Music News & Notes

METALLICA: 'Load' Vinyl Release Pushed Back To June

The release date of the vinyl version of METALLICA's 1996 album "Load" has been postponed until June 15 from the previously announced May 18. The LP will be made available outside North America on July 5.

Commented the band: "If you've been following along, you know the drill — there will be two packages, a two-disc gatefold package for the 33.3 version, and a box for the four-disc, 180-gram, 45-rpm deluxe edition.

"All the music was half-speed-mastered from the original analog tapes at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood, California to bring you audiophile quality.





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REM to reissue 'Fables Of The Reconstruction' with bonus rarities disc

REM have announced details of the reissue of their third studio album 'Fables Of The Reconstruction'.

Due out on July 13, the '25th Anniversary Edition' of the group's LP will include a remastered version of the original album, plus a 14-track disc called 'The Athens Demos', which features early recordings of songs like 'Driver 8', 'Can't Get There From Here' and the unreleased track 'Throw Those Trolls Away'.

The album will be issued on double CD, 180-gram vinyl LP and as a digital download.

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Ronnie James Dio Public Memorial Set For May 30

Ronnie James Dio’s life is to be celebrated at a public memorial service in Los Angeles later this month, it’s been announced. The former Black Sabbath vocalist passed away on Sunday following a battle from cancer. He was 67.

Fans have been asked to gather at The Hall of Liberty in Hollywood from 2pm (local time) on May 30.

A statement on Dio's official Facebook page said: “This will be a celebration of the life and music of Ronnie James Dio and is open to all of his friends and fans from around the world.”

All Vinyl - All The Time

New Kid on the Cherokee Street Block: Phono-Mode, A Record Store for Vinyl Junkies

By Diana Benanti

SOURCE: http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com

​Attention vinyl devotees and converts: There's a new place in town to get your 180 grams and 45s. Phono-Mode opened on Cherokee Street in April, and it's the only all-vinyl store in St. Louis.

Phono-Mode is located in the historic antique district, and it's owner Jason Lammert's first business venture. The place is small but stocked with everything from classic '60s rock and garage to newer indie artists; the store sold out of the new Broken Social Scene album in a few days. Lammert said he's primarily interested in '60's and early '70s. The prices range from 25 cents for 45s to $55 for a two-album Bauhaus reissue, but most of the records are in the $15 dollar range.

Lammert admits opening an all-vinyl record store in a down economy is a bit of a gamble, but he thinks the resurgence in vinyl collecting over the past few years has created a ready market. According to a Reuters article, Nielsen SoundScan reported 2.8 million vinyl units sold in 2009, up from 1.8 million in 2008. Lammert believes that CDs will become obsolete before vinyl does: "MP3s are the same quality as CDs, there's no reason to hang onto them when you have that digital format. A record is more nostalgic and collectable."

He said most of his customers have surprisingly been "people of our generation" and not people who lived through the heyday of vinyl. Phono-Mode's sole employee besides Lammert is local zinester Ben Stegmann, who added that Phono-Mode's clientele is niche-oriented in its tastes. "Beatles fans buy nothing but the Beatles, some people will only buy jazz and nothing more."

What Phono-Mode will carry depends on the limitations of the modest space, but Lammert is unpretentious and aims to appeal to a wide variety of tastes, from electronic to reggae, two genres that he thinks are lacking in the stock of other stores. Lammert said he shies away from the super mainstream stuff, most country and classical, but if, say, Justin Bieber were to come out with an LP, and someone really, really wanted it, he would be willing to order it.

There's been a lot of support from the neighborhood; when I arrived, Lammert was chatting with other shop owners on the street. The only complaints so far have been about their music being too loud. Lammert said they're going to put in a small listening station in the front of the store where people can hang out and listen before they buy.

Lammert doesn't think Phono-Mode will take business away from Apop Records -- which is located on Cherokee as well, west of Jefferson Avenue -- and said the proximity of the two stores may actually help his business. In fact, he thinks that Phono-Mode's size is an advantage, not a weakness: You can get through the stacks in an hour or so, which is an impossibility at more established stores such as Euclid Records or Vintage Vinyl.

And while Lammert of course wants people to come in to Phono-Mode, he says that people should frequent all the record stores in the city.

"People should go everywhere," Lammert says. "Check out as many places as you can."

Phono-Mode
2308 Cherokee Street
314-489-4567
Hours:
Monday and Tuesday: noon to 6 p.m.
Wednesday through Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This Date In Music History - May 20

Birthdays:

Jill Jackson - Paul and Paula (1942)

Joe Cocker (1944)

Cherilyn Sarkasian (Cher) - Sonny & Cher, Solo (1946)


Warren Cann - Ultravox (1952)

Jimmy Henderson - Black Oak Arkansas (1954)

Steve George - Mr Mister (1955)

Jane Wieldin - Go-Go's and solo (1958)

Sue Cowsill - Cowsills (1960)

Nick Heyward - Haircut 100 (1961)

Dan Wilson - Semisonic (1961)

Brian Nash - Frankie Goes To Hollywood (1963)

Patti Russo - best known as the female lead vocalist with Meat Loaf (1964)

Thomas Gorman - Belly (1966)

Busta Rhymes (1972)


They Are Missed:

In 1964, Rudy Lewis of The Drifters died (age 28) under mysterious circumstances the night before the group was set to record "Under the Boardwalk." Former Drifters backup singer Johnny Moore was brought back to perform lead vocals for the recording session.

Born on this day in 1947 - Steve Currie, T Rex. Currie died on April 28, 1981.


History:

Bill Haley and the Comets' "Rock Around the Clock" was released in 1954. Interestingly it was not successful until it was released in 1955 on the soundtrack to 'Blackboard Jungle.'

In 1960, the Silver Beetles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stu Sutcliffe, and Tommy Moore) played the first night of a short tour of Scotland backing singer Johnny Gentle, at Alloa Town Hall in Clackmannanshire. Three of the Silver Beetles adopted stage names: Paul McCartney became Paul Ramon, George Harrison was Carl Harrison, and Stuart Sutcliffe became Stuart de Stael.

Also in 1960 - Disc jockey Alan Freed was indicted for income tax evasion stemming from payola.

Here's a great story: In 1966, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of the Who grew tired of waiting for John Entwistle and Keith Moon to arrive for their gig at the Ricky Tick Club in Windsor, England so they took to the stage with the bass player and drummer of the local band that opened the show. When Moon and Entwistle finally arrived in the middle of the set, a fight broke out, with Townshend hitting Moon on the head with his guitar. Moon and Entwistle quit the band, (and rejoined a week later).

In 1967, the Beatles new album 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' had a special preview on the Kenny Everett BBC Light program, 'Where It's At,' playing every track from the album, (except "A Day In The Life," which the BBC had banned saying it could promote drug taking).

George Harrison visited the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for the first time in 1967.

Jimi Hendrix signed his first American record contract with Reprise Records in 1967.

The Young Rascals started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1967 with "Groovin."



In 1968, the Beatles, armed with a bunch of new songs after their visit to India, met at George Harrison's home in Esher, Surrey. They taped 23 new songs on George's 4-track recorder, many of which would end up on The Beatles' next two albums, (the White Album) and Abbey Road. The demos include: "Cry Baby Cry," "Revolution," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Blackbird" and "Child of Nature" (a Lennon song that became "Jealous Guy").

In 1969, while watching a baseball game in Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, Peter Cetera of Chicago was set upon by four Marines (because they didn't like the length of his hair). They broke his jaw, resulting in the singer spending two days in intensive care.

The final feature film involving The Beatles 'Let It Be' was premiered in 1970, simultaneously in London and in Liverpool, a week after the film's US release.

Paul McCartney went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1978 with "With A Little Luck," his sixth solo US #1.

Elton John performed in Leningrad, Soviet Union in 1979.

Priscilla Presley held a press conference in 1988 to deny that Elvis was still alive. Umm, we all knew that.....

Paula Abdul started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1989 with "Forever Your Girl," her second US #1 hit.

The Metallica single "Until It Sleeps" was released world-wide in 1996, excluding North America, where it was released the next day.



U2 caused traffic chaos in Kansas City, Missouri in 1997, after they paid for traffic control to close down five lanes so they could shoot the video for "Last Night On Earth," Apart form major traffic jams a passing Cadillac crashed into a plate glass window trying to avoid a cameraman.

The funeral of Frank Sinatra was held at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills in 1998. Mourners in attendance included, Tony Bennett, Faye Dunaway, Tony Curtis, Liza Minnelli, Kirk Douglas, Angie Dickinson, Sophia Loren, Bob Newhart, Mia Farrow and Jack Nicholson.

In 1998, Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward was taken to hospital in London after suffering a heart attack during a band rehearsal.

The Beach Boys got a monument in their home town of Hawthorne, CA in 2005. It’s California Historical Landmark No. 1041 in case you are interested.

Ozzy Osbourne appeared at the Prince’s Trust 30th Birthday concert at the Tower of London in 2006. Prince Charles and other members of the British royal family attended the benefit event. "I have met lots of young people helped by the Prince's Trust and been inspired by all of them," Osbourne says of the charity, which provides financial aid and mentor programs for young people.

It’s Levon Helm Day in Woodstock, NY in 2006. Helm, best known as the drummer/singer for The Band, is a long time Woodstock resident.

The Steve Miller Band's first-ever DVD package, Live From Chicago, hit the stores in 2008. The three-disc set includes footage from two ‘07 concerts, a behind-the-scenes documentary and live renditions of 12 of the group's hits. 2008

Green Day's '21st Century Breakdown' makes its debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart in 2009. The disc claims the top spot after moving 215,000 copies in only three days. It’s the group's second chart topper, 'American Idiot' was the first.

KISS, Carlos Santana and Queen’s Brian May were guest performers on the season finale of FOX's American Idol in 2009. Kris Allen gets the nod in a surprising victory over the heavily favored Adam Lambert.

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 17, 2010


DEAR JERRY: As a fan of the 1960s British music, I often buy entire collections of those type records on a pot luck basis. In those lots I have come up with some very interesting items about which I knew nothing and wouldn't have bought individually. One such record is “Zoot Suit” backed with “I'm the Face” (Back Door 4) by a rock band called the High Numbers.

About all I know about them is they never had a hit record in the U.S.

What can you tell me about the High Numbers? Who were they?
—Ken Madigan, Madison, Wisc.

DEAR KEN: The short answer requires only a simple transposition within your question: They were Who.

However, I suspect you seek a slightly more illuminating reply.

Formed in the spring of 1964, the High Numbers were the same foursome who one year later became world famous as the Who, and eventually one of rock's greatest bands: Roger Daltrey, John Entwisle, Pete Townshend, and Keith Moon.

Their first record deal came with Fontana, and resulted in a single coupling “Zoot Suit” and “I'm the Face” (Fontana TF-480).

As one would expect, the first record by the Who would be quite collectible, especially a non-hit that didn't sell very well. This coveted single, not issued in America despite so much British music coming our way in 1964, now sells in the $1,000 to $1,500 range.

The Back Door “Zoot Suit” is a $4.00 to $8.00 reissue, made in the 1980s specifically for Who fans whose music budgets didn't allow for $1,000 records.

The High Numbers signed with Decca in 1965, then came their first hit, “I Can't Explain.” By mid-April this tune ranked in the New Musical Express Top 10.


DEAR JERRY: I am a newcomer to vinyl collecting, and I am having a lot of fun with this new hobby.

When it comes to describing condition, I notice most of the dealers use one- or two-letter abbreviations.

Since this is so common, can you put together a list that will help me to break the code?
—Angie Beachwood, York, Pa.

DEAR ANGIE: Gladly. Here is the standard system of record grading used by buyers and sellers worldwide:

M (mint): A mint item must be absolutely perfect. Nothing less can be honestly described as mint. Even brand new purchases can easily be flawed in some manner and not qualify as mint. To allow for tiny blemishes, the highest grade used by most dealers is NM (near-mint).

VG (very good): Records in very good condition should have a minimum of visual or audible imperfections, and they should not detract much from your enjoyment of owning it. This grade is halfway between good and near-mint.

G (good): Good enough to fill a gap until a better copy becomes available. Good condition merchandise will show definite signs of wear and tear, probably because no protective care was given the item. Records in good condition should at least play all the way through without skipping. You will often see a plus (”) or minus (-) sign to indicate the item is slightly better or worse than the primary grade, such as VG” (very good plus) and

VG- (very good minus). M- is synonymous with NM (near-mint).

The condition of most older records is probably something less than near-mint condition, so it is very important to use the near-mint price range only as a starting point in record appraising.


IZ ZAT SO? For the first 30 years of the Rock Era in England, only 14 singles made their debut at No. 1 on the New Musical Express chart: (1958) “Jailhouse Rock” (Elvis Presley); (1960) “My Old Man's a Dustman” (Lonnie Donnegan); (1960) “It's Now Or Never” (Elvis Presley); (1961) “Surrender” (Elvis Presley); (1962) “The Young Ones” (Cliff Richard); (1963) “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (Beatles); (1964) “Can't Buy Me Love” (Beatles); (1964) “A Hard Day's Night” (Beatles); (1964) “Little Red Rooster” (Rolling Stones); (1964) “I Feel Fine” (Beatles); (1965) “Ticket to Ride” (Beatles); (1965) “Help!” (Beatles); (1965) “Day Tripper” (Beatles); and (1967) “All You Need Is Love” (Beatles).

All became huge hits in England, but only the 11 by Elvis and the Beatles were also U.S. hits. The tunes by Lonnie Donnegan, Cliff Richard, and Rolling Stones never charted in the States.

Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column.  Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368  E-mail: jpo@olympus.net  Visit his Web site: http://www.jerryosborne.com/. All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.

Copyright 2010 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

Musical nook where records rule

Here's a neat article from India, and yes, they enjoy vinyl there as well!

SOURCE: http://www.telegraphindia.com/

by ARKA DAS

The Free School Street neighbourhood is a nostalgic nook of the city where firaangs still touch down to get a feel of what was once a bustling hub of hippie culture.

Just before the corner where the road takes a turn into the upmarket bustle of Lindsay Street, a series of quaint gramophone record-players lure passers-by.

Often, when the MTV-friendly trash on the CD systems run their daily course, the 76s circle out interesting tunes: jazz and blues standards, screechy Motown, the odd Elvis, sometimes Marley, Dylan or The Meters. Anyone who has ever had a record player knows the sound of a well-oiled one, and these shops maintained theirs well enough.

A stone’s throw from the intersection of Sudder Street and Free School Street, rechristened Mirza Ghalib Street, stands Record Prince, better known as Chacha’s shop.

Chacha —Anis Ashraf, 65 – hardly visits the store these days; it is manned by his two sons, Danish and Abid. This is the Mecca of vinyl records in town, not to mention a few well-maintained gramophone players, some of which are even up for sale.

The racks on display on the pavement with cassette tapes — yes, some of these still exist — and CDs of the latest Bollywood remixes are a facade that throws off all but the genuine vinyl aficionado.

The real gems are kept in a room, rather a musty hole in the wall, behind the shop. Stacked up in racks, the records are alphabetically arranged according to the artistes’ names. Each one goes right back to its place after a record-to-tape, or now record-to-CD, capture.

While he had sold off a large part of his collection a decade back, there are still over 5,000 records at Ashraf’s store. His collection is a Flower-Power music lover’s haven, a jazz aficionado’s well-kept secret and a roomful of rarities for the classical music devotee.

In the tiny backroom, Santana’s eponymous debut album from 1969, a bunch of albums by the Southern Rock legends Allman Brothers Band and Charlie Daniels Band, records from the Seventies by British progressive rock pioneers King Crimson and jam band pioneers like the Grateful Dead share shelves with jazz must-haves like Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue, live albums by the Bill Evans Trio and Weather Report classics.

Then there are records of everyone from Pandit Ravi Shankar to Debussy, Rabindrasangeet renditions by Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, not to mention a nostalgic 80s throwback with everyone from Jackson to Kraftwerk on offer.

Ashraf “inherited” the gems from their previous owner, Bakhtiar Jaan. As an employee of the nameless record store that Bakhtiar ran, Ashraf came to learn not just the technical details of how a 78rpm is supposed to run smooth but also about genres and artistes that were worlds apart from his upbringing.

Setting up Record Prince in 1965, he still keeps up with practices that he learned on the job. To this day, he maintains worn-out diaries that detail track names and artistes on a particular LP, year of publication and total length of the recording. Details like these were prized titbits that customers would lap up while getting “transfers” done, mostly to cassette tapes.

The music is one thing. Then there’s the artwork on these vinyls: imagine the excitement of laying your hands on original LPs from The Beatles’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, with its sleeve after sleeve of sheer psychedelia, the paranoid face that reflects King Crimson’s alien soundscapes on In The Court Of The Crimson King or Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here, designed by British graphic designer/photographer Storm Thorgerson.

“While a number of vinyl records from my collection are broken, there are a few that are over five or six decades old. The charm of the vinyl is that even with years of repeated playing, these do not lose their warm, rich sound. The same cannot be said about cassettes or even CDs,” Ashraf smiles.

And while he’s officially “retired” from the business, the magic of the vinyl hasn’t quite left him.

“I’ve handed over most of the duties to my sons now, but I still keep track of a rare LP being sold from Record Prince’s collection,” says Ashraf.

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 05/15/2010

1. LP - The Beatles "Yesterday And Today" 3rd State Mono - $3,954.85

2. 45 - Nirvana "Love Buzz" 28/1000 Sub Pop - $3,050.99

3. 78 - Halfway House Orchestra "Pussy Cat Rag" / "Barataria" Okeh - $2,606.00

4. 78 - Muddy Waters "Rollin' And Tumblin' Part 1" / "Rollin' And Tumblin' Part 2" Aristocrat - $2,200.00

5. 78 - Furry Lewis "Kassie Jones Part 1" / "Kassie Jones Part 2" Victor - $2,126.01


Top 5 brought to you by:

New Vinyl Record Talk Tuesday 5pm ET / 8pm PT

Randy's back this week and its just the three of us. We look back over the career of Ronnie James Dio, playing some Elf and Ronnie Dio and the Prophets.

We talk about how to know when you've found a killer (and valuable) 45 that no one in North America has ever heard of.


And in the news, Paul McCartney continues to be unhappy with EMI.

More on this week's top 5 on Vinyl Record Talk, Tuesday 8:00PM Eastern / 5:00PM Pacific on Radio Dentata.

http://shows.radiodentata.com/shows/accidental-nostalgia/

This Date In Music History - May 18

Birthdays:

Albert Hammond (1942)

Bruce Gilbert - Wire (1946)

George Alexander - Flamin Groovies (1946)

Joe Bonsall - Oak Ridge Boys (1948)

Rick Wakeman - Strawbs, Yes (1949)

William Wallace - Guess Who (1949)

George Strait - He has the second most number one country hits among any artist in any musical genre in history, totaling 53 number one hit songs (only Conway Twitty has more, with 55). (1952)

Butch Tavares - Tavares (1953)

Michael Cretu - Enigma (1957)

Page Hamilton - Helmet (1960)

Hugh Whittaker - Housemartins (1961)

Martika (1969)


They Are Missed:

In 1980, Joy Division singer and guitarist Ian Curtis hanged himself in the kitchen of his house in Macclesfield, England at the age of 23. Curtis had the Iggy Pop album 'The Idiot', playing on his stereo and left a note that said, 'At this very moment, I wish I were dead. I Just can't cope anymore.'

Born on this day in 1911, Joe Turner, blues songwriter. Wrote "Shake Rattle and Roll," "Sweet Sixteen." He died on November 23, 1985.

Born today on 1912, Perry Como, singer and TV presenter. Como died on 12th May 2001.

Clint Warwick, the original bass player with The Moody Blues, died in 2004 from liver disease at the age of 63. Clint left the band in 1966 after playing on their only number one hit, "Go Now."


History:

Wilbert Harrison’s “Kansas City,” written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, topped the pop chart in 1959. The song was later covered by The Beatles (“Beatles VI”).

Jimmy Soul was a #1 on the US singles chart in 1963 with "If You Want To Be Happy."



In 1964, a riot broke out in Hamilton, Scotland during a Rolling Stones UK tour when over 4,000 fans with forged tickets gatecrashed the bands gig at the Chantingall Hotel.

The Animals recorded "House Of The Rising Sun" in 1964.



The Hollies recorded "Bus Stop" in 1966.

In 1966, the Castiles (with Bruce Springsteen on vocals), made their first recordings at Mr Music Inc in Brick Town, New Jersey. They cut two Springsteen songs, "Baby I" and "That’s What You Get." The songs were cut directly to disc, of which seven or eight test pressings of the studio takes were made.

John Lennon and Paul McCartney sang backing vocals on The Rolling Stones track "We Love You" during a session at Olympic Studios, London in 1967.

Also in 1967, the Beatles were selected to represent the UK for the first-ever global-wide satellite broadcast. The group agreed to be shown in the studio recording a song written especially for the occasion, scheduled for June 25. John Lennon wrote "All You Need is Love" which was thought to sum up the 1967 'summer of love' and The Beatles' sympathies. With the satellite broadcast being broadcast to many non-English-speaking countries, the BBC asked The Beatles to 'keep it simple'.



Archie Bell and The Drells started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1968 with "Tighten Up."

In 1968, Grateful Dead, The Doors, The Steve Miller Band and Jefferson Airplane all appeared at The Northern California Rock Festival in Santa Clara. What a show....

Tiny Tim's "Tiptoe through the Tulips" was released in 1968. It was originally a number one hit for Nick Lucas in 1929.

Ray Stevens started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart in 1974 with the novelty song "The Streak," which capitalized on the then popular craze of streaking.

"The Buddy Holly Story" movie premiered in Dallas, Texas in 1978.

Diana Ross left Motown Records in 1981 and signed a $20 million contract with RCA (the most lucrative ever at the time).

Simple Minds were at #1 on the US singles chart in 1984 with "Don't You Forget About Me," taken from the film 'The Breakfast Club.'

R.E.M. went to #1 on the US album chart in 1991 with 'Out Of Time.'

Hi-Five went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1991 with "I Like The Way, (The Kissing Game)."

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony started a 8 week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1996 with "Tha Crossroads."

George Strait was at #1 on the US album chart in 1997 with ‘Carrying Your Love With Me.’

The Backstreet Boys released their third album "Millennium" in 1999.

The Isley Brothers were at #1 on the US album chart in 2003 with ‘Body Kiss’ the group's first US #1 in over 30 years.

Alice In Chains officially kicked off their reunion tour at Los Angeles' Roxy Theater in 2006. They get support Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, former Screaming Trees leader Mark Lanegan and Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan who accompanies Alice In Chains on guitar for five songs.

In 2010, the Rolling Stones reissued their ‘72 double album “Exile On Main Street” with previously unreleased songs (“Plundered My Soul," "Dancing In The Light” and "Pass The Wine”) and alternate takes ("Soul Survivor" and "Loving Cup"). The deluxe edition also has the documentary, Stones In Exile, with rare archival film footage and photos.

Also in 2010, the DVD collection John Lennon: Rare and Unseen is in stores. The post-Beatles set contains rare television appearances, behind-the-scenes film footage and photographs.

New Music Releases - May 18, 2010

13th Floor Elevators - Headstone: Contact Sessions
Aluk Todolo - Finstrenis
Andre Williams - That's All I Need (vinyl)
Ashford & Simpson - Come As You Are
Ashford & Simpson - Gimme Something Real
Ashford & Simpson - I Wanna Be Selfish
Ashford & Simpson - Is It Still Good to Ya
Ashford & Simpson - Musical Affair
Ashford & Simpson - Performance
Ashford & Simpson - So So Satisfied
Ashford & Simpson - Stay Free
Audio Bullys - Higher Than The Eiffel
Audra Mae - The Happiest Lamb (vinyl)
Bad Religion - 30 Years (Free Live Compilation)
Band of Horses - Infinite Arms (vinyl) (vinyl & CD box set)
Bing Crosby - Bing on Broadway
Bing Crosby - El Senor Bing (Deluxe Edition)
Bing Crosby - On the Sentimental Side
Bing Crosby - Return to Paradise Islands (Deluxe Edition)
Black Keys - Brothers (2-LP vinyl & CD)
Bloodstone - Party
Bo Bice - 3
Buddy Guy - DJ Play My Blues
Camera Obscura - Nights Are Cold (vinyl)
Carson Taylor - Truly Without
Cave - Pure Moods (vinyl)
CeCe Winans - Songs of Emotional Healing
Cheap Trick - Doctor
Cheap Trick - Found All the Parts/Busted
Cheap Trick - Standing on the Edge
Chin Chin - Sound of the Westway (vinyl)
Club 8 - The People's Record
Cream - Fresh Cream/Disraeli Gears
Crooked Still - Some Strange Country
DEVO - New Traditionalists (remastered with bonus tracks) (vinyl)
Daniel Higgs - Say God (vinyl)
David Bazan - Live at Electrical Audio (vinyl)
Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers/Under The Gun
Depreciation Guild - Spirit Youth (vinyl)
Don McLean - American Pie (180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl)
Duane Eddy - Girls! Girls! Girls!
Duran Duran - Duran Duran (Deluxe Edition) (2 CDs/1 PAL DVD)
Duran Duran - Seven & the Ragged Tiger (Deluxe Edition) (2 CDs/1 PAL DVD)
Eli "Paperboy" Reed - Come & Get It
Elisa Randazzo - Bruises & Butterflies
Elvis Presley - For LP Fans Only
Eric Clapton - Time Pieces V.1/Time Pieces V.2
Exodus - Exhibit B: The Human Condition
Gladys Knight & the Pips - About Love
Gordon Lightfoot - Cold on the Shoulder
Gordon Lightfoot - Don Quixote
Gordon Lightfoot - Dream Street Rose
Gordon Lightfoot - Endless Wire
Gordon Lightfoot - Old Dan's Records
Gordon Lightfoot - Painter Passing Through
Gordon Lightfoot - Salute
Gordon Lightfoot - Shadows
Gordon Lightfoot - Sit Down Young Stranger
Gordon Lightfoot - Summer Side of Life
Gordon Lightfoot - Summertime Dream
Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown
Gordon Lightfoot - Waiting for You
Gordon Voidwell - Ivy League Circus
Gotan Project - Tango 3.0 (vinyl)
Grand Funk Railroad - We're an American Band (Audio Fidelity)
Great Lake Swimmers - Legion Sessions
Harvey Milk - A Small Turn Of Human Kindness
Hawkwind - USA Tour 1989-90
High Places - Can't Feel Born
Holy F**k - Latin (vinyl)
Holy Ghost! - Static on the Wire EP
Hondells - Go Little Honda
Hot Tuna - Live at the New Orleans House Berkeley CA Sept 69
Jackson 5 - Diana Ross Presents / ABC
Jamie Lidell - Compass (vinyl)
Janelle Monae - The Archandroid
Jayhawks - The Jayhawks (aka The Bunkhouse Album) (vinyl)
Joe Tex - Singles As & Bs 1:1960-1964
John Hughes - Reset The Warehouse
John Mayall - Blues Express
John Zorn - Dictee: Liber Novus
Johnny & the Hurricanes - Stormsville
Johnny Winter - Johnny Winter: Live at The Fillmore East 10/3/70
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Controversial Negro (reissue with bonus tracks)
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Now I Got Worry (reissue with bonus tracks)
Jose Feliciano - & the Feeling's Good
Jose Feliciano - Compartments
Jose Feliciano - Encore! Jose Feliciano's Finest Performances
Jose Feliciano - Just Wanna Rock 'n' Roll
Keepaway - Baby Style
Kiss - Kiss / Hotter Than Hell
Kool & the Gang - Ladies Night / Good Times
LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls (vinyl)
LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening
Labelle - Pressure Cookin'
Laurie Anderson - Only An Expert (vinyl)
Lena Horne - Sings: The M-G-M Singles
Lenny White - Anomaly
Locust - Peel Sessions
Macy Gray - The Sellout
Madlib - Medicine Show No. 5 History Of The Loop Digga: 1990-2000 feat. CDP
Magic Slim & the Teardrops - Raising the Bar
Mary Gauthier - The Foundling
Massive Attack - Heligoland (3-LP vinyl & CD)
Melissa Ferrick - Enough About Me
Miggs - Wide Awake
Moby - Wait for Me. Remixes! (vinyl)
Modern English - Stop Start (reissue)
Mommyheads - Flying Suit (reissue)
Muddy Waters - Rough Guide: Muddy Waters (2 CDs)
Nas and Damian Marley - Distant Relatives
Norman - Hay Hay Make A Wish And Turn Away
not An Airplane - Things And People
Otis Redding - Live on the Sunset Strip
Ozric Tentacles - Erpland (remastered with bonus tracks & DVD)
Pearly Gate Music - Pearly Gate Music
Pete Francis - The Movie We Are in (vinyl)
Phil Ochs - Phil Ochs in Concert (reissue)
Phillip Bailey - Continuation
Poco - Live at Columbia Studios Hollywood 9/30/71
Poison Control Center - Sad Sour Future (vinyl)
Pontiak - Living (vinyl)
Rangda - False Flag (vinyl)
Richard Harris - Prophet By Kahil Gibran
Rick James - Fire It Up
Rick James - Garden of Love
Rick Wakeman - Past, Present & Future
Rod Stewart - Every Picture Tells A Story / Gasoline Alley
Rolling Stones - Exile on Main St. (remastered) (vinyl) (2-CD edition) (2-CD, DVD, 2-LP super deluxe edition)
Sarah Jaffe - Suburban Nature
Shirelles - Sing The Golden Oldies / Spontaneous Combustion
Solex vs Cristina Martinez & Jon Spencer - Amsterdam Throwdown, King Street Showdown
Spoon - Kill the Moonlight (vinyl reissue)
Staind - Tormented
Statler Brothers - Gospel Music 1
Statler Brothers - Gospel Music 2
Steely Dan - Cant Buy A Thrill / Gaucho
Supremes - Meet the Supremes (remastered 2-CD edition with bonus tracks)
Susan Cowsill - Just Believe It (reissue)
Susan Cowsill - Lighthouse
The Fall - Your Future Our Clutter (vinyl)
The Sadies - Darker Circles (vinyl)
Toots & The Maytals - Flip & Twist
Tracey Thorn - Love and its Opposite (vinyl)
Triumph - Greatest Hits Remixed
Tunng - Sashimi (vinyl)
Uriah Heep - Firefly / Abominog
Various Artists - Ace Story Vol. 1
Various Artists - Bubblegum Music Is the Naked Truth
Various Artists - Diggin' Deeper
Various Artists - Ears of Stone: 1960s Folk Country & Pop From Nashville
Various Artists - Friday Night Lights Vol. 2 (Original Television Soundtrack)
Various Artists - Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers
Various Artists - New World Man: A Tribute To Rush
Various Artists - Nobody Sings Dylan Like Dylan
Various Artists - Putumayo Presents South Africa
Various Artists - Rockabye Baby: Lullaby Renditions of Kanye West
Various Artists - Sing Me To Sleep - Indie Lullabies
Various Artists - The Goldwax Story Vol. 3
We Have Band - WHB (vinyl)
Willie Nelson - Anthology (W/Dvd)

Looking for the latest vinyl releases?  Go here: 

http://www.insound.com/index.php?from=5141

Ronnie James Dio (1942-2010)

Ronnie James Dio, the vocalist for Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath (replacing Ozzy Osbourne), Dio and Heaven and Hell, passed away on Sunday morning after battling stomach cancer. He was 67.

In a statement on Dio's website http://www.ronniejamesdio.com/  his wife Wendy said "my heart is broken".

"Many, many friends and family were able to say their private good-byes before he peacefully passed away," the statement said.

"Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us."
- Wendy Dio

Dio started his career in the 60's, playing bass and trumpet for a local group called the Vegas Kings. The group later became known as the Electric Elves and, in the early 70's, Elf. The group released three albums, none of which charted, and were guests on two album by Roger Glover of Deep Purple. It was through Glover that they met Richie Blackmore, who used the musicians from the group to form Rainbow.


Read more: http://www.vintagevinylnews.com/2010/05/ronnie-james-dio-1942-2010.html 



Artists React to the Passing of Ronnie James Dio

Kiss:
"We mourn the tragic passing of the great Ronnie James Dio. In addition to his powerhouse vocal ability, Ronnie was a true gentleman who always emanated great warmth and friendship to us and everyone around him. We will miss him. - Paul, Gene, Tommy and Eric"

David Coverdale of Whitesnake:
"[I was] so very sad to hear of Ronnie's passing... My thoughts, prayers and condolence to his family and friends."

Read more: http://www.vintagevinylnews.com/

Also there is a special tribute over at http://www.gigwise.com/

Music News & Notes

New MILLIONS EP Sees Release!

Brutal Panda Records is proud to announce the release of MILLIONS‘ new EP, ‘Panic Program‘. The EP will be available in 7? vinyl format and will feature 4 brand new tracks. The tracks were recorded this past November at Bricktop Recording in Chicago, IL with the band and Andy Nelson (Harpoon, Weekend Nachos) handling production duties, and mastering being taken care of by Carl Saff (Young Widows, The Atlas Moth). The press will be limited to 500 copies with 300 on cosmic green and 200 on black asteroid.








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FIGHT AMP ‘Manners and Praise’ To See Limited Edition Vinyl Release!

Brutal Panda Records is teaming up with Red Sun Industries to release NJ noise-rockers FIGHT AMP’s newest full-length, ‘Manners & Praise’, on limited pearl-necklace white vinyl this winter.

‘Manners & Praise’ features 13 brand new tracks and was recorded this past summer at The Jam Room with Philip Cope (Kylesa, Baroness). Vinyl mastering will take place at Prairie Cat Mastering for optimal sound quality, and each record comes packaged with an 11?x16? poster insert. The press will be strictly limited to 500 copies.






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JAVELINA ‘Beasts Among Sheep’ To See Limited Edition Vinyl Release!

BRUTAL PANDA RECORDS is proud to announce the forthcoming release of Philadelphia sludge warriors, JAVELINA’s second full-length LP, ‘Beasts Among Sheep’ on vinyl this October! ‘Beasts Among Sheep’ features eight brand new tracks and was recorded and mixed by Sanford Parker (Nachtmystium, Pelican, The Gates of Slumber) at Volume Studios. The press will be limited to 500 copies with 300 on black ash vinyl and 200 on scorched red.






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This from Record Store Day.com:

BREAKING BEATLES NEWS! ! !

THERE'S A NEW STREET DATE FOR THE SPECIAL BEATLES PIECE, EXCLUSIVELY AT RECORD STORE DAY STORES!!! It's a LIMITED EDITION 7" featuring "Paperback Writer" b/w "Rain" and it's coming to the United States ON JUNE 8. PLEASE READ THE DISCLAIMER HERE and know that stores decide what they bring in, and any limited edition piece has the potential to sell out. BEST COURSE OF ACTON: talk to your local stores.

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New Bachman-Turner Album

Randy Bachman and Fred Turner are coming back this September with a new Bachman-Turner album and, to get your interest going, they're offering the song "Rock N' Roll is the Only Way Out" for free on their website.

Bachman commented "I'm thrilled to be working on new music with Fred and feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. I feel like I'm coming full circle with a completeness that I never ever thought I'd feel again."

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Vinyl Makes a Comeback

This Date In Music History - May 16

Birthdays:

Billy Cobham - jazz drummer, worked with Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra, James Brown, Santana (1944)

Robert Fripp - King Crimson (1946)

Jonathan Richman (1951)

Richard Page - Mr Mister (1953)

Boyd Tinsley - Dave Matthews Band (1964)

Chris Novoselic - Nirvana (1965)

Janet Jackson (1966)

Ralph Tresvant - New Edition (1968)

Simon Katz - Jamiroquai (1971)


They Are Missed:

The late Corinthian "Kripp" Johnson of the Dell-Vikings (sang lead on "Whispering Bells") was born in 1935 (died June 22, 1990).

Sammy Davis, Jr. died of throat cancer in 1990.

Born today in 1947, Barbara Lee, singer, The Chiffons. Lee died on May 15, 1992.

Soul singer Marv Johnson died of a stroke in 1993. He had the US Top 10 single "I Love The Way You Love." Johnson's recording of Berry Gordy's song "Come To Me" became Motown Records first ever-single release in May 1959.

Born on this day in 1919, Liberace, (Wladziu Valentinon Liberace). He died on February 4, 1997.

Born today in 1947, Darrell Sweet, Nazareth. Died on April 30, 1999 after suffering a fatal heart attack before a show in New Albany, Indiana.

Born today in 1939, Pervis Jackson, vocals, The Detroit Spinners. Died of cancer on 18th Aug 2008.


History:

Buddy Holly signed with Coral Records in 1957.

Motown Records was formed in 1960.

In 1963, the Beatles appeared live on the national BBC TV children's program ‘Pops and Lenny’, at Television Theatre, Shepherd's Bush Green, London, in front of an live audience. The Beatles performed "From Me to You" and a shortened version of "Please Please Me."

Mary Wells started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1964 with "My Guy."

In 1965, while driving away from a gig at the Civic Hall, Long Beach, California, the limo taking the Rolling Stones back to their hotel was besieged by fans who caved in the roof by standing on it. The band attempted to hold the roof up while their chauffeur drove off with bodies falling onto the road. Cool....

Also in 1965 - The Rolling Stones appeared with Chuck Berry on the television show "Hollywood A-GO-GO."

The Beach Boys appeared on the "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1965 and performed "Help Me Rhonda."

The Beach Boys released the album 'Pet Sounds' in the US in 1966. The album is now regarded as the masterpiece of composer-producer Brian Wilson, and is often hailed as one of the best and most influential albums in popular music

Tony Joe White recorded the swamp classic "Polk Salad Annie" in 1968.



In 1969, a man rushed on stage and grabbed the microphone. The Who’s Pete Townshend thinks it’s just some crazy guy from the audience and boots him off the stage. Turns out, the fellow is a NY policeman who ran on stage to tell the Fillmore audience the building next door was on fire. Townshend was dragged from the stage by police officers and spent the night in jail. The Who guitarist was later fined $30 for the offense.

Randy Bachman left the Guess Who in 1970.

Crosby Stills Nash & Young went to #1 on the US album chart in 1970 with 'Deja Vu.'

Al Green, Etta James and Joe Simon with J.J. Malone, Little Denise, Harvey Mandel and Paul Lagos appeared at Oakland Coliseum, California. It was billed as 'The Baddest Soul Show Of 1972.'

In 1974, Neil Young made an unannounced appearance at The Bottom Line in New York and played songs from his new album 'On The Beach.'

Dr. George C. Nichopoulous was indicted in Memphis in 1980 on 14 counts of overprescribing drugs to Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and nine other patients.

Former New Christy Minstrels member (with Kenny Rogers), Kim Carnes started a nine week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1981 with "Bette Davis Eyes."

In 1983, Michael Jackson introduced the "moonwalk" at the taping of the Motown 25th Anniversary TV special.



Ozzy Osbourne was arrested in Memphis, Tennessee in 1984 for ‘staggering drunk’ down Beale Street.

U2 started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1987 with the cut "With Or Without You," the group's first US #1 hit.

The Eagles’ Hell Freezes Over Tour ended in 1995. It’s seen by over 2 million fans and earns $135 million. Not bad for guys who said they never play together again.

In 1998, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards fell while reaching for a book of nude art in his Connecticut home. The fall broke his ribs, causing the Stones to postpone many dates on their Bridges To Babylon tour.

The Britney Spears album "Oops!..I Did It Again" was released in 2000.

The world breathed easier in 2000 when Prince announces that he will resume using his name (Prince) rather than a symbol to identify himself. The use of the symbol was his response to all sorts of corporate dealings that he had a problem with (to put it mildly). Now that the contracts have expired he’s back to being Prince again.

Usher was at #1 on the US singles chart in 2004 with "Burn," his second US #1 single of the year.

In 2006, Red Hot Chili Peppers' ninth album, 'Stadium Arcadium,' sells 442,000 copies in its first week of release to earn the group its first #1 on the Billboard 200 monitor. The album tops the charts in 16 other countries as well.

Also in 2006, Paul McCartney and his second wife, Heather Mills McCartney announce they’re separating, confirming a spate of rumors. "Both of us still care about each other very much," the couple claim in a joint statement. "But [we] have found it increasingly difficult to maintain a normal relationship with constant intrusion into our private lives." The couple married in ’02 and had a daughter, Beatrice Milly, the following year.

Money for injuries. In 2006, Mark Knopfler files suit against the female motorist who knocked him off his motorcycle in London some three years earlier. The former Dire Straits frontman broke his collarbone, his shoulder and seven ribs in the accident. He also had to cancel a scheduled European tour while he recovered. The woman was convicted of careless driving and later deported to Ecuador. Knopfler seeks approximately $566,000 in damages. 2006

Rock Stars' Cars & Guitars 2 exhibit opened in Dearborn, MI in 2009. On display are Pete Townshend's ‘56 Lincoln and a smashed Rickenbacker guitar sculpture; costumes and guitars from KISS, including Gene Simmons' "Axe" bass guitar and Paul Stanley's "Star" guitar; Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason's Lola/Cosworth T297 race car; a ‘68 Ford Mustang Fastback, "Bullitt," driven by Sheryl Crow for her music video, "Steve McQueen; " ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons' 1932 Ford Coupe, "Eliminator;" and a ‘53 Buick Skylark owned by Metallica's James Hetfield.

Bob Dylan went to #1 on the US album chart in 2009 with ‘Together Through Life’, his 33rd studio album.

Music News & Notes

'Twilight Eclipse' Track Listing & Album Cover Revealed

Posted on May 12th 2010 5:37PM by Matthew Wilkening1 CommentsThe cover art and track listing for the soundtrack to 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,' the third in the extremely popular series of movies based on the vampire novels by Stephenie Meyers, was revealed on Wednesday, May 12th. The album will feature new songs from Dead Weather, Vampire Weekend, Metric, The Bravery and many more.

The soundtrack will be available on June 8th.








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Limp Bizkit's Cover Art For New LP Gold Cobra

As time closes in on the release date for Limp Bizkit's first album in 7 years, the band revealed the cover art for "Gold Cobra" out summer 2010, which will also be the first album to feature the original line up since 2000's "Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water."

The best thing I've heard from any member of the band, speaking about the release was Wes Borland's statement in a previous interview with Guitar Edge:

"I think that everyone who hated Limp Bizkit before will continue to hate Limp Bizkit. It's not like we, all of a sudden, grew up and started making smarter music. It's definitely a fun, party kind of vibe. It's a little bit like the old stuff, but with a little bit of maybe a Daft Punk vibe thrown in on some of it. There's big, huge riffs and hopefully catchy lyrics."









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Judy Collins Reissues

Collectors' Choice Music has recently announced that they will be reissuing nine albums from Judy Collins on July 27. Along with being remastered, the albums will have new liner notes by Ritchie Unterberger which include interviews with Collins.

The nine albums are:

•Fifth Album (1965)
•In My Life (1966)
•Whales & Nightingales (1970)
•True Stories & Other Dreams (1973)
•Bread & Roses (1976)
•Running for My Life (1980)
•Times of Our Lives (1982)
•Home Again (1984)
•Christmas at the Biltmore (1997)

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Beatles Press Conference Tape Up for Auction

The 1966 press conference where John Lennon is asked about his declaration of the Beatles being more popular than Jesus has been found on reel-to-reel tape and is being auctioned by Bonhams & Butterfields. The 14-minute tape also includes discussions on Viet Nam, the generation gap and how long the Beatles expect to be together. On the last subject, John Lennon replies "We're obviously not gonna go around holding hands forever." Paul McCartney adds "it would be a bit, you know, embarrassing at 35."

The tape is expected to bring upwards of $20,000.

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Scissor Sisters To Release New Album in June

Scissor Sisters will release their third album, 'Night Work,' in the U.S. on June 29th on Downtown Records.

The band, which has sold over seven million albums worldwide, recorded the album in London, the Bahamas and New York City, working for the first time with an outside producer, Stuart Price (The Killers, Madonna).

Scissor Sisters will play second to headline at the Glastonbury Festival on June 26th and will headline the iTunes Festival at The Roundhouse in London on July 1st. See below for a detailed U.K. itinerary. U.S. tour dates will be announced shortly.

From the album cover - a spandex-covered derriere shot by Robert Mapplethorpe - to its contents, Night Work pays homage to the club scene of the 1970's and 80's.

Additional images by the iconic New York photographer, who died in 1989, will be used as covers for each of Night Work's singles. Fans can get a sneak preview of the euphoric "Fire With Fire," the album's lead single at http://www.scissorsisters.com/

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Cassette tapes make a comeback

AUSTIN, Texas — On the second day of this year’s South by Southwest Music Conference and Festival, Philadelphia-based Free Energy, like other buzzed-about acts, played the Levi’s Fader Fort, a weeklong party that has become one of the most popular events for music fans who don’t bother with a wristband.

The group, whose music has drawn comparisons to a host of classic rock bands from the 1970s, released its debut album digitally in the beginning of March. Its members came to Austin equipped with marketing materials meant to help get their music heard, and they handed out what some might consider a curious artifact — cassette tapes.

“The only people who listen to CDs now are old people and people who sold their vinyl collection and bought CDs and now are stuck with them,” lead singer Nick Shuminsky said during the festival. “Most bands that tour have (expletive) vans that still have tape players, and the idea is that, at the very least, our friends in bands can listen to our record while they’re touring.”

Read the rest here: http://www.bismarcktribune.com/lifestyles/weekend/article_1417d0e6-5e38-11df-9b94-001cc4c03286.html

This Date In Music History - May 14

Birthdays:

Jack Bruce - Graham Bond Organization, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Manfred Mann, Cream (1943)

Gene Cornish - Young Rascals (1946)

Al Ciner - American Breed, Three Dog Night (1947)

David Byrne - Talking Heads (1952)

Steve Hogarth - Marillion (1959)

C.C. Deville - Poison (1962)

Ian Astbury - Southern Death Cult, The Cult, joined The Doors in 2002 (1962)

Fabrice Morvan - Milli Vanilli (1963)

Mike Inez - Alice In Chains (1966)

Danny Wood - New Kids On The Block (1971)

Freaky Tah - Lost Boyz (1971)

Natalie Appleton - All Saints (1973)

Shanice (1973)


They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1936, Bobby Darin, (1959 US & UK No.1 single "Mack The Knife," plus 20 other US Top 40 hits). He died on December 20, 1973.

In 1976, 33 year-old Keith Relf, former lead singer for The Yardbirds, was electrocuted while tuning a guitar which was not properly earthed. The accident happened in his West London home where he was found by his eight year old son, still holding the plugged-in electric guitar.

Born today in 1946, Lek LecKenby, guitar, Herman's Hermits. He died on 4th June 1994.

Frank Sinatra died of a heart attack in 1998.



Born on this day in 1953, John Rutsey, drummer and founding member of Rush. Died May 11, 2008.


History:

Bo Diddley’s “Bo Diddley” backed with “I’m A Man” landed on the R&B charts in 1955. Both songs were later covered in the '60s by British groups.

In 1956, Buddy Holly's optometrist gives him contact lenses for his 20/800 eyesight, but he can't get used to them, so the trademark glasses stayed.

Elvis Presley was rushed to a Los Angles hospital in 1957 after swallowing a porcelain cap from one of his front teeth, which then lodged its-self in one of his lungs.

In 1960, The Silver Beats (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stu Sutcliffe, and Tommy Moore) performed at Lathom Hall, Seaforth, Liverpool. They played a few songs during the "interval" to audition for promoter Brian Kelly. Also appearing are Cliff Roberts & the Rockers, The Deltones, and Kingsize Taylor & the Dominoes. This is the only occasion on which the group uses the name "Silver Beats", quickly changing it back to "Silver Beetles".

Jan & Dean began recording "Little Old Lady (From Pasadena)" in 1964.

The Rascals recorded "People Got To Be Free" in 1968.



In 1968, Paul McCartney and John Lennon appeared on NBC-TV's "Tonight Show" (with guest-host Joe Garagiola).

Dennis Yost and Wally Eaton of the Classics IV were seriously injured in a car crash near Atlanta in 1969. (Wally never again tours with the group)

Leo Sayer went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1977 with the Albert Hammond and Carole Bayer Sager song "When I Need You."

Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart in 1988 with "Anything For You."

Also in 1988 - Atlantic Records celebrated its 40th anniversary with a televised cable show. Atlantic Records celebrates its 40th anniversary at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Yes, Genesis, Foreigner and Crosby, Stills & Nash, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Wilson Pickett and Ben E. King performed. A re-united Led Zeppelin hits the stage with Jason Bonham filling in for his late father John. Zeppelin plays “Stairway To Heaven” and “Whole Lotta Love.”

The album 'Revenge' was released by KISS in 1992. The album featured a new drummer, Eric Singer.

During an auction at Christies in London in 1993, the acoustic guitar that Elvis Presley used to make his first recordings in 1954, "That's All Right Mama" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky" sold for $152,000. And four 'Super Hero', Costumes worn by the group Kiss sold for $35,385.

In 2004, Steven Tyler fulfilled a terminally ill female fan's wish when he gives her a kiss after Aerosmith`s concert in Winnipeg, Canada.

As if he didn't already have enough trouble, in 2004, Phil Spector was arrested after getting into a scuffle with his chauffeur at his California mansion. The 64 year old record producer was taken into custody and later released after a court date was set.

In 2005, a judge in Springfield, Massachusetts, ordered rapper 50 Cent to stay clean of drugs and take an anger management course to avoid spending time in jail. The rapper appeared in court charged with assaulting three women at a concert in 2004 after leaping into the crowd.

In 2007, Capitol/EMI announced that Paul McCartney's post-Beatles catalog will be sold digitally. "For the very first time, McCartney and Wings albums will be made available across all digital platforms," reads the EMI/Capitol statement.

Retro Ron's spreads word of vinyl revival

By Jacob Bohrod
Special to The Free Press

MANKATO — Where North Broad Street and Madison Avenue collide, a building sits frozen in time — a time before laptops and hybrid cars, plasma TVs and high-definition.

Retro Ron’s brings to mind childhood memories for some. For those who can barely remember life without Twitter, it provides a much-needed history lesson.

Operated by Mankato’s Ron Nord, Retro Ron’s is a vintage music store that prides itself on transporting customers back to the heyday of music and American culture with seemingly endless amounts of vinyl records, cassettes and even 8-tracks.

“Buy, sell, trade — whatever works,” Nord said.

After opening shop Feb. 2, Nord has been diligently spreading the word about the revival of vinyl. Dealing in parts, pieces, players, needles and all things vinyl, Nord’s business reflects a return to vintage music and the means to play it. The unfortunate bit, and what he can’t stress enough, is that unlike digital music, records easily succumb to wear-and-tear, crippling the value of the majority of albums he sees.

“It’s like anything else in the antiques and collectibles market: condition is the utmost importance,” he said. “(There are) very, very few collectible records.”

Nord said a record’s worth is decided by condition, artist and number produced, and in that order. The varying degree with which people treat their albums is a shame, he said, but it does result in the 50-cent and $1 bins that line Retro Ron’s.

“One scratch will drop a $100 record down to $2,” said Stafford Taillon, a personal contractor and Minnesota State University student who retools record players and the like from a small work station in the back of the store.

Nord reiterated: “Ninety-five percent of records are worth 50 cents to $3; that’s their resale value. We have to pay wholesale.”

For collectors, finding the diamond in the rough is what makes collecting so interesting, so addicting, and Nord would be the first to agree. Retro Ron’s is out to promote the fun in discovering old things in a new way, not to give the customer a bad deal, he said.

Nord said in a previous shop he operated, just after Michael Jackson died last summer, a few fans wondered how much Nord would “soak ’em” for a vinyl copy of “Thriller” or “Bad.” They’re $3 each, he told them.

Nord said he requests every entering patron’s taste in music so he knows what to play while he/she browses the store. A listening station, “the chair of sound” as Nord calls it, allows customers to try out albums before purchasing them as well.

A self-proclaimed “born promoter,” Nord promises to call on the connections he has made over years of dabbling in the music industry to play both announced and unannounced sets in the store. This, on top of plans to adorn the tiny interior with black lights, tube lights, lava lamps and beaded doorways, will surely redefine (or, perhaps, re-redefine) music fans’ ideas of a shopping experience, he said.

In a way, Retro Ron’s is Nord’s way of complementing and putting on display what he feels is a city rife with musical talent and musical history.

“Oh, it’s a hotbed for music,” he said. “There are so many good bands and music around.”

Of course, ask the business owner, disc jokey and “singing auctioneer” yourself, and he might give you a different answer, and few stories to go along with it.

“This is so fun because every day is totally different.”

Retro Ron’s is open noon to

6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The store also has an eBay online store at stores.ebay.com/retro-rons-record-revue.


SOURCE: http://mankatofreepress.com
The Free Press, Mankato, MN 418 South Second Street Mankato, MN 56001

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 10, 2010


DEAR JERRY: “Louie Louie” has been recorded by everyone and their brother, and is regularly played at sporting events. But how does it rank among the all-time most recorded songs?


Richard Berry did the original, but the Kingsmen are the ones most associated with the song. Did their hit come before or after the one by Paul Revere and the Raiders? Both were popular here in Portland.


Which do you think is the strangest version? For me, it's probably the Troggs, and the way they borrow heavily from their hit, “With a Girl Like You.”
—Royce Weber, McMinnville, Ore.


DEAR ROYCE: For non-seasonal recordings, the majority of the lists ranking most-recorded songs have Richard Berry's “Louie Louie” second only to Paul McCartney's “Yesterday.” Over 1,000 recordings exist of “Louie Louie,” with at least 1,600 versions made of “Yesterday.”

My insertion of the non-seasonal caveat allows for how ever many thousands of recordings exist of Irving Berlin's “White Christmas.” Recent estimations place the number of different recordings of this holiday classic at around 10,000! (Please don't ask me to list them.)

The Kingsmen and Paul Revere and the Raiders both recorded “Louie Louie” during the same week, April 1963, at the same Portland studio, Bob Lindahl's Northwest Recorders. The Kingsmen are from Portland, the Raiders hail from Boise, Idaho.

Some evidence points to the Raiders' “Louie Louie” session being April 11, 1963, with the Kingsmen coming in two days later to lay down their version.

This conjecture, however, is disputed by some who say the Kingsmen first made a demo of the song, which the Raiders heard, liked, and quickly waxed.

Regardless, neither of these groups were first in the northwest to revive Richard Berry's tune.

That honor goes to Tacoma's Bill Engelhart, who, as Little Bill and the Bluenotes, released it in 1961 (Topaz 1305).

Then along came Rockin' Robin Roberts with his single (Etiquette 1) in 1962. This brought Roberts to the attention of the Wailers, one of the top northwest acts at the time, and soon Robin began wailin' as a Wailer.

Before November 9, 1963, the week the Raiders and Kingsmen both debuted in the Top 100, no recording of “Louie Louie” ever appeared on any of the Billboard or Cash Box charts.

Nationally, the Kingsmen clearly dominated; however, as you recall, Portland did not ignore the Raiders. Both versions were hits in the Rose City, as well as Boise, of course.

Regarding whose is the strangest “Louie Louie,” I vote for Julie London. Originally one of the cuts on her 1969 LP, “Yummy Yummy Yummy” (Liberty LST-7609), Julie's sultry cabaret vocal with a jazzy, piccolo-led ensemble make this track seem like it came from a distant galaxy.

Then again, it is somewhat at home in a mix that also includes London taking on Manfred Mann (“Quinn the Eskimo”); Fifth Dimension (“Stoned Soul Picnic”); Jose Feliciano (“Light My Fire”); and perhaps most unexpected of all, the title track, “Yummy Yummy Yummy,” a bubble gum hit for the Ohio Express.

Being strange is not necessarily being bad. In fact, I rather enjoy Julie London's passionate handling of this Louie fellow.


IZ ZAT SO? There is one quirky sidebar to the “Louie Louie” story. When the Kingsmen record reached No. 2 (December 14, 1963), the Singing Nun was enjoying her second consecutive week at No. 1 with “Dominique.” It's hard to imagine the nation's top two tunes more widely divergent.

Stalled at No. 2 for two weeks under the French language “Dominique,” the Kingsmen then got bumped down to No. 3 the following week (December 28, 1963), giving ground to Bobby Vinton's “There I've Said It Again,” while “Dominique” remained on top.

Came the new year and “Louie Louie” surged again to No. 2, but would remain locked right there for the entire month of January. For those four weeks, the bridesmaid Kingsmen were topped by Vinton's “There I've Said It Again.”

On February 1st, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” zoomed to No. 1 — a position the Beatles would occupy for 20 of the next 48 weeks.

Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column.

Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368

E-mail: jpo@olympus.net

Visit his Web site: www.jerryosborne.com

All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.

Copyright 2010 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission