All You Need Is Love - The Beatles
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Rock & Roll Tidbits
An obvious inebriated Steve Tyler once confessed to a luck reporter: “I’ll tell you what’s fun,” the rock said. “Finding the right stewardess and turning her upside-down in the back of the plane. Ever done it? You come so fast, it’s the greatest.”
Frank Zappa made an experimental film in 1965. He tied a camera to a string and just started swinging it around his head. The name of the film? “Motion.” “Pretty stupid, eh?” lamented Zappa.
Vince Neil of Motley Crue saw a woman mud-wrestling one night and quickly fell in love. He offered the dirty grappler $3,000 a week if she would stop mud-wrestling with anyone but him, and she agreed. The two were married- but divorced a short time later.
Ray Davies of the Kinks once tried to be like Keith Moon (the Who) and destroy his hotel room. “I threw a Guinness bottle against the wall,” he explained. “It bounced back and hit me in the head and knocked me out.” That plan failed.
While we are on the subject….At a Monkees’ concert in 1968, Keith Moon jumped up in the crowd just before the show started and started chanting “We Want the Who!”
Alice Cooper is famous for his stage antics. In 1988, while he was rehearsing for his onstage hanging routine, the safety rope broke and Cooper would have hung himself if not for the quick thinking of a roadie; who cut the dangling rock star down.
Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue fame once claimed he shot whiskey into his arm when he ran out of heroin.
In a related story, Sixx shot up too much heroin in 1987, in addition to consuming Valium, Cocaine, whiskey, and beer. Sixx stated, “I kinda remember waking up and a paramedic telling me that I had died, and had to be revived.” He got that part right, as paramedics did indeed have to administer two shots of adrenaline to restart his heart. Upon his release from the hospital, he hitchhiked back home, shot up more heroin, later writing the song, “Kickstart My Heart.” How appropriate.
In the early days of Queen, rocker Freddie Mercury would hit himself so hard with the tambourine that he suffered a severely bruised leg.
Frank Zappa booked the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to play a concert of his music at the Royal Albert hall. But the show was canceled due to “lyrical obscenity.” Zappa sued, but lost the case when he couldn’t convince the British judge that the song “Shove It Right In” was not obscene.
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys spent 1971-1975 in bed.
Mamas and the Papas founder John Phillips was kind of careless with his drugs. His dog, Trelawny (a.k.a Mr. T) once gobbled up a whole bag of mescaline capsules. The poor pooch ran in circles for three days. Then he stared at himself in the mirror for over twelve hours. “He was more human than anything else after swallowing all that mescaline,” mused Phillips.
In the 60’s, the Who made instrument smashing a part of every show that they did. Trouble was, the band was destroying 700 pounds of equipment per night and only earning about 500 pounds per show. Bass player John Entwistle screamed: “We’d come out ahead just by not showing up!”
Frank Zappa made an experimental film in 1965. He tied a camera to a string and just started swinging it around his head. The name of the film? “Motion.” “Pretty stupid, eh?” lamented Zappa.
Vince Neil of Motley Crue saw a woman mud-wrestling one night and quickly fell in love. He offered the dirty grappler $3,000 a week if she would stop mud-wrestling with anyone but him, and she agreed. The two were married- but divorced a short time later.
Ray Davies of the Kinks once tried to be like Keith Moon (the Who) and destroy his hotel room. “I threw a Guinness bottle against the wall,” he explained. “It bounced back and hit me in the head and knocked me out.” That plan failed.
While we are on the subject….At a Monkees’ concert in 1968, Keith Moon jumped up in the crowd just before the show started and started chanting “We Want the Who!”
Alice Cooper is famous for his stage antics. In 1988, while he was rehearsing for his onstage hanging routine, the safety rope broke and Cooper would have hung himself if not for the quick thinking of a roadie; who cut the dangling rock star down.
Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue fame once claimed he shot whiskey into his arm when he ran out of heroin.
In a related story, Sixx shot up too much heroin in 1987, in addition to consuming Valium, Cocaine, whiskey, and beer. Sixx stated, “I kinda remember waking up and a paramedic telling me that I had died, and had to be revived.” He got that part right, as paramedics did indeed have to administer two shots of adrenaline to restart his heart. Upon his release from the hospital, he hitchhiked back home, shot up more heroin, later writing the song, “Kickstart My Heart.” How appropriate.
In the early days of Queen, rocker Freddie Mercury would hit himself so hard with the tambourine that he suffered a severely bruised leg.
Frank Zappa booked the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to play a concert of his music at the Royal Albert hall. But the show was canceled due to “lyrical obscenity.” Zappa sued, but lost the case when he couldn’t convince the British judge that the song “Shove It Right In” was not obscene.
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys spent 1971-1975 in bed.
Mamas and the Papas founder John Phillips was kind of careless with his drugs. His dog, Trelawny (a.k.a Mr. T) once gobbled up a whole bag of mescaline capsules. The poor pooch ran in circles for three days. Then he stared at himself in the mirror for over twelve hours. “He was more human than anything else after swallowing all that mescaline,” mused Phillips.
In the 60’s, the Who made instrument smashing a part of every show that they did. Trouble was, the band was destroying 700 pounds of equipment per night and only earning about 500 pounds per show. Bass player John Entwistle screamed: “We’d come out ahead just by not showing up!”
Album Cover Art
Continuing our look at album cover art, let's look at a new release by Gory Blister:
Italian tech-death metallers GORY BLISTER have announced they will release their new album, Graveyard Of Angels, in Europe on April 6th via Mascot Records.
Gory Blister is a technical death metal band from Milan, Italy. Gory Blister was formed in 1991. Their debut album, Art Bleeds, was released in 1999. " Demos/EPs released by Gory Blister include: "Spoilt by Greed" (1991 Demo), "Hanging Down The Sound" (1993 Demo), and "Cognitive Sinergy" (1997 EP).
Gory Blister's lyrical themes range from psychology to inner thoughts & outer space.
Italian tech-death metallers GORY BLISTER have announced they will release their new album, Graveyard Of Angels, in Europe on April 6th via Mascot Records.
Gory Blister is a technical death metal band from Milan, Italy. Gory Blister was formed in 1991. Their debut album, Art Bleeds, was released in 1999. " Demos/EPs released by Gory Blister include: "Spoilt by Greed" (1991 Demo), "Hanging Down The Sound" (1993 Demo), and "Cognitive Sinergy" (1997 EP).
Gory Blister's lyrical themes range from psychology to inner thoughts & outer space.
Music News & Notes
Whitney Houston's Triumphant Return
A strong-sounding Whitney Houston made her triumphant return to the stage last night (Feb. 7) in Los Angeles at a pre-Grammy party that honored her mentor, music mogul Clive Davis.
"I've got it, I've got it!" Houston, looking glamorous in a skintight leopard dress, sang as she belted a line from one of her classic hits, "I'm Every Woman." But more than a lyric, it summarized to the crowd of A-list superstars and top industry execs that the superstar -- whose drug use and erratic behavior had caused a shocking fall from grace just a few years ago -- was back in top form.
"We all crossed our fingers that her beautiful story would end (happily)," stated Jamie Foxx, who stood at the front of the stage and took video of Houston like he was just another fan in the crowd. "This is a new begining."
The 45-year-old is one of the best-selling artists of all time and among the greatest singers, but hasn't made an album since 2002. Since, she has struggled with drug problems and a tumultuous personal life, a far cry from the princess image she cultivated since her debut in the 1980's.
Houston is expected to release an album sometime this year and this comeback seems to be the real deal. "She was on it, she was happy -- she's back," said Foxx. "Everybody else watch out."
==================================
This from Blabbermouth.net:
RAM: New Album Details Revealed
RAM, the Sweden-based heavy metal band featuring Morgan Pettersson (ex-B-THONG), has completed work on its second album, "Lightbringer." The follow-up to 2005's "Forced Entry" was produced by Johan Reivén and was mixed at Studio Bongo in the group's hometown.
Commented the band: "Compared to 'Forced Entry', the 'Lightbringer' album is a step in many directions for us. 'Forced Entry' was a very straightforward (in RAM terms) heavy metal album. 'Lightbringer' is more concept-orientated and it displays an array of different themes that are noticeable in song writing, lyrics and throughout the production. Including a horror mantra that features Mexican poet Adelaida Caballero performing one of her profound, surrealistic and magick poems, this album offers hard and heavy but quite unorthodox heavy metal songs that features many twists and different parts, along with melancholic and very melodic pieces. E from the infamous black metal band WATAIN is featured on one track which is a modern heavy black metal track and he lays down some sinister vocals indeed. Something as unusual as a metal horror opera, 'The Elixir' features a macabre tale in vein of Edgar Allan Poe's work. Our most epic track to date and also the longest RAM song ever recorded is a song about the battle at Suomussalmi in 1939 during the Finnish winter war."
RAM's full-length debut, "Forced Entry", was recorded at Black Path studios and was mixed at Gothenburg's Brewhouse facility. Mastering duties were handled by Göran Finnberg.
==================================
THYRFING Vinyl Release
War Anthem Records will release the vinyl edition of "Hels Vite", the latest album from Swedish meatl band THYRFING, at the end of March.
"Hels Vite" came out in the U.S. on January 27 via Regain Records.
Released in Europe on October 22 via Regain Records, the CD was co-produced (with the band) by Jörgen Svensson of Tyroon Production and the cover artwork was created by the Swedish artist Mikael Schelén. The layout and the photos were handled by Jens Rydén.
THYRFING announced in 2007 the addition of Jens Rydén as the band's new vocalist. Jens is best known as founding member and ex-vocalist of NAGLFAR and for his one-man army PROFUNDI.
THYRFING's fifth album, "Farsotstider" (in English: "Times of Plague"), was released in November 2005 via Regain Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Vansinnesvisor" (Hammerheart Records) was recorded at EMI Studio in Stockholm with producer Henrik Edenhed (LAMBRETTA, THE SOUNDS).
A strong-sounding Whitney Houston made her triumphant return to the stage last night (Feb. 7) in Los Angeles at a pre-Grammy party that honored her mentor, music mogul Clive Davis.
"I've got it, I've got it!" Houston, looking glamorous in a skintight leopard dress, sang as she belted a line from one of her classic hits, "I'm Every Woman." But more than a lyric, it summarized to the crowd of A-list superstars and top industry execs that the superstar -- whose drug use and erratic behavior had caused a shocking fall from grace just a few years ago -- was back in top form.
"We all crossed our fingers that her beautiful story would end (happily)," stated Jamie Foxx, who stood at the front of the stage and took video of Houston like he was just another fan in the crowd. "This is a new begining."
The 45-year-old is one of the best-selling artists of all time and among the greatest singers, but hasn't made an album since 2002. Since, she has struggled with drug problems and a tumultuous personal life, a far cry from the princess image she cultivated since her debut in the 1980's.
Houston is expected to release an album sometime this year and this comeback seems to be the real deal. "She was on it, she was happy -- she's back," said Foxx. "Everybody else watch out."
==================================
This from Blabbermouth.net:
RAM: New Album Details Revealed
RAM, the Sweden-based heavy metal band featuring Morgan Pettersson (ex-B-THONG), has completed work on its second album, "Lightbringer." The follow-up to 2005's "Forced Entry" was produced by Johan Reivén and was mixed at Studio Bongo in the group's hometown.
Commented the band: "Compared to 'Forced Entry', the 'Lightbringer' album is a step in many directions for us. 'Forced Entry' was a very straightforward (in RAM terms) heavy metal album. 'Lightbringer' is more concept-orientated and it displays an array of different themes that are noticeable in song writing, lyrics and throughout the production. Including a horror mantra that features Mexican poet Adelaida Caballero performing one of her profound, surrealistic and magick poems, this album offers hard and heavy but quite unorthodox heavy metal songs that features many twists and different parts, along with melancholic and very melodic pieces. E from the infamous black metal band WATAIN is featured on one track which is a modern heavy black metal track and he lays down some sinister vocals indeed. Something as unusual as a metal horror opera, 'The Elixir' features a macabre tale in vein of Edgar Allan Poe's work. Our most epic track to date and also the longest RAM song ever recorded is a song about the battle at Suomussalmi in 1939 during the Finnish winter war."
RAM's full-length debut, "Forced Entry", was recorded at Black Path studios and was mixed at Gothenburg's Brewhouse facility. Mastering duties were handled by Göran Finnberg.
==================================
THYRFING Vinyl Release
War Anthem Records will release the vinyl edition of "Hels Vite", the latest album from Swedish meatl band THYRFING, at the end of March.
"Hels Vite" came out in the U.S. on January 27 via Regain Records.
Released in Europe on October 22 via Regain Records, the CD was co-produced (with the band) by Jörgen Svensson of Tyroon Production and the cover artwork was created by the Swedish artist Mikael Schelén. The layout and the photos were handled by Jens Rydén.
THYRFING announced in 2007 the addition of Jens Rydén as the band's new vocalist. Jens is best known as founding member and ex-vocalist of NAGLFAR and for his one-man army PROFUNDI.
THYRFING's fifth album, "Farsotstider" (in English: "Times of Plague"), was released in November 2005 via Regain Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Vansinnesvisor" (Hammerheart Records) was recorded at EMI Studio in Stockholm with producer Henrik Edenhed (LAMBRETTA, THE SOUNDS).
Rascal Flatts' New Cover Art
People’s Choice Award winner for Favorite Group of 2008, Rascal Flatts is paying tribute to their fans by asking them to choose the cover art for their next album,” Unstoppable,” due out April 7. In January, Rascal Flatts, which includes guitarist Joe Don Rooney of Picher, teamed up with People’s Choice and invited fans to submit original cover designs for their upcoming album, according to a news release.
The top four submissions have been chosen by the band and voting is now open to all on www.pcaVOTE.com.
The new cover art for “Unstoppable” is scheduled to be revealed live during a Rascal Flatts concert in New York City’s Madison Square Garden on Thursday. The top four designs were submitted by Rick Brewer from Fenton, Mo.; Christopher Cox from Venus, Texas; Garret Dickerson from Greenbrier, Tenn.; and Chris Kubik from Arlington Heights, Ill.
“We were very impressed with all the entries and it was a difficult decision to narrow down the possibilities to just these four,” said Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, in the release. “We can’t imagine how hard it will be for the fans to choose just one!”
“At the beginning of this partnership, Rascal Flatts came to us looking for a way to thank their fans for years of unwavering support and dedication,” said Fred Nelson, President, People’s Choice, in the release. “By working together to develop this album cover contest and vote, we at People’s Choice are thrilled to help bring this request to fruition and get the fans involved in such an important decision.”
Here are the choices:
Vote now at :
Rascal Flatts Cover Art
The top four submissions have been chosen by the band and voting is now open to all on www.pcaVOTE.com.
The new cover art for “Unstoppable” is scheduled to be revealed live during a Rascal Flatts concert in New York City’s Madison Square Garden on Thursday. The top four designs were submitted by Rick Brewer from Fenton, Mo.; Christopher Cox from Venus, Texas; Garret Dickerson from Greenbrier, Tenn.; and Chris Kubik from Arlington Heights, Ill.
“We were very impressed with all the entries and it was a difficult decision to narrow down the possibilities to just these four,” said Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, in the release. “We can’t imagine how hard it will be for the fans to choose just one!”
“At the beginning of this partnership, Rascal Flatts came to us looking for a way to thank their fans for years of unwavering support and dedication,” said Fred Nelson, President, People’s Choice, in the release. “By working together to develop this album cover contest and vote, we at People’s Choice are thrilled to help bring this request to fruition and get the fans involved in such an important decision.”
Here are the choices:
Vote now at :
Rascal Flatts Cover Art
This Date In Music History- February 8
Birthdays:
Creed Bratton- Grass Roots (1943)
Paul Wheatbread- Gary Puckett and the Union Gap (1946)
Adolpho De La Para, drums, Canned Heat (1946)
Dan Seals- England Dan & John Ford Coley (1948)
Vince Neil- Motley Crue (1961)
Dave 'Phoenix' Ferrel- Linkin Park (1977)
Larry Verne ("Please Mr. Custer") turns 73.
Sammy Llanas- The BoDeans (1961)
They Are Missed:
Del Shannon died of self inflicted gunshot wounds in 1990.
In 1973, Max Yasgur the owner of the Woodstock farm where the 1969 festival was held died of a heart attack (age 53).
Keith Knudson, drummer with The Doobie Brothers, died of pneumonia in 2005 (age 56).
History:
George Harrison's tonsils were removed in 1969 at London's University College Hospital. The tonsils were destroyed so they could not be sold. (Oh, what a price would have been paid if eBay was around back then!)
In 1965, the Supremes released "Stop in the Name of Love," which became their fourth #1 single.
In 1960, the House of Representatives Special Subcommittee on Legislative Oversight opened hearings on disc jockey "payola."
Buddy Holly signed a recording contract with Decca Records (the contract left off the "E" in his last name, "Holley" so he dropped it from his stage name, as well) in 1956.
In 1972, London's Royal Albert Hall canceled a performance of Frank Zappa's classical opus "200 Motels." They claimed the lyrics were obscene.
Queen released their first hit single, "Killer Queen" in 1975.
In 1988, the Who (minus the late Keith Moon) reunited for their 25th anniversary at a London awards ceremony.
Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood formed Blind Faith in 1969.
Right Said Fred started a three-week run at #1 on the US singles chart with the inane cut, “I'm Too Sexy” (#2 hit in the UK).
In 1981, R.E.M. made their first ever-recording sessions at Bombay Studios Smyrna, Georgia. Tracks included “Gardening At Night,” “Radio Free Europe" and “(Don't Go Back To) Rockville.”
Bob Dylan went to #1 on the US album chart in 1975 with “Blood On The Tracks,” his second #1 album.
In 1975, the Ohio Players went to #1 on the US singles chart with “Fire.”
On their first full day in New York in 1964, the Beatles (minus George who had a sore throat), went for a photo-opportunity walk around Central Park. Extra police were called in to keep fans away. Later in the day The Ronettes interviewed the band for radio.
Mark Dinning went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1960 with 'Teen Angel', a #37 hit in the UK.
The Quarry Men appeared at the Wilson Hall in Garston in 1958. After the show Paul McCartney introduced George Harrison to John Lennon, George performed “Raunchy” for John, who was impressed with the young guitarist.
Oasis were forced to cancel their first foreign tour in 1994, after they were deported from Holland. The band was involved in a drunken brawl on a cross-channel ferry resulting in members of the band being arrested and locked in the brig on the ferry.
Creed Bratton- Grass Roots (1943)
Paul Wheatbread- Gary Puckett and the Union Gap (1946)
Adolpho De La Para, drums, Canned Heat (1946)
Dan Seals- England Dan & John Ford Coley (1948)
Vince Neil- Motley Crue (1961)
Dave 'Phoenix' Ferrel- Linkin Park (1977)
Larry Verne ("Please Mr. Custer") turns 73.
Sammy Llanas- The BoDeans (1961)
They Are Missed:
Del Shannon died of self inflicted gunshot wounds in 1990.
In 1973, Max Yasgur the owner of the Woodstock farm where the 1969 festival was held died of a heart attack (age 53).
Keith Knudson, drummer with The Doobie Brothers, died of pneumonia in 2005 (age 56).
History:
George Harrison's tonsils were removed in 1969 at London's University College Hospital. The tonsils were destroyed so they could not be sold. (Oh, what a price would have been paid if eBay was around back then!)
In 1965, the Supremes released "Stop in the Name of Love," which became their fourth #1 single.
In 1960, the House of Representatives Special Subcommittee on Legislative Oversight opened hearings on disc jockey "payola."
Buddy Holly signed a recording contract with Decca Records (the contract left off the "E" in his last name, "Holley" so he dropped it from his stage name, as well) in 1956.
In 1972, London's Royal Albert Hall canceled a performance of Frank Zappa's classical opus "200 Motels." They claimed the lyrics were obscene.
Queen released their first hit single, "Killer Queen" in 1975.
In 1988, the Who (minus the late Keith Moon) reunited for their 25th anniversary at a London awards ceremony.
Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood formed Blind Faith in 1969.
Right Said Fred started a three-week run at #1 on the US singles chart with the inane cut, “I'm Too Sexy” (#2 hit in the UK).
In 1981, R.E.M. made their first ever-recording sessions at Bombay Studios Smyrna, Georgia. Tracks included “Gardening At Night,” “Radio Free Europe" and “(Don't Go Back To) Rockville.”
Bob Dylan went to #1 on the US album chart in 1975 with “Blood On The Tracks,” his second #1 album.
In 1975, the Ohio Players went to #1 on the US singles chart with “Fire.”
On their first full day in New York in 1964, the Beatles (minus George who had a sore throat), went for a photo-opportunity walk around Central Park. Extra police were called in to keep fans away. Later in the day The Ronettes interviewed the band for radio.
Mark Dinning went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1960 with 'Teen Angel', a #37 hit in the UK.
The Quarry Men appeared at the Wilson Hall in Garston in 1958. After the show Paul McCartney introduced George Harrison to John Lennon, George performed “Raunchy” for John, who was impressed with the young guitarist.
Oasis were forced to cancel their first foreign tour in 1994, after they were deported from Holland. The band was involved in a drunken brawl on a cross-channel ferry resulting in members of the band being arrested and locked in the brig on the ferry.