler (bass)and has gone through various incarnations since.
The original Animals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Their influence can be heard in artists as diverse as The Doors, Joe Cocker, The Cult, Frijid Pink, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Janis Joplin and Fine Young Cannibals and many more.
In 2003, the band's version of "House of the Rising Sun" ranked #122 on Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list. Their 1965 hit single "We Gotta Get out of This Place" was ranked #233 on Rolling Stone's The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list that was put together in 2004. Both songs are included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
The original Animals line-up of Burdon, Price, Valentine, Chandler, and Steel reunited for a benefit concert in Newcastle in 1968.
Chandler died in 1996, putting an end to the full original line-up.
Buy Animals Music
Teddy Bears:
Spector’s inspiration to write the song actually came from a photograph of his father’s tombstone which read “to know him is to love him.”
Kleinbard was involved in an auto accident in September 1959, but recovered and attempted a solo singing career. She had a number of recording contracts, but enjoyed success as a songwriter. She was a co-writer of "The Nights the Lights Went Out In Georgia" a gold record by Vicki Lawrence in 1973 and a country hit for Reba McEntire in 1992. She also co-wrote "Hey Little Cobra" for the Ripchords and "Gonna Fly Now" the theme from the first Rocky movie.
Spector was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a "non-performer" in 1989. He is truly one of the legends of modern pop music.
After the Teddy Bears broke up, Phil Spector moved back to New York, where he worked with Leiber and Stoller in 1960. With Leiber, he co-wrote "Spanish Harlem," a massive hit for ex-Drifter Ben E. King. Spector also played guitar on the Drifters' "On Broadway."
Buy "To Know Him is to Love Him
The Chipmunks & Dave Seville:
In 1959, the Chipmunks (Seville) won three Grammy Awards for Best Recording for Children, Best Comedy Performance, and Best Engineered Record - Non-Classical for the song "The Chipmunk Song." (Was also nominated for Record of the Year, but did not win.)
In 1961, Seville won a Grammy Award for Best Album for Children for the album “Let's All Sing with The Chipmunks.”
As their popularity grew, the Chipmunks' voices were recorded onto audiotape by voice talent talking or singing at half the normal speed. The technique was by no means new to the Chipmunks. For example, the high and low pitched characters in The Wizard of Oz were achieved by speeding up and slowing down vocal recordings.
The Chipmunk’s recorded numerous novelty songs, prime time animated specials, record albums and were featured in a Saturday morning cartoon series.
The words of the song “Witch Doctor” are nonsense: "Oo-ee, oo-ah-ah, ting-tang, walla-walla, bing-bang." The "Walla Walla" part of the song was just thrown in as a reference to Ross Bagdasarian's uncle who lived in Walla Walla, Washington.
Bird & Animal Band Names Feature
This from the folks at Rolling Stone: their list of the top animal bands (the Beatles were banned for some odd reason as were all 'bug' bands) is listed below. I have recently began a great series of "Birds & Animals Groups in Rock and Roll History" at my new writing assignment, www.musicstack.com. I will try and cover all the bands with a Bird & Animal moniker (mine will include bugs, insects and even fish!), no small feat I will admit, because if you name an animal, there probably has been a group that has used the name. I will start to post the articles here as well, there are a lot of interesting and fascinating stories behind the names!
Rolling Stones' Readers’ Rock List: Animal Bands
1. Animal Collective
2. Eagles
3. The Animals
4. Fleet Foxes
5. Grizzly Bear
6. Modest Mouse
7. Super Furry Animals
8. Cat Power
9. Panda Bear
10. Wolfmother
11. The Monkees
12. Def Leppard
13. Steppenwolf
14. Wolf Parade
15. Phish
16. The Byrds
17. Gorillaz
18. The Turtles
19. The Yardbirds
20. Dr. Dog
Rolling Stones' Readers’ Rock List: Animal Bands
1. Animal Collective
2. Eagles
3. The Animals
4. Fleet Foxes
5. Grizzly Bear
6. Modest Mouse
7. Super Furry Animals
8. Cat Power
9. Panda Bear
10. Wolfmother
11. The Monkees
12. Def Leppard
13. Steppenwolf
14. Wolf Parade
15. Phish
16. The Byrds
17. Gorillaz
18. The Turtles
19. The Yardbirds
20. Dr. Dog
Music News & Notes
KAMELOT Keyboardist's SONS OF SEASONS Announce Live Dates For Germany, Reveal Cover Art For Debut Album Special Edition Featuring EPICA Vocalist
SONS OF SEASONS, founded by KAMELOT keyboardist Oliver Palotai, have revealed the cover art for the limited edition version of their debut album, Gods Of Vermin, which is different from the standard edition. It features EPICA vocalist Simone Simons, who also makes a guest appearance on the album.
==============================
Elvis Items On Auction Block
Gotta Have Rock and Roll (www.gottahaverockandroll.com) started an on-line auction today for over 500 lots of Elvis Presley owned items and other Elvis memorabilia. The auction runs through March 25.
The top items in the auction:
Lot #506: White Wm. Knabe & Co. Grand Piano Used at Graceland - Minimum Bid $500,000
Lot #001: Elvis' Madison Square Garden Jumpsuit - Blue with Gold Lining - $100,000
Lot #309: Hound Dog Christmas Oil Painting by Ralph Wolfe Cowan - $25,000
Lot #310: Praying Elvis Oil Painting by Ralph Wolfe Cowan - $25,000
Lot #311: Pink Cadillac Oil Painting by Ralph Wolfe Cowan - $25,000
Lot #015: Elvis Presley Signed Seventh Degree Black Belt Karate Card with Fingerprints - $10,000
Lot #011: Elvis Presley Owned and Worn Silver & Turquoise Belt - $8,000
Lot #005: Elvis Presley Owned and Worn Black Pants and Shirt with IC Costume Label - $8,000
Lot #012: Elvis Presley Owned and Worn 14kt Gold and Diamond Owl Ring - $5,000
Lot #013: Elvis Presley Owned and Worn Solid 14kt Gold Diamond Pave Bracelet - $5,000
For those with a little less money, there are a number of Presley albums, press books, lobby cards and other ephemera available for under $100.
==============================
Dylan's New LP
Columbia Records has officially announced an April 28 release date for Bob Dylan's 46th album, called "Together Through Life."
The album comes on the heels of the critically acclaimed "Modern Times," "Love and Theft" and "Time Out of Mind" Those three releases have led to a huge career resurgence for the icon, winning multiple Grammys and each selling over a million copies.
The album was recorded late last year and is based on classic styles from the Chess and Sun recordings of the 1950's. In an interview on his sight, Dylan commented.
". . . the old Chess records, the Sun records. . . I think that’s my favorite sound for a record.
"I like the mood of those records - the intensity. The sound is uncluttered. There’s power and suspense. The whole vibration feels like it could be coming from inside your mind. It’s alive. It’s right there. Kind of sticks in your head like a toothache."
In discussing the change in sound from his last album, Modern Times:
"All the Modern Times songs were written and performed in the widest range possible so they had a little bit of everything. These new songs have more of a romantic edge.
"These songs don’t need to cover the same ground. The songs on Modern Times songs brought my repertoire up to date, and the light was directed in a certain way. You have to have somebody in mind as an audience otherwise there’s no point.
"There didn’t seem to be any general consensus among my listeners. Some people preferred my first period songs. Some, the second. Some, the Christian period. Some, the post Colombian. Some, the Pre-Raphaelite. Some people prefer my songs from the nineties. I see that my audience now doesn’t particular care what period the songs are from. They feel style and substance in a more visceral way and let it go at that."
==============================
Bad Co Tour?
That one-off performance by Bad Company must have gone pretty well as the band has announced on its website:
"Just announced: Bad Company to tour in 2009! Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke have announced that Bad Co will perform together again. Dates to be announced soon."
==============================
ELP Return?
Carl Palmer's website is hinting at a possible Emerson, Lake and Palmer reunion tour.
"2009 is shaping up to be one of Palmer's busiest years in his career, that began with The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown and spanned four decades plus. In addition to select dates with the Carl Palmer Band, Palmer will return to his drum kit, propelling the powerful sound of the original ASIA. There is also talk of an ELP reunion tour in the fall."
==============================
Kid Rock/Lynryd Skynyrd Tour
Following on the heels of their successful “Rock and Rebels” tour together last year, Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd will teamup once again for another trek this summer. The tour will kick off June 26th in West Palm Beach, Florida. Tickets for the shows go on sale March 20th at Live Nation’s Website. Like last time, Rock will be backed by the 11-piece Twisted Brown Trucker Band.
==============================
Mötley Crüe - Crue Fest 2
Mötley Crüe will be joined by Godsmack, Theory of a Deadman, Drowning Pool and Charm City Devils on the Crüe Fest 2: The White Trash Circus tour, the band announced at a Fuse TV press conference yesterday (March 16).
The band will celebrate the 20th anniversary of "Dr. Feelgood," its first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, by performing the album in its entirety on the tour, which kicks off July 19 in Camden, NJ and runs through Sept. 5 in Darien Lake, NY.
==============================
Thicke Readying New Release
Robin Thicke has made enough progress on his next album to predict a first single this summer with a full-length release in the fall.
"I've got about 15 new (songs)," Thicke told reporters during a Monday conference call to promote his upcoming concert tour with Jennifer Hudson. The big change this time, he said, was working with a variety of different producers rather than helming the set himself.
==============================
CATHEDRAL: 'Caravan Beyond Redemption' Reissued On Double Splatter Vinyl - Mar. 16, 2009
Night Of The Vinyl Dead Records has released CATHEDRAL's "Caravan Beyond Redemption" album on limited-edition double splatter vinyl with a gatefold cover. The LP, which was originally released by Earache in 1998, is limited to 500 copies.
CATHEDRAL's latest album, "The Garden of Unearthly Delights", was released in Europe in October 2005 and in North America in January 2006. Produced by Warren Ryker (DOWN, CROWBAR), the CD was said to be the band's "most varied effort so far." Using every stylistic device — from female vocals up to violins — and embedding it all in that typical CATHEDRAL brand of doom, "The Garden of Unearthly Delights" is a treat for every fan of the band, old and new alike. The follow-up to 2002's "The VIIth Coming" once again features the epic artwork of long-standing CATHEDRAL sleeve artist Dave Patchett.
SONS OF SEASONS, founded by KAMELOT keyboardist Oliver Palotai, have revealed the cover art for the limited edition version of their debut album, Gods Of Vermin, which is different from the standard edition. It features EPICA vocalist Simone Simons, who also makes a guest appearance on the album.
==============================
Elvis Items On Auction Block
Gotta Have Rock and Roll (www.gottahaverockandroll.com) started an on-line auction today for over 500 lots of Elvis Presley owned items and other Elvis memorabilia. The auction runs through March 25.
The top items in the auction:
Lot #506: White Wm. Knabe & Co. Grand Piano Used at Graceland - Minimum Bid $500,000
Lot #001: Elvis' Madison Square Garden Jumpsuit - Blue with Gold Lining - $100,000
Lot #309: Hound Dog Christmas Oil Painting by Ralph Wolfe Cowan - $25,000
Lot #310: Praying Elvis Oil Painting by Ralph Wolfe Cowan - $25,000
Lot #311: Pink Cadillac Oil Painting by Ralph Wolfe Cowan - $25,000
Lot #015: Elvis Presley Signed Seventh Degree Black Belt Karate Card with Fingerprints - $10,000
Lot #011: Elvis Presley Owned and Worn Silver & Turquoise Belt - $8,000
Lot #005: Elvis Presley Owned and Worn Black Pants and Shirt with IC Costume Label - $8,000
Lot #012: Elvis Presley Owned and Worn 14kt Gold and Diamond Owl Ring - $5,000
Lot #013: Elvis Presley Owned and Worn Solid 14kt Gold Diamond Pave Bracelet - $5,000
For those with a little less money, there are a number of Presley albums, press books, lobby cards and other ephemera available for under $100.
==============================
Dylan's New LP
Columbia Records has officially announced an April 28 release date for Bob Dylan's 46th album, called "Together Through Life."
The album comes on the heels of the critically acclaimed "Modern Times," "Love and Theft" and "Time Out of Mind" Those three releases have led to a huge career resurgence for the icon, winning multiple Grammys and each selling over a million copies.
The album was recorded late last year and is based on classic styles from the Chess and Sun recordings of the 1950's. In an interview on his sight, Dylan commented.
". . . the old Chess records, the Sun records. . . I think that’s my favorite sound for a record.
"I like the mood of those records - the intensity. The sound is uncluttered. There’s power and suspense. The whole vibration feels like it could be coming from inside your mind. It’s alive. It’s right there. Kind of sticks in your head like a toothache."
In discussing the change in sound from his last album, Modern Times:
"All the Modern Times songs were written and performed in the widest range possible so they had a little bit of everything. These new songs have more of a romantic edge.
"These songs don’t need to cover the same ground. The songs on Modern Times songs brought my repertoire up to date, and the light was directed in a certain way. You have to have somebody in mind as an audience otherwise there’s no point.
"There didn’t seem to be any general consensus among my listeners. Some people preferred my first period songs. Some, the second. Some, the Christian period. Some, the post Colombian. Some, the Pre-Raphaelite. Some people prefer my songs from the nineties. I see that my audience now doesn’t particular care what period the songs are from. They feel style and substance in a more visceral way and let it go at that."
==============================
Bad Co Tour?
That one-off performance by Bad Company must have gone pretty well as the band has announced on its website:
"Just announced: Bad Company to tour in 2009! Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke have announced that Bad Co will perform together again. Dates to be announced soon."
==============================
ELP Return?
Carl Palmer's website is hinting at a possible Emerson, Lake and Palmer reunion tour.
"2009 is shaping up to be one of Palmer's busiest years in his career, that began with The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown and spanned four decades plus. In addition to select dates with the Carl Palmer Band, Palmer will return to his drum kit, propelling the powerful sound of the original ASIA. There is also talk of an ELP reunion tour in the fall."
==============================
Kid Rock/Lynryd Skynyrd Tour
Following on the heels of their successful “Rock and Rebels” tour together last year, Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd will teamup once again for another trek this summer. The tour will kick off June 26th in West Palm Beach, Florida. Tickets for the shows go on sale March 20th at Live Nation’s Website. Like last time, Rock will be backed by the 11-piece Twisted Brown Trucker Band.
==============================
Mötley Crüe - Crue Fest 2
Mötley Crüe will be joined by Godsmack, Theory of a Deadman, Drowning Pool and Charm City Devils on the Crüe Fest 2: The White Trash Circus tour, the band announced at a Fuse TV press conference yesterday (March 16).
The band will celebrate the 20th anniversary of "Dr. Feelgood," its first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, by performing the album in its entirety on the tour, which kicks off July 19 in Camden, NJ and runs through Sept. 5 in Darien Lake, NY.
==============================
Thicke Readying New Release
Robin Thicke has made enough progress on his next album to predict a first single this summer with a full-length release in the fall.
"I've got about 15 new (songs)," Thicke told reporters during a Monday conference call to promote his upcoming concert tour with Jennifer Hudson. The big change this time, he said, was working with a variety of different producers rather than helming the set himself.
==============================
CATHEDRAL: 'Caravan Beyond Redemption' Reissued On Double Splatter Vinyl - Mar. 16, 2009
Night Of The Vinyl Dead Records has released CATHEDRAL's "Caravan Beyond Redemption" album on limited-edition double splatter vinyl with a gatefold cover. The LP, which was originally released by Earache in 1998, is limited to 500 copies.
CATHEDRAL's latest album, "The Garden of Unearthly Delights", was released in Europe in October 2005 and in North America in January 2006. Produced by Warren Ryker (DOWN, CROWBAR), the CD was said to be the band's "most varied effort so far." Using every stylistic device — from female vocals up to violins — and embedding it all in that typical CATHEDRAL brand of doom, "The Garden of Unearthly Delights" is a treat for every fan of the band, old and new alike. The follow-up to 2002's "The VIIth Coming" once again features the epic artwork of long-standing CATHEDRAL sleeve artist Dave Patchett.
This Date In Music History- March 17
Birthdays:
Pattie "Layla" Boyd (former Mrs. George Harrison and Mrs. Eric Clapton-- the one he wrote "Layla" for) turns 64.
Scott Gorham- guitar, Thin Lizzy (1951)
John Sebastian ("Welcome Back" and lead singer of the Lovin' Spoonful) is 65.
Caroline Corr - The Corrs (1973)
Melissa Auf der Maur- Hole, Smashing Pumpkins (1972)
Billy Corgan- Smashing Pumpkins (1967)
Paul Kantner- Jefferson Airplane/Starship (1941)
Jim Weatherly (1943)
They Are Missed:
The late Nat "King" Cole was born in 1919.
Terry Stafford ("Suspicion") died of liver failure in 1996.
The late Zola Taylor of the Platters ("Twilight Time"-- claimed after his death that Frankie Lyman had married her) was born in 1938.
Samuel George, Jr., lead singer of the Capitols ("Cool Jerk") was stabbed to death during a family argument in Detroit in 1982.
Rick Grech, bass player with Family, Blind Faith and Traffic died of kidney and liver failure in 1990.
History:
In 1962, the Shirelles release "Soldier Boy." The single becomes the New Jersey girl group's biggest hit, selling a million copies and going all the way to #1.
The Bee Gees made their U.S. television debut on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1968. They performed "To Love Somebody" and "Words."
Tangerine Dream formed in 1970.
In 1951, Sam Phillips recorded Howlin' Wolf for Chess Records.
The Champs started a five week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1958 with 'Tequila', a #5 hit in the UK.
In 1997, the RIAA announced that the Eagles' "Greatest Hits" album had tied Michael Jackson's "Thriller" as the all-time best-selling album in the U.S.
In 1976, Bob Dylan's protest song "Hurricane" led to boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter's murder case being reopened.
The Grateful Dead released their self-titled debut album in 1967.
In 2000, Dixie Chick Natalie Maines apologized to George W. Bush for comments made earlier in the month. Several radio stations boycotted the group's records after Maines said she was ashamed the president was from her home state of Texas.
“Deja Vu,” by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, was released in 1970. With the addition of Neil Young giving the band a more electric edge, the album goes to #1 and sells more than 7 million copies.
Paul McCartney tops the Rolling Stone rich list in 2003, with earnings of $72 million. Runners-up were the Rolling Stones ($44 million) and Dave Matthews Band ($31 million).
The movie "American Hot Wax" (about influential disk jockey Alan Freed) premiered in 1978.
In 1958, the Coasters recorded "Yakety Yak," which was highlighted by King Curtis's honking sax solo. It hits #1 on both the pop and R&B charts, and King Curtis becomes a mainstay of Atlantic Records' soul and R&B sound.
Eric Weissberg started a three-week run at #1 in 1973 with “Dueling Banjos.” Song taken from the film “Deliverance.”
In 1973, Dr Hook's single “On The Cover Of Rolling Stone” peaked at #6 on the US chart. The single was banned in the UK by the BBC due to the reference of the magazine.
The soundtrack album “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” started a two week run at #1 on the US album chart in 2002.
Pattie "Layla" Boyd (former Mrs. George Harrison and Mrs. Eric Clapton-- the one he wrote "Layla" for) turns 64.
Scott Gorham- guitar, Thin Lizzy (1951)
John Sebastian ("Welcome Back" and lead singer of the Lovin' Spoonful) is 65.
Caroline Corr - The Corrs (1973)
Melissa Auf der Maur- Hole, Smashing Pumpkins (1972)
Billy Corgan- Smashing Pumpkins (1967)
Paul Kantner- Jefferson Airplane/Starship (1941)
Jim Weatherly (1943)
They Are Missed:
The late Nat "King" Cole was born in 1919.
Terry Stafford ("Suspicion") died of liver failure in 1996.
The late Zola Taylor of the Platters ("Twilight Time"-- claimed after his death that Frankie Lyman had married her) was born in 1938.
Samuel George, Jr., lead singer of the Capitols ("Cool Jerk") was stabbed to death during a family argument in Detroit in 1982.
Rick Grech, bass player with Family, Blind Faith and Traffic died of kidney and liver failure in 1990.
History:
In 1962, the Shirelles release "Soldier Boy." The single becomes the New Jersey girl group's biggest hit, selling a million copies and going all the way to #1.
The Bee Gees made their U.S. television debut on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1968. They performed "To Love Somebody" and "Words."
Tangerine Dream formed in 1970.
In 1951, Sam Phillips recorded Howlin' Wolf for Chess Records.
The Champs started a five week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1958 with 'Tequila', a #5 hit in the UK.
In 1997, the RIAA announced that the Eagles' "Greatest Hits" album had tied Michael Jackson's "Thriller" as the all-time best-selling album in the U.S.
In 1976, Bob Dylan's protest song "Hurricane" led to boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter's murder case being reopened.
The Grateful Dead released their self-titled debut album in 1967.
In 2000, Dixie Chick Natalie Maines apologized to George W. Bush for comments made earlier in the month. Several radio stations boycotted the group's records after Maines said she was ashamed the president was from her home state of Texas.
“Deja Vu,” by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, was released in 1970. With the addition of Neil Young giving the band a more electric edge, the album goes to #1 and sells more than 7 million copies.
Paul McCartney tops the Rolling Stone rich list in 2003, with earnings of $72 million. Runners-up were the Rolling Stones ($44 million) and Dave Matthews Band ($31 million).
The movie "American Hot Wax" (about influential disk jockey Alan Freed) premiered in 1978.
In 1958, the Coasters recorded "Yakety Yak," which was highlighted by King Curtis's honking sax solo. It hits #1 on both the pop and R&B charts, and King Curtis becomes a mainstay of Atlantic Records' soul and R&B sound.
Eric Weissberg started a three-week run at #1 in 1973 with “Dueling Banjos.” Song taken from the film “Deliverance.”
In 1973, Dr Hook's single “On The Cover Of Rolling Stone” peaked at #6 on the US chart. The single was banned in the UK by the BBC due to the reference of the magazine.
The soundtrack album “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” started a two week run at #1 on the US album chart in 2002.
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