Yes, I know it is early, but if any of my relatives or friends are reading, this is a must have gift for me:
Yesterday, Neiman Marcus released the 82nd edition of its legendary Christmas Book. Originally published as a 16-page booklet in 1926, the guide is now 154-pages strong and full of mind-blowing gifts that I know can’t afford but will drool over anyway. Here is what I will be asking Santa for:
THIRTY-FIVE YEAR COLLECTION OF 45 RPM RECORDS ($275,000)Audiophiles will covet this collection of each and every 45 RPM vinyl record that was listed on the Billboard Top 100 Rock and Pop charts from Jan. 1, 1955, through Dec. 31, 1990. There are about 18,400 records total, including those from greats like Elvis and Hendrix and the Beach Boys.
Maybe they take installments or even my first born.......
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Lloyd Thaxton (1927 - 2008)
For those that grew up during the 50's and 60's, there was that one daily TV dose of Rock and Roll, Dick Clark's American Bandstand but, for a lucky group of people in a market with a competing station, there was The Lloyd Thaxton Show.
Lloyd Thaxton passed away on Sunday at his home in Studio City, California at the age of 81. He had been suffering from multiple myeloma.
Thaxton's broadcast career started in 1950 at WSPD in Toledo, Ohio and, in 1957, he made the move to the west coast to KHJ-TV in Los Angeles. In 1958 he moved to KCOP where he did comercials and announced for The June Levant Show (wife of Oscar Levant).
In 1959, Thaxton became the host of Lloyd Thaxton's Record Shop, a daily chatfest that attracted big names from the area but tended towards more middle-of-the-road music. It wasn't until two years later, when The Lloyd Thaxton Show debuted on KCOP, that he started to bring in the young crowds. Much like American Bandstand, the show featured the latest records with area teens dancing and occassional guests.
Thaxton also tried to inject something more into his shows, often donning different outfits while lipsyncing to the songs, playing various instruments or cutting out the mouths and album covers and "singing" the record through the cover.
The show became so popular locally that it regularly beat the competing newscasts and, in 1964, it went national via syndication and became one of the highest rated music programs in the country for the next eight years. It also drew some of the biggest names of the day, including breaking the color barrier with an appearance by James Brown. When channels pulled the episode, Thaxton didn't back down, instead cancelling their syndication agreement.
Thaxton also was the co-founder of Tiger Beat magazine, which was originally called Lloyd Thaxton's Tiger Beat.
After the show left the air, Thaxton went on to not only host a number of network game shows, but to work behind the scenes as a producer and director. He received five Emmys for the program Fight Back! With David Horowitz and produced over 200 segments for the Today show.
SOURCE: http://winkscollectibles.blogspot.com
Album Cover Art
Let's again turn our focus to Gigwise.com's top 50 list of the most controversial, weirdest, best and worst album cover art as compiled by their staff.
Controversial
21. Black Flag: ‘Family Man’ What a pleasant album cover, even family oriented. And a man pointing a gun to his head causing a controversy? Say it ain't so.
Family Man is an album released by Black Flag in 1984. It is unique in that one side features Rollins spoken-word tracks and the other side mainly features instrumental tracks. "Armageddon Man" is the only track on the album in which Rollins and the instruments are together.
What is now considered the best Flag lineup (Ginn on guitar, Rollins on vocals, Bill Stevenson on drums and the great Kira Roessler on bass) they released Family Man. It opens three points of interest: Rollins as the Beat Poet—sort of—the stoned dirge influence of Black Sabbath, and the instrumental jazz driven metal/punk that Ginn would utilize after dissolving Black Flag. The first side is comprised primarily of Rollins' juvenile attempts at poetry, which sound more like stoned ramblings. It ends with the riff-driven thrash piece "Armageddon Man," loaded with Rollins' bitter and pissed off lyrics and running almost nine minutes. Side two is of great interest to jazz fans. After wallowing in the insipid foolishness of "Salt on a Slug," Ginn, Roessler and Stevenson work some amazing improv jams.
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Weird
21. Van Der Graaf Generator: 'H To He, Who Am The Only One'
What a man's testicles are doing floating in space makes me think that there had do be some great drugs available when the band decided on cover art- strange for sure. The third album by the British progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator, the album was released in 1970. The mid-priced "Charisma Classics" re-issue from the early 1980s had a blue cover. The first U.S. issue of the album was on the Dunhill Records division of ABC Records. It featured a revised cover with a white background instead of purple.
During the recording of the album, Nic Potter quit the band. Organist Hugh Banton offered to play bass guitar on the two tracks that had not yet been finished. In concert, Banton would play bass pedals to substitute for the lack of a bassist. H to He, Who Am the Only One also featured Robert Fripp of King Crimson playing lead guitar on one track.
The album contains several references to modern physics: "H to He" in the title refers to "the fusion of hydrogen nuclei to form helium nuclei"; c in 'Pioneers over c.' refers to the speed of light.
A re-mastered version of this album added bonus tracks and was released in 2005. One of the additions is a rough studio version of "Squid / Octopus", a song that had been a staple of early Van der Graaf Generator concerts.
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Worst
21. A Flock of Seagulls – ‘Dream Come True’ Wow, put some shades on, lots of beautiful color! And I thought the 80's hair only applied to metal bands! Dream Come True is the fourth album by A Flock of Seagulls, released in 1986 by Jive Records. A Flock of Seagulls was started by Mike Score and his brother Ali in 1979 in Liverpool. Mike, who was previously a hairdresser, played keyboards, guitar, and Vocals, Ali played drums and their friend Frank Maudsley played bass. The band took their name from a line in the song "Toiler on the Sea" by The Stranglers, which appears on their album Black and White. The band added guitarist Willie Woo and Mark Edmondson joined briefly when Ali and Mike had a fall out with Ali re joining when Mark took ill. They then began writing songs. Soon later Willie left allowing Paul Reynolds to join. They then started playing clubs, and soon enough, they got a contract.
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Best
21. The Libertines: ‘The Libertines’ The Libertines were an English indie rock band. Formed in London in 1997 by frontmen Pete Doherty (vocals/rhythm guitar) and Carl Barât (vocals/lead guitar), the band also included John Hassall (bass) and Gary Powell (drums) for most of its recording career. Part of what was described as the garage rock revival movement of that time, the band was centred on the song-writing partnership of Barat and Doherty.
The band gained some notoriety in the early 2000s. Although initially their mainstream success was limited, their profile grew culminating in a #2 single and #1 album in the UK Charts. In December 2004, their self-titled second album was voted the second best album of the year by NME. Both of their full-length LPs were produced by Mick Jones, of the British punk band The Clash.
However, the band's music was often eclipsed by its internal conflicts, many of which stemmed from Doherty's addictions to crack cocaine and heroin, ultimately resulting in the breakup of the band. Doherty has since claimed that the breakup of the band has been due to relationship difficulties between Barat and himself, not relating to his drug addictions. The members of The Libertines have gone on to new bands, with varying degrees of commercial and critical success.
The band has been compared to many classic British rock bands, as their angle on rock is uniquely English. The resemblance to The Beatles, both in their mop-top appearance and their wild yet melodic music, is striking. Their sound is often likened to that of The Jam and The Kinks' early records as well as The Clash's first album and early singles. They are perhaps most similar to pioneer rockers, Buzzcocks. Morrissey is another strong influence cited by the band members. Many of their lyrics refer to elements of British life, use English/cockney slang and are sung in a near-drunken sounding slur. In their attitude they are sometimes compared to the Sex Pistols due to their chaotic and energetic live performances.
The Libertines is the second, self-titled and final album by the British punk rock band. Released on August 30, 2004, it is particularly biographical of the relationship between frontmen Carl Barât and Pete Doherty. The album instantly reached #1 in the UK and is on its way to achieving platinum certification. It sold 72,189 copies in its first week. The album cover was taken by Roger Sargent during the emotional "Freedom Gig" at the Tap 'N' Tin, Chatham, Kent, on October 8, 2003, when Pete Doherty reunited with the Libertines for a gig just hours after being released from jail.
Controversial
21. Black Flag: ‘Family Man’ What a pleasant album cover, even family oriented. And a man pointing a gun to his head causing a controversy? Say it ain't so.
Family Man is an album released by Black Flag in 1984. It is unique in that one side features Rollins spoken-word tracks and the other side mainly features instrumental tracks. "Armageddon Man" is the only track on the album in which Rollins and the instruments are together.
What is now considered the best Flag lineup (Ginn on guitar, Rollins on vocals, Bill Stevenson on drums and the great Kira Roessler on bass) they released Family Man. It opens three points of interest: Rollins as the Beat Poet—sort of—the stoned dirge influence of Black Sabbath, and the instrumental jazz driven metal/punk that Ginn would utilize after dissolving Black Flag. The first side is comprised primarily of Rollins' juvenile attempts at poetry, which sound more like stoned ramblings. It ends with the riff-driven thrash piece "Armageddon Man," loaded with Rollins' bitter and pissed off lyrics and running almost nine minutes. Side two is of great interest to jazz fans. After wallowing in the insipid foolishness of "Salt on a Slug," Ginn, Roessler and Stevenson work some amazing improv jams.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weird
21. Van Der Graaf Generator: 'H To He, Who Am The Only One'
What a man's testicles are doing floating in space makes me think that there had do be some great drugs available when the band decided on cover art- strange for sure. The third album by the British progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator, the album was released in 1970. The mid-priced "Charisma Classics" re-issue from the early 1980s had a blue cover. The first U.S. issue of the album was on the Dunhill Records division of ABC Records. It featured a revised cover with a white background instead of purple.
During the recording of the album, Nic Potter quit the band. Organist Hugh Banton offered to play bass guitar on the two tracks that had not yet been finished. In concert, Banton would play bass pedals to substitute for the lack of a bassist. H to He, Who Am the Only One also featured Robert Fripp of King Crimson playing lead guitar on one track.
The album contains several references to modern physics: "H to He" in the title refers to "the fusion of hydrogen nuclei to form helium nuclei"; c in 'Pioneers over c.' refers to the speed of light.
A re-mastered version of this album added bonus tracks and was released in 2005. One of the additions is a rough studio version of "Squid / Octopus", a song that had been a staple of early Van der Graaf Generator concerts.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worst
21. A Flock of Seagulls – ‘Dream Come True’ Wow, put some shades on, lots of beautiful color! And I thought the 80's hair only applied to metal bands! Dream Come True is the fourth album by A Flock of Seagulls, released in 1986 by Jive Records. A Flock of Seagulls was started by Mike Score and his brother Ali in 1979 in Liverpool. Mike, who was previously a hairdresser, played keyboards, guitar, and Vocals, Ali played drums and their friend Frank Maudsley played bass. The band took their name from a line in the song "Toiler on the Sea" by The Stranglers, which appears on their album Black and White. The band added guitarist Willie Woo and Mark Edmondson joined briefly when Ali and Mike had a fall out with Ali re joining when Mark took ill. They then began writing songs. Soon later Willie left allowing Paul Reynolds to join. They then started playing clubs, and soon enough, they got a contract.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best
21. The Libertines: ‘The Libertines’ The Libertines were an English indie rock band. Formed in London in 1997 by frontmen Pete Doherty (vocals/rhythm guitar) and Carl Barât (vocals/lead guitar), the band also included John Hassall (bass) and Gary Powell (drums) for most of its recording career. Part of what was described as the garage rock revival movement of that time, the band was centred on the song-writing partnership of Barat and Doherty.
The band gained some notoriety in the early 2000s. Although initially their mainstream success was limited, their profile grew culminating in a #2 single and #1 album in the UK Charts. In December 2004, their self-titled second album was voted the second best album of the year by NME. Both of their full-length LPs were produced by Mick Jones, of the British punk band The Clash.
However, the band's music was often eclipsed by its internal conflicts, many of which stemmed from Doherty's addictions to crack cocaine and heroin, ultimately resulting in the breakup of the band. Doherty has since claimed that the breakup of the band has been due to relationship difficulties between Barat and himself, not relating to his drug addictions. The members of The Libertines have gone on to new bands, with varying degrees of commercial and critical success.
The band has been compared to many classic British rock bands, as their angle on rock is uniquely English. The resemblance to The Beatles, both in their mop-top appearance and their wild yet melodic music, is striking. Their sound is often likened to that of The Jam and The Kinks' early records as well as The Clash's first album and early singles. They are perhaps most similar to pioneer rockers, Buzzcocks. Morrissey is another strong influence cited by the band members. Many of their lyrics refer to elements of British life, use English/cockney slang and are sung in a near-drunken sounding slur. In their attitude they are sometimes compared to the Sex Pistols due to their chaotic and energetic live performances.
The Libertines is the second, self-titled and final album by the British punk rock band. Released on August 30, 2004, it is particularly biographical of the relationship between frontmen Carl Barât and Pete Doherty. The album instantly reached #1 in the UK and is on its way to achieving platinum certification. It sold 72,189 copies in its first week. The album cover was taken by Roger Sargent during the emotional "Freedom Gig" at the Tap 'N' Tin, Chatham, Kent, on October 8, 2003, when Pete Doherty reunited with the Libertines for a gig just hours after being released from jail.
This Date In Music History- October 8
Birthdays:
Buzz Clifford ("Baby Sittin' Boogie") turns 66.
Robert "Kool" Bell of Kool & the Gang ("Hollywood Swingin'") is 58.
Fred Cash of the Impressions ("Gypsy Woman") is 68.
Guitarist/singer Hamish Stuart of the Average White Band was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1949.
Procol Harum guitarist Ray Royer has a birthday (1945).
History:
Johnny Ramone - the Ramones' famed one-chord guitarist - was born in Long Island, NY in 1951. He died of prostate cancer on 15th September 2004.
Little Richard began a rock and roll comeback tour in Britain in 1962. In November, he shares the bill at Hamburg's Star Club with the Beatles.
'Survival,' a militant new album by Bob Marley and the Wailers, was released in 1979 as a 47-date tour kicked off at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre.
'Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll', a movie documentary and concert tribute to Chuck Berry, with Keith Richards as musical director, debuts in 1987. A year later, Berry publishes his autobiography.
Jerry Lee Lewis recorded "Great Balls Of Fire" in 1957.
Farewell to Dark Side of the Moon. The Pink Floyd album finally dropped out of the Billboard 200 chart in 1988, 741 weeks after it first debuted there. It stayed on the chart longer than any recording in history.
In 1992, the US Postal Service said it would celebrate Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Ritchie Valens, Clyde McPhatter, Otis Redding, and Dinah Washington with their own stamps.
"Imagine" was recorded by John Lennon in 1971.
Radio stations across the U.S. “mysteriously” received advance copies of Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk” album in 1979. This forced Warner Brothers to move up the release date.
The Four Aces led the US hit parade in 1955 with "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing", the first US number one record that was specifically written for a motion picture.
After a long dry spell, Dionne Warwicke returned to the US top ten in 1974 with "Then Came You", recorded with The Spinners. Due to some superstitious feelings having to do with astrology, the former Ms. Warwick added an "e" to the end of her name for good luck. She would later return to the old spelling, which is actually a mis-spelled version of her real name: Warrick.
Billy Joel's breakthrough album, "The Stranger", entered the Billboard album chart in 1977, where it would crack the Top 10. The LP contained four US Top 30 singles and would be his first effort to reach the UK album chart.
In 1987, the three members from ZZ Top made advance bookings for seats on the first passenger flight to the Moon. The boys are still waiting for confirmation of the trip.
In 1964, working at Abbey Road studios in London, The Beatles recorded their next single ‘She's a Woman’ in seven takes plus overdubs, recording the song from start to finish in five hours.
Buzz Clifford ("Baby Sittin' Boogie") turns 66.
Robert "Kool" Bell of Kool & the Gang ("Hollywood Swingin'") is 58.
Fred Cash of the Impressions ("Gypsy Woman") is 68.
Guitarist/singer Hamish Stuart of the Average White Band was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1949.
Procol Harum guitarist Ray Royer has a birthday (1945).
History:
Johnny Ramone - the Ramones' famed one-chord guitarist - was born in Long Island, NY in 1951. He died of prostate cancer on 15th September 2004.
Little Richard began a rock and roll comeback tour in Britain in 1962. In November, he shares the bill at Hamburg's Star Club with the Beatles.
'Survival,' a militant new album by Bob Marley and the Wailers, was released in 1979 as a 47-date tour kicked off at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre.
'Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll', a movie documentary and concert tribute to Chuck Berry, with Keith Richards as musical director, debuts in 1987. A year later, Berry publishes his autobiography.
Jerry Lee Lewis recorded "Great Balls Of Fire" in 1957.
Farewell to Dark Side of the Moon. The Pink Floyd album finally dropped out of the Billboard 200 chart in 1988, 741 weeks after it first debuted there. It stayed on the chart longer than any recording in history.
In 1992, the US Postal Service said it would celebrate Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Ritchie Valens, Clyde McPhatter, Otis Redding, and Dinah Washington with their own stamps.
"Imagine" was recorded by John Lennon in 1971.
Radio stations across the U.S. “mysteriously” received advance copies of Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk” album in 1979. This forced Warner Brothers to move up the release date.
The Four Aces led the US hit parade in 1955 with "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing", the first US number one record that was specifically written for a motion picture.
After a long dry spell, Dionne Warwicke returned to the US top ten in 1974 with "Then Came You", recorded with The Spinners. Due to some superstitious feelings having to do with astrology, the former Ms. Warwick added an "e" to the end of her name for good luck. She would later return to the old spelling, which is actually a mis-spelled version of her real name: Warrick.
Billy Joel's breakthrough album, "The Stranger", entered the Billboard album chart in 1977, where it would crack the Top 10. The LP contained four US Top 30 singles and would be his first effort to reach the UK album chart.
In 1987, the three members from ZZ Top made advance bookings for seats on the first passenger flight to the Moon. The boys are still waiting for confirmation of the trip.
In 1964, working at Abbey Road studios in London, The Beatles recorded their next single ‘She's a Woman’ in seven takes plus overdubs, recording the song from start to finish in five hours.