Genesis Members Still Hoping for a Reunion with Gabriel

It's a fan's dream. The members of Genesis remain interested in reuniting with Peter Gabriel to showcase their early music.


Gabriel was the first to bring the whole reunion up four years ago when he talked of performing a concert version of The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. When things did not come together, he moved on to working on a new solo album; however, the initial talks did result in last year's tour with Tony Banks, Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford.

Now, Tony Banks tells Billboard that the interest for the early-material reunion is still there. "We've never said never about it, you know. I know Phil would be quite happy with the idea of just playing the drums; it would be quite fun for him. Mike and I are certainly happy to do it. I know Steve (Hackett) is keen as well. I think it'd be down to Peter more than anyone else."

Rutherford added, "It would be fun to do something like that purely for the fun of working together again and seeing where it takes you."

In addition, Banks said further reissues may be in the offering (their final reissue box is being released tomorrow), including a box set of their live albums and possible further live sets available from their website.

Source: Billboard

Classic Rock Videos

Byrds - All I Really Want To Do

Vinyl sells despite eBay, iPods and illegal downloads

Written by Lauren Gordon

The intersection at Fourth and South streets was once a haven for independent record stores. From dance DJs at 611 Records to the heavy metal gurus at Relapse Records, all genres of music were satisfied in a one-stop trip to the area.

With downloadable music and the iPod revolution sweeping the nation, it’s a wonder how independent record stores continue to stay in business.


Despite facing every obstacle imaginable (except for a black hole devouring them whole), a few key record stores on South Street have still remained open. Owners credit tourists, customers who are looking for rare items and young students for their endurance (Sara Elia/TTN).

The sad fact is they aren’t.

Very few record stores have managed to keep their doors open on South Street. In 2006, Spaceboy Music and Tower Records closed their doors due to online competition.

When owners of Spaceboy Music decided to close, they detailed their reasons for doing so in a blog post on Philly Shreds.

“The world is different. The music industry has changed. Technology has changed. South Street has changed. For Spaceboy Music, it’s time for a change.”

Since then, the shutdowns kept coming.

During the past year, both Relapse Records and 611 Records fell into South Street’s black hole for independent record stores.

Some feel the future isn’t so bleak for all record store owners.

After 611 Records closed, proprietors Crystal and Ezekiel “Zeke” Zagar opened up Ezekiel’s Music & Culture. The couple sells Zeke’s collection of unique instruments, as well as world music CDs.

Crystal said the corporate stores nearby may help the small business.

“I’m not so much against chain stores,” she said. “While I prefer shopping at locally owned stores, the chain stores bring in curious, new people to the South Street area.”

South Street has always attracted patrons from eclectic backgrounds. It was once home to forgotten artists and immigrant-owned businesses. Now, it is one of Philadelphia’s main tourist attractions.

‘Hey, a new toy that works,’” owner Jack Fritz said (Bethany Barton/TTN).”]No matter whose territory it is, the scene on the infamous street continues to serve those looking for alternative retailers.

This is what attracted Jack Fritz, one of the longest standing independent record store owners at Fourth and South streets.

Since the early 1990s, his shop Noise Pollution has offered music lovers rare bands and even rarer vinyl.

But times are changing.

While other small businesses can sell products that are unique, record businesses are suffering because music is easily accessible online.

“It’s hard because the economy and the music and CD business is sh–,” Fritz said. “We all got hit hard with downloading and the like. It’s not like owning a donut shop. You can’t download donuts.”

According to the Wall Street Journal, piracy has caused CD sales to decrease by 20 percent in 2007. Many businesses have begun to reduce their CD inventory because sales are declining.

If a multi-million dollar music empire has trouble staying in business, how exactly does an independent store stay afloat?

Small business owners are confident about the environment on South Street.
Crystal reaps the benefits from tourists who visit Philly.

“I would love to see regulars and locals shopping in my store, but tourists are great clientele too,” she said. “They bring something new to the city.”

The rarity factor is definitely an asset for Fritz, but it’s a waning selling point.

The problem today is “rarity” is easier to come by. At a time before eBay, products like local punk CDs were harder to find and drew endless crowds. Now, people have the convenience of being a click away from their favorite tunes.

Naturally, the local music guy suffers a little, but the future of the business isn’t all that gloomy.

“Vinyl is selling big,” Fritz said. “It’s like kids found their parents’ old turntables and [said] ‘Hey, a new toy that works.’”

It’s no wonder Fritz is successful.

Vinyl records line the store from wall-to-wall, ranging from jazz to old acid rock. Noise Pollution’s collection of music keeps it busy.

If it weren’t for Fritz’s business savvy, his store would not be open.

He stopped buying from wholesalers, and even has a “secret spot” from which he purchases new material.

Undeniably, there are a lot of challenges facing Fritz, but six days a week he opens his doors to the city, inviting all to listen.

For all his successes, Fritz is realistic about his business.

“In 1991, I was walking out of here with wads of cash. It’s definitely slowing down,” he said. “But I’m doing OK for myself. I just wish everyone was doing just as good.”


I want to thank the author, Lauren Gordon and the publication http://temple-news.com for allowing me to post this great story about the independent record stores

Album Cover Art

Continuing our look at the Gigwise.com list of the sexiest and dirtiest album covers, here we are at #48 (of 50):


48. Blink 182: 'Enema of the State' Blink-182's third, and most successful studio album was released June 1, 1999, on MCA Records and features the hits "What's My Age Again?", "All the Small Things" and "Adam's Song", which would later appear on their greatest hits compilation. It was Blink-182's first album recorded with drummer Travis Barker. The album was highly successful; it sold 12 million copies worldwide, making it the band's best selling album. This album is an Enhanced CD which contains a bonus music video and web links.

Porn star Janine Lindemulder is the nurse depicted on the cover of this album. The actress is pictured inspecting the semi-naked Blink 182 on the back sleeve. She is also featured in the music videos for "What's My Age Again?" and "Man Overboard". An emblem of the Red Cross was depicted on the nurse's cap on early pressings of the album cover. Shortly after, the Red Cross demanded that their symbol be removed from the cover as it currently is on all printings. Similarly, early printings of the album were not given Parental Advisory stickers (neither on the case nor printed on the cover) until shortly after the major success of the record.

This Date In Music History-November 5

Birthdays:

Air Supply guitarist David Moyse was born in 1957.

Birthday wishes to Bryan Adams.

Art Garfunkel ("All I Know") turns 67.

Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits ("I'm Into Something Good") is 61.

Rob Grill of the Grass Roots was born in 1944.

History:

In 1954, Elvis Presley made his only commercial, for Southern-Made Doughnuts, on the Louisiana Hayride radio program.

Bobby Hatfield of the Righteous Brothers was found dead in his hotel room in Kalamazoo, Mich., in 2003. The vocalist, who with Bill Medley sang "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and "Unchained Melody," was 63.

33 year old Johnny Horton, who had a number one hit with "Battle of New Orleans", died when his Cadillac was hit by a drunken truck driver in Milano, Texas in 1960. Ironically, Johnny had just played his last show at the Skyline in Austin, where Hank Williams had played his last show as well. Horton's widow, Billy Joe, was also Hanks Williams' widow.

In 1965, The Who released a song called "My Generation" which will become a sort of anthem for British teens, rising to number two on the UK chart. In the US however, despite performing the tune on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, the song was mostly ignored and would get no higher than number 74 on the Billboard chart.

Eight weeks after their TV series debuted in 1966, The Monkees had the number one record in the US with "Last Train To Clarksville". They revealed during a press conference that no members of the group had played on the record.

In 1971, announcer Al Dvorin utters what would become a well known phrase: "Elvis has left the building" at the end of a Minneapolis concert by the King. He was asked to make the announcement in an effort to quiet the fans who continued to call for an encore.

In 1986, Bobby Nunn, vocalist for The Coasters on their 1958 hit, "Yakety Yak", died of a heart attack at the age of 61.

In 1988, The Beach Boys had the number one record in the US when "Kokomo", from the movie Cocktail reached the top. It made #25 in the UK. It had been 22 years since the group had their last US chart topper with "Good Vibrations". Their only other Top Ten hit in that time had been "Rock and Roll Music" in 1976.

Link Wray, the electric guitar innovator who is often credited as the father of the power chord, died at his home in Copenhagen in 2005 of natural causes. He was 76. His 1959 instrumental, "Rumble" was banned by many radio stations, even thought it had no lyrics what so ever.

In 1988, 'The Locomotion', became the first song to reach the US Top 5 in three different versions, when Kylie Minogue's reached No.4 on the UK chart. The song had also been a hit for Little Eva and Grand Funk Railroad.

In 1977, the manager of a Virgin Records store in Nottingham England was arrested and charged under the UK's Indecent Advertising Act for displaying a poster that read "Never Mind The Bollocks: Here's The Sex Pistols". At his trial two weeks later, defense lawyers called Professor James Kingsley, who testified that the word "bollocks" had several different meanings, both slang and proper. After a twenty minute deliberation, the court returned a verdict of not guilty.