The poster that changed Orange County

MORNING READ: John Van Hamersveld wasn't searching for an endless summer, but maybe he found it

By TOM BERG

The Orange County Register

FIRST OF TWO PARTS


Back then, no one knew.

No one even suspected how huge this would be.

So in November, 1963, they made a little deal. In a Dana Point cafe. And it changed the face of Orange County.

One of the young men was a local filmmaker's assistant; the other an art student.

Can you make us a poster?

Sure.

The price was $150. Good money for a struggling student.

So John Van Hamersveld agreed to make a little poster for a little movie called "The Endless Summer."

"It was a, 'Hey-could-you-do-this?' thing," says Van Hamersveld, 67, of Santa Monica. "I had designed his business card and he liked it,"

Van Hamersveld had seen other posters around Dana Point for other movies made by Bruce Brown. They were low-budget surf movies; made with friends; and shown in high school gyms. No big deal.

That winter Van Hamersveld made his poster. And forgot about it. Until two years later when his classmates at Chouinard Art Institute in L.A. huddled around him:

Did you see it?


To read the rest of this intriguing article go to:

The poster that changed Orange County

Cover Art Gone Wrong

Ok, I know all about freedom of speech and artistic freedom, but where does it end? To use an image of a slain police officer as an album cover not only show a gutless disregard for human life, but a blatant disregard for the family and friends of the deceased officer.

I will not name the band, nor would I post the image, I feel that strongly about it. Sure, I have posted some images that some would find obscene; some naked images, some devil-type figures, and cartoon creatures- all part of album cover art. But this crosses a line, morally, spiritually and humanly; this isn't "art," it is an attempt of sensationalism that this group thinks will help sell their music.

Read the opinion of the newspaper as they try to justify their publishing of the photo. Then read the comments from their readers; there is much to be debated about this scenario. How could a record company allow this? How do these idiots think that this is appropriate? This in the name of art? You can count me as one of the people who thinks that this is unbelievable and just plain wrong; no matter what side you take.

Opinion

STORY
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/275938

Band's cover art shows shocking lack of sensitivity

Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.15.2009

A Tucson punk-rock band has plumbed the depths of crassness and insensitivity by using the photo of a dying police officer as its album cover.

The actions of the band — which will not be named here as to not afford it further publicity — are repulsive and were rightly condemned this week by local police.

The Star's Alexis Huicochea reported Wednesday that the band, without permission, used an Arizona Daily Star photo from last year that showed Officer Erik Hite lying on the ground mortally wounded as two fellow officers rendered aid.

The band's lead singer told Huicochea that the album cover was an attempt at "dark humor."

We see nothing funny about the death of a police officer, and neither does the police force.

"What part of an officer giving his life is humorous?" Capt. Clayton Kidd, a Tucson police chief of staff, told Huicochea. "I ask for the community's support in recognizing this as an absolute disgrace to Officer Hite, who gave his life defending our community."

The band is probably relishing the attention.

It's a time-honored tradition for musical groups to do something controversial and anti-establishment to set themselves apart from the crowd and get rebellious peers interested in their music.

However, that doesn't make the band's actions any less callous and despicable.

The Star was roundly criticized by police and the community for publishing the photo in the first place.

The difference between the Star's use of the photo and the band's is that the paper used it to inform the public and to help tell the story of a major news event. The Star followed the story all the way — from the shooting to Hite's touching and memorable funeral services.

The band that will not be named is using the photo to promote its music and make money.

The band goes on to pay homage to "cop killers" on its album, mentioning John Montenegro Cruz, who killed Tucson Officer Patrick Hardesty in 2003, and David Delich, who is accused of killing Hite, Huicochea reported.

The band's actions are a violation of federal copyright law and MySpace has removed the image.

The band's members are not immature teenagers, but are grown men who should have the developed the sense to know right from wrong.

The band's singer says he does not apologize to anyone the group may have offended.

We can only hope band members somehow find their moral compass, apologize and stop using the photo. They're a punk-rock band, but they don't have to be punks.


71 Comments on this story

OPINIONS http://regulus2.azstarnet.com/comments/index.php?id=275938

Classic Rock Videos

Born On The Bayou - Creedence Clearwater Revival

Rock & Roll Tidbits

The bass drum head with the Beatles logo that Ringo Starr used during the band's first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show was bought by a memorabilia collector in the mid-1990s for around $50,000. By 2006, it's estimated value had risen to half-a-million dollars.

Jethro Tull's 1968 debut single, "Sunshine Day" was erroneously credited to Jethro Toe.

When Roberta Flack was awarded a gold record for her 1973, number one hit, "Killing Me Softly With His Song", she wanted to listen to her song etched in gold. She removed the disc from its frame and placed it on a turntable, only to hear "Come Softly to Me" by The Fleetwoods.

The studio musicians who recorded the music for many "bubblegum" hits credited to The 1910 Fruitgum Company, The Ohio Express and many others, were actually former members of The Shadows of Knight, who had a hit of their own with "Gloria".

In February and March, 1964, The Beatles sold 60% of all the records sold in the U.S.

The first recording that Ray Charles made was called "Confession Blues", but at the time of the session, the American Federation Of Musicians was on strike. The violation cost Ray $600 and left him penniless.

For their first two appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Beatles were paid just $3500 per show. The expenses alone to bring them to America totaled over $50,000, which was paid for by their manager, Brian Epstein.

When record executives at RCA gave a song called "Rock and Roll Waltz" to Kay Starr, she thought they must have been kidding, as rock and roll was still frowned upon by serious musicians. After many arguments, RCA still insisted that she record the song. Their hunch proved to be a good one as the record went to number 1 in the US in February, 1956.

Carl Perkins, the rockabilly pioneer who wrote Elvis Presley's hit, "Blue Suede Shoes", was a sharecropper's son who learned to play music on a guitar fashioned from a cigar box and broomstick.

In the late 70’s, while at a stadium show in Toronto, the members of Aerosmith actually boarded limousines to travel the one hundred yards from their dressing rooms to the stage.

Beach Boy Carl Wilson got so excited the first time one of their songs was played on the radio-that he threw up when he heard the song.

The Odeon label was created in Germany in 1904 by the International Talking Machine Company. Odeon pioneered something they called the "album" in 1909 when it released the "Nutcracker Suite" by Tchaikovsky on four double-sided discs in a specially designed package.

Dion DiMucci of Dion and The Belmonts was a part of 1959's Winter Dance Party with Buddy Holly. When Buddy suggested that Dion fly with him after their show at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, on February 2nd, Dion declined because he didn't want to spend the extra money. It was a decision that saved his life.

Buddy Holly and The Crickets recorded their hit "Maybe Baby" in the officer's club at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma.

The publishing rights to most of Buddy Holly's songs are owned by Paul McCartney.

The first time that Don McLean performed "American Pie" on stage, it didn't get a very good response from the audience. McLean would later remark that "People didn't know what the hell I was singing about."

Jimmy Hart, one of the original members of The Gentrys, who scored a US number 4 hit with "Keep On Dancin" in 1965, went on to become a popular wrestling character in the WWF, calling himself the "Mouth of the South".

The popular 1970s group, Super Tramp, turned down a five million dollar offer from the Greyhound corporation to use their song "Take The Long Way Home" in bus commercials.

Including Ringo, there have been at least five drummers for The Beatles. Norman Chapman (for the Silver Beatles), Tommy Moore, Pete Best and Jimmy Nichol.

Worst Album Covers Of 2008

Yesterday we looked at Gigwise.com's list of their best album covers for 2008. Today we explore what made their list for the worst album covers for 2008 (only the top 5, to see the rest of this amazing list go to): Gigwise-worst Covers 2008


5. The Superimposers: 'Harpsichord Treacle' – Looking like it was knocked up on Paintshop on the Amiga twenty years ago by a blind man with no hands or limbs, there are absolutely no redeeming features about this record cover.






4. The Dodos: 'Visiter' – Taking minimalism to the extreme, San Francisco's The Dodos adorned their third studio album with a yellow blob and the word 'visitor' scribbled on in crayon. A truly terrible album cover.






3. Manda Rin: 'My DNA' – The former Bis singer has enjoyed limited success since the demise of her band a few years back. They say you can't judge a book by its cover, but would you buy this album after seeing this wretched front cover?






2. LL Cool J: 'Exit 13' – Tacky as hell, preposterous and overblown, the image of a giant microphone smashing into a highway is laughably bad. Widely panned by the critics, the artwork fits in perfectly with the music, then.






1. Guns N Roses: 'Chinese Democracy' – A rusty, battered old bike with a massive wicker basket on a run-down street, it's like something out of a Hovis advert! (a TV commercial set it the nineteenth century northern England for those American readers out there). The sleeve had people guffawing when it was first unveiled earlier this year and it still raises a laugh now.

Music News & Notes

Details of Jon Snodgrass's new album revealed

By Dave Herrera


Jon Snodgrass, one-half of the almighty Drag the River, is preparing to release his debut solo effort. The album, Visitor's Band, which is slated for release on Tuesday, February 4, on Suburban Home Records, features a slew of guests including, Two Cow Garage, Chad Rex, Joey Erg, Chris Pierce and Eric Powers, among others. According to label owner Virgil Dickerson, the tracks melds the "hard-edged rock you expect from Armchair Martian," Snodgrass's previous band, with "the more rootsy sounds you might expect to hear with Drag the River."

Last week, we debuted a track from the record called "Remember My Name" on Mile Hi-Fidelity and have had the chance to listen to the rest of the disc. Needless to say, Dickerson's assessment is pretty spot on.

Visitor's Band will be available on disc and vinyl -- 300 copies on black vinyl and 700 on clear vinyl -- and Dickerson reports that he's currently trying to get Snodgrass to co-sign a batch of new merch, in particular, a shirt with his face above the slogan, "What would Jon Do?" So far he's not having much luck. Ditto a "What would Jon drink" pint glass.

And just in case you couldn't get enough Drag in your diet, the band is also preparing to issue a new release with a title that is bound to continue to confound fans regarding the band's status. Broke up? Not broke up? That disc, fittingly titled Bad at Breaking Up, will reportedly contain tracks that were previously only available on 7-inch vinyl, B-sides and tunes from the group's split with the Dents.

If all that sounds good to you, head over to the Suburban Home website to listen to tracks from Jon's new record and to pre-order both releases. If you're one of the first 1,000 folks to purchase the Drag disc, you'll get your hands on a Drag the River guitar pick. In the meantime, here's the full tracklisting for Visitor's Band.

Track Listing:
1. Brave With Strangers
2. Thru The Fan
3. Remember My Name
4. Song For Jake Nichols To Sing
5. Finally
6. Fast In Last
7. Long Way Found
8. Fast One Sloe
9. Not That Rad
10. Murderfield
11. Visitor's Band

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Jamey Johnson Releasing Vinyl LP, Appearing on Tonight Show

Jamey Johnson will release a vinyl LP version of his Mercury album, That Lonesome Song on Jan. 27 and has scheduled a Feb. 5 appearance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. Johnson has received three nominations at the Grammy Awards show taking place Feb. 8 in Los Angeles. That Lonesome Song is up for best country album, and one of the tracks, "In Color," is nominated for best male country vocal performance and best country song. Johnson co-wrote the song with Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto. Johnson says, "The critical acclaim for the album and the Grammy nominations are so cool, but what has been the most overwhelming thing for me so far is when we're playing live and the crowd sings every word of 'In Color' back to us. As a songwriter, I can't even explain what that feels like."

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News - Minus the Bear Release "Acoustics" on Vinyl

"Minus the Bear is excited to announce the release of "Acoustics," an exclusive seven-track EP, available from Suicide Squeeze in a limited edition run. "Acoustics," couples newly recorded acoustic versions of fan favorites from the Seattle quintet's prolific career with a new track, entitled, "Guns & Ammo." Originally released as a tour-only CD - during the band's 2008 headlining tour - this is the first time "Acoustics" will be available on vinyl, in stores, anywhere. Limited to 5000 copies pressed to baby-blue/crème wax. Order your copy from Virgil over at www.vinylcollective.com

Track Listing for Acoustics EP: Release Date Feb 17
Guns & Ammo
We Are Not a Football Team
Burying Luck
Knights
Pachuca Sunrise
Throwin’ Shapes
Ice Monster

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Get Up Kids Release

Doghouse Records has announced plans to reissue the Get Up Kids favorite, Something To Write Home About, on vinyl next month. The CD was released ten years ago, on Vagrant Records. Doghouse is promising that only 2000 copies will be made available and that they will be pressed on Opaque Purple vinyl. The record is due out February 17, 2009. The disc is the second in a series of vinyl reissues that Doghouse has begun. The label released 1997's Four Minute Mile in December.

This Date In Music History-January 16

Birthdays:

Jim Stafford turns 65.

Nick Valensi- The Strokes (1981)

Maxine Jones- En Vogue (1965)

Ronnie Milsap (1946)

Bob Bogle- The Ventures (1937)

Barbara Lynn is 67.

Pop diva Sade (1959)


They Are Missed:

David Seville (creator of the Chipmunks) died of a heart attack in 1972.

James "Pookie" Hudson, lead singer of the Spaniels, died of cancer in 2007.

Clara Ward died in 1973. With the Ward Singers, she helped gospel cross over from churches to concert halls, and was cited as an inspiration by Aretha Franklin.

Coasters singer Will Jones died in 2000 (age 71).


History:

Del Shannon recorded his first single, "Runaway" in 1967 which would top the US charts by April.

Wayne Newton performed his 25,000th Las Vegas show in 1996.

Jamaican authorities fired upon on Jimmy Buffett's seaplane in 1996, after mistaking it for a drug trafficker's plane. U2 singer Bono was with Buffett, but neither was hurt.

In 1987, the Beastie Boys became the first act censored on "American Bandstand."

In 2005, Elvis Presley's rereleased hit "One Night" knocked his "Jailhouse Rock" off the top of the U.K. singles chart, becoming the 1000th #1 since the chart was inaugurated.

In 1980, Paul McCartney was thrown into a Tokyo jail after he's discovered in possession of a half pound of marijuana at Narita International Airport. He was incarcerated for ten days.

Peter Frampton's "Frampton Comes Alive!" was released in 1976. The album took just five weeks to go Gold and turned Platinum in less than three months. It sold over 19 million copies in its first year.

In 1986, ABBA performed together for the last time at a show honoring their manager Stig Anderson on the Swedish TV show This Is Your Life.

In 1965, the Supremes' "Come See About Me" knocked the Beatles' "I Feel Fine" off the #1 spot in the US.

In 1970, Scotland Yard confiscated eight John Lennon lithographs from a London art gallery for being obscene.

Little Richard recorded "Lucille" in 1957.

The Cavern Club opened in Liverpool in 1957. It became the home of many Liverpool bands including The Beatles who appeared at the club 292 times.

The Beatles played two shows at the Olympia Theatre, Paris, France in 1964, the first of an 18-night engagement. This first show was attended mostly by Paris' "top society" members (all dressed in formal evening attire). The French press had little good to say about The Beatles in the next day's papers, but The Beatles didn't care, because they'd just received news that their single ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ had hit #1 in the US, selling 10,000 copies an hour in New York City alone.

Bruce Springsteen appeared at Villanova University in 1973, appearing to an audience of 25 people.

George Michael went to #1 on the US album charts with his debut solo album 'Faith' in 1988. It went on to sell over 8 million copies.

Tina Turner gave herself a place in the record books in 1988 when she performed in front of 182,000 people in Rio De Janeiro. It was the largest audience ever for a single artist.

In 1988, 24 years after The Beatles first topped the chart, George Harrison went to #1 on the US singles chart with 'Got My Mind Set On You'.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Announces 2009 Inductees

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have announced their newest inductees. Making the hall are:


Metallica - The group brought metal back down to earth and enhanced the thrash genre with the use of high speed and volume while playing what ammounted to much more intricate compositions than other groups of the time. They crossed a niche genre to the mainstream and became a major recording act, selling over 60 million albums. Twenty five years after their debut, Death Magnetic recently topped the charts and has sold over on million copies in its first four months.

Run-D.M.C. - Only the second rap group to be inducted after Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five who went in in 2006. It was their crossover with Aerosmith on Walk This Way that helped move rap into the mainstream. They were also the first rap group to assemble fully realized albums with their 1986 entry Raising Hell being the first rap record to go platinum. On a sad note, Joseph "Run" Simmons and Daryl "DMC" McDaniels will be accepting the award without their partner Jam Master Jay who was murdered in 2oo2.

Jeff Beck - This is Beck's second trip into the hall, after being inducted in 1992 with the Yardbirds . Here, he is being honored for his solo work and as one of the most respected guitarists of the rock era able to play everything from straight rock to jazz.

Little Anthony and the Imperials - The group had one of the longest runs of any Doo Wop group, managing to segue from Tears on My Pillow in the 50's to the smoother R&B/pop sound of Goin' Out Of My Head in the mid-60's. Sammy Strain , who is being inducted with the Imperials, is also on his second time around. He was also inducted back in 2005 with the O'Jays.

Bobby Womack - Volumes could be written about Womack's career and his influence over the world of R&B, from his early days working with Sam Cooke to his songwriting (It's All Over Now, I'm a Midnight Mover, Breezin', That's the Way I Feel About Cha ), guitar playing (for Aretha Franklin, Ron Wood & Others) and performing. His solo hits included a remake of Lookin' for a Love (originally recorded by his group the Valentinos 12-years earlier), Woman's Gotta Have It and If You Think You're Lonely Now .

Wanda Jackson (Early Influence) - Jackson was one of the four nominees but did not receive enough votes for induction, so the separate committee on early influences put her through. She emerged during the 50's as a force in both Rockabilly and Country music. Her country hits included In the Middle of a Heartache and Right or Wrong while she charted pop with the same songs plus the rocking Let's Have a Party. She continues touring today.

Dewey Lyndon "Spooner" Oldham (Sideman) - Organist from Muscle Shoals who did much of his recording at FAME studios. He played on Percy Sledge 's When a Man Loves a Woman , Wilson Pickett 's Mustang Sally and Aretha Franklin's I Never Loved a Man . He was also a songwriter, pening Cry Like a Baby (Box Tops ), I'm Your Puppet (James & Bobby Purify ), Sweet Inspiration (Sweet Inspirations ), It Tears Me Up and Out of Left Field (both Percy Sledge).

Bill Black (Sideman) - Bass player for Elvis Presley from his Sun days until 1958 and, later, as leader of Bill Black's Combo who had R&B and pop hits with Smokie Part 2, White Silver Sands and their own version of Presley's Don't Be Cruel .

D.J. Fontana (Sideman) - Drummer for Elvis Presley from his Lousiana Hayride and Sun days through 1969. Afterwards, he became a studio musician for artists from Johnny Cash to Paul McCartney.

Passed over were the Stooges , who have been nominated seven times, Chic , who were on their fifth and War .

Hall President and CEO Joel Peresman noted that "This year’s class of inductees truly represents what the Hall of Fame is all about. From classic artists that began their careers in the 50’s and 60’s to those that have defined the modern sound of rock and roll. These artists demonstrate the rich diversity of rock and roll itself. We are proud to honor these artists and celebrate their contribution to rock and roll’s place in our culture."

Reactions from the new members:

Lars Ulrick of Metallica - "I'm not going to give a whole schpeel about 'come back in 20 years or something.' I'll fucking take it right now. I'm fucking psyched that anybody still gives a shit about this band."

Daryl "DMC" McDaniels (to Rolling Stone) - "I can't even comprehend this is happening. I want to let the world know that there are others receiving this honor with us. I'm talking about our heroes Afrika Bambaataa, Treacherous Three, the Cold Crush Brothers and DJ Kool Herc."

Bobby Womack - "This is just the greatest, I’m extremely happy. My very first thought was...I wish I could call Sam Cooke and share this moment with him. This is just about as exciting to me as being able to see Barack Obama become the first black president of the United States of America. It proves that, if you’re blessed to be able to wait on what’s important to you, a lot of things will change in life. Being able to work, perform and make people happy is where it’s at. I haven’t been home in almost 30 years, so having this happen in my hometown is really icing on the cake. I’m looking forward to going home."

Anthony Gourdine - "I got to personally thank Paul Schaffer, who really spearheaded this thing, along with Billy Joel, Paul Simon and even Madonna's people from what I hear. I got the call on my birthday. What a great present!"Former guitarist Dave Mustaine was not listed as an inductee with Metallica. He left in 1983 to form Megadeath. The band made the decision based on which members were in the band long enough to be a major influence on their sound.

This year's induction ceremony will be April 4 at Public Hall in Cleveland and will be broadcast on Fuse TV.

SOURCE: http://mog.com/blog_post/content/723/1196054

Classic Rock Videos

Proud Mary - Creedence Clearwater Revival

The Best Album Covers Of 2008!

One of my favorite sites, www.gigwise.com has released their favorite cover art for 2008. Here is the top five, with Gigwise.com's comments. To see the whole list, please go to Gigwise



5. Nas: 'Untitled' – Originally set to be titled 'Nigga' and then 'Nigger', despite eventually being untitled due to the massive public uproar, Nas' 2008 album still packs a punch. Musically it is hard-hitting and thought provoking, while the cover shows a shirtless Nas with flagellation scars forming the shape of the letter N; a direct reference to the racial slur and also how slaves were whipped and tortured.







4. Grails: 'Doomsdayer's Holiday' – Weird as fuck, the shocking image of a semi-naked female with a gargoyle's head riding a pig-like creature is like something out of a drug-induced nightmare. The fact that the Oregon instrumental rockers decided to use it as their album sleeve can only be commended highly.






3. Sebastien Tellier: 'Sexuality' – Gigwise has described this record as a 'sexed-up, throbbing erection of an album', so it seems perfectly natural that the artwork fits. Hilarious, tongue-in-cheek and slightly risqué, Tellier describes this album cover as his own “sexual fantasy”. The work of a clearly warped but brilliant mind!






2. Lil Wayne: 'Tha Carter III' – Nothing short of genius, the hilarious image of a baby Lil Wayne fitted with bling, tattoos and a grey suit is one of the most enduring record covers of the year - if not the decade. Better still, Wayne made a devastating awesome album to match.






1. James: 'Hey Ma' – The unforgettable cover to James' tenth studio album has overshadowed the music itself. A baby choosing between a gun and his toys, it's a pertinent comment on violence in the contemporary world. Despite the artwork being banned from billboard advertising campaigns, the media storm around the cover has secured the band priceless publicity. Best album cover of 2008 by a mile.

Rock & Roll Tidbits

Before assembling AC/DC, Malcolm Young played with the Velvet Underground- not THE Velvet Underground; Young’s band mates were Australians who simply stole the name.

One of Motley Crue’s earliest stage gimmicks was to light their pants on fire. Brings new meaning to the term- ‘liar, liar-pants on fire.’

In 1963, the brother and sister team of Nino Tempo and April Stevens took "Deep Purple" to Billboard's number one position. The same song had topped the charts for Larry McClinton in 1939 and would become a #14 hit for Donny and Marie Osmond in 1976.

1950s crooner Perry Como, who scored many hits including "Round and Round", "Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes" and "Hot Diggity", was the seventh son of a seventh son.

The Righteous Brothers' hit "Unchained Melody" was never intended to be a single. It was recorded as an album cut and later pressed on the "B" side of the 45 "Hung On You". When it was released, DJs flipped the disc over and "Unchained Melody" quickly rose to #4 in the US and #1 in the UK.

Barry Manilow recorded his vocal and piano parts for "Mandy" in just one take.

Elvis Presley was a devoted animal lover. He owned dogs, mules, horses, peacocks, chickens, a turkey and had a silly mynah bird that said, “Elvis! Go to hell!”

We all know that Elvis loved his food. “I like it well-done,” the legendary icon stated. “I ain’t ordering a pet.”

While we are on the subject, it seems that rowdy Allman Brother Dickey Betts was out riding his motorcycle one day and he was hungry. So he stopped his machine, jumped a fence and killed a cow. As he was butchering the animal, a cop passed by and quickly arrested the bloody Brother.

The first known million selling recording was by Ben Selvin and his Orchestra. It was a two sided hit featuring "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" and "Darandella", recorded in 1919.

Guitarist Henry Gross, who hit the US charts in 1976 with "Shannon", was one of the founding members of the rock and roll revival group, Sha Na Na.

For the year 2005, the top earning dead celebrity in the US was Elvis Presley, who still generated $45 million worth of business. John Lennon was third with $22 million.

The Beatles 4th UK #1 single, "Can't Buy Me Love", had advanced sales of over 2.1 million, setting the record for the greatest advanced orders in the UK.

The most expensive guitar in the world is a Fender Stratocaster once owned by Eric Clapton. Nicknamed "Blackie", it sold at auction for $959,500. on June 25th, 2004.

In early 1957, RCA Records released two versions of a song called "Young Love", one by Tab Hunter, the other by Sonny James. Both records caught on and by the first week of March, Hunter's rendition was number one in the US, while James' version was number 4.

When Cher topped the Billboard Hot 100 with "Believe" in March, 1999, she became the first female over the age of 50 to have a chart topping record.

When Elvis was drafted into the US Army in March, 1958, his monthly pay went from $100,000 to $78.

Bobby "Boris" Pickett, who topped the Billboard Pop chart in 1962 with "The Monster Mash", once had his tour bus break down outside of a town called Frankenstein, Missouri.

When asked about their controversial hit song "One Toke Over The Line" during an interview with Brewer and Shipley, they said that "toke" had nothing to do with marijuana, but meant token or ticket. Hence the line about "sittin' downtown in a railway station."

When The Beatles' single "Ticket To Ride" was first issued, the fine print under the title said "From the United Artists Release Eight Arms To Hold You", which was the original name for the film Help!

News & Notes

McCartney hints at reunion with Ringo


SIR PAUL McCartney has revealed that he is desperate to work with Ringo Starr again.

The singer said he would "love to" work with his former Beatles bandmate again in the near future.

Speaking to US TV host Barbara Walters, he said: "We don't rule it out - it would be great.
"He's a great drummer and we're used to each other. Let's hear it for Ringo."

Sir Paul then praised Starr's recent request to fans not to ask him for his autograph anymore.

He said: "Why doesn't he sign his autographs anymore? I think that is so ballsy.
"If he doesn't want to spend his day writing to people, he's allowed."

He then turned to the camera and gushed: "I love you Ringo."

The 66-year-old legend also spoke about John Lennon and how proud he was to have been his friend and bandmate.

He said: "I look back on it now and I am just very proud to have been John's collaborator. I mean we were just kids.

"We just lucked into each other. We were just so easy with each other."

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100,000 Surplus Vinyl Records To Hit The Auction Block!


The University of North Texas College of Music in Denton, Texas is selling 100,000 vinyl LP records from its library collection. The auction is being held online and is open to the public. This unusual auction is expected to generate plenty of interest!

Denton, TX (PRWEB) January 15, 2009 -- The University of North Texas College of Music in Denton, Texas, one of the nation's finest comprehensive music schools, has contracted with Slapsale.Com to sell at online auction 100,000 surplus LP records from its extensive collection.

Labels include Capitol, Decca, Mercury, RCA, Reprise, Jazzology, Seraphim,
Somerset, Angel, and many others representing all musical styles.

The records are being sold in lots of 100, and aren't sorted in any particular manner other than label. After an initial quantity of 10,000 records (100 lots) closes online on January 21, the additional 90,000 records will be offered. There are sure to be some great deals!

There is no cost or obligation to register for the auction. Buyers are responsible for removing their own records, the University will not ship them. Interested persons should visit the website at Slapsale.com for auction terms and condition, inspection dates, and other information.

The auction is open to the public.

http://www.slapsale.com/

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Malefice Reveals New Album, "Dawn Of Reprisal," Cover Art

British metallers, MALEFICE, have revealed the cover art for their forthcoming new album "Dawn Of Reprisal."


"Dawn Of Reprisal" was recorded and mixed by Dan Weller and Justin Hill (ex SikTh) at Fortress Studios London and Timeless Studios London, mastered at 360 Mastering by Dick Beetham.

The band comments on the new album, "'Dawn of Reprisal' is a massive step forward for all of us as a band, and individuals. MALEFICE has matured a lot in a short space of time and one listen to this new record will show you that. We've crafted our sound into what we all missed about metal. Killer riffs, punishing drums, intense vocals and songs you can break your neck to!"

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Depeche Mode To Release New Album In April

Depeche Mode will release their new album on April 20th, it's been announced.

'Sounds Of The Universe' was recorded last year in studios in California and New York.

Speaking about the project in December, frontman Dave Gahan said the album was like “looking outside and a yearning for somehow coming together”.

The frontman added he thought the band had made a “great record”.

'Sounds Of The Universe' is the follow-up to 2005's 'Playing The Angel'.

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Jeff Beck To Play 'Super Gigs' With Eric Clapton

In Japan next month...

Jeff Beck, who will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, has announced two gigs with Eric Clapton.

The pair will perform together at Japan's Saitama Super Arena on February 21st and 22nd.

Beck assumed Clapton's role in The Yardbirds in 1965 when the guitarist left the group.

The two shows in Japan form part of Beck's extensive spring tour of the Far East, which also includes a series of shows in Australia.

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Neil Young Names New Studio Album

It could be out in March...


Neil Young has revealed that his 31st studio album will be called 'Fork In The Road'.

The LP, which will be comprised entirely of new material, is expected to be released in March.

The title track is currently streaming on Young's official website along with a homemade video.

'Fork In The Road' will be Young's first solo album since 2007's 'Chrome Dreams II'.

Young recently revealed that he had finished work on his latest album with Crazy Horse, entitled 'Toast'.

Young said the album was “completely” different to his previous releases with the band and an “amazing listening experience.”

At present, it's not clear when 'Toast' will be released.

TESLA Releases 'Forever More' Collector's Edition Vinyl

TESLA's Jeff Keith, Frank Hannon, Brian Wheat, Troy Luccketta and Dave Rude will be appearing on January 27, 2009 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at R5 Records (home of the original and legendary Tower Records) at 2500 16th Street and Broadway in Sacramento, California to sign autographs and celebrate the release of their latest album, "Forever More", on a limited run of collector vinyl.

The 1,000-piece limited-edition LP includes a full gatefold 12" jacket complete with photos and artwork. 300 of the packages will be made available at the January 27 event where the band will personally autograph each of those first 300.

All fans that purchase either the vinyl or CD version of "Forever More" at the R5 Records event will be eligible to win the original "acetate" (test pressing) of the "Forever More" vinyl LP, a highly collectible item for any music aficionado. The drawing will take place at the in-store at 8:15 p.m. TESLA will also debut its newest video, "Fallin' Apart", during this January 27 event.

The band begins the second leg of their tour the end of January and will continue on the road, both in the States and abroad through the remainder of 2009.

VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs

I love 'lists' as well as the next guy, but to include Jethro Tull's "Aqualung" and omit "Locomotive Breathe" doesn't make sense to me. Ditto with Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" and omitting "Space Truckin'" or even "Burn" or "Highway Star." In the 70's, I loved Montrose ("Rock Candy") and UFO ("Phenomenon," or "Doctor, Doctor"), yet I see no mention of them here. And to have a "Greatest Hard Rock Songs" list with no Humble Pie? And Foreigner "Hot Blooded" and Journey's "Any Way You Want It," are more pop-rock songs than hard rock (to me anyway). Neil Young's classsic "Cinammon Girl" would be a better choice or even "Rockin' in the Free World." And no "LA Woman" from the Doors (or even "Roadhouse Blues")? No "Purple Haze" by Hendrix? But I guess these lists are always subjective, it depends on who is making them and the year they were born and their choice of music. Anybody care to comment on some glaring omissions from the VH1 "Greatest Hard Rock Songs" list?

VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs

100 Sammy Hagar - "I Can't Drive 55"
99 Grand Funk Railroad - "We're An American Band"
98 Buckcherry - "Lit Up"
97 The Edgar Winter Group - "Frankenstein"
96 Kansas - "Carry On Wayward Son"
95 Creed - "Higher"
94 The Darkness - "I Believe In A Thing Called Love"
93 Autograph - "Turn Up The Radio"
92 Night Ranger - "Don't Tell Me You Love Me"
91 Smashing Pumpkins - "Bullet With Butterfly Wings"
90 Jethro Tull - "Aqualung"
89 Andrew W.K. - "Party Hard"
88 Alice In Chains - "Would?"
87 Winger - "Seventeen"
86 Marilyn Manson - "The Beautiful People"
85 Velvet Revolver - "Slither"
84 W.A.S.P. - "I Wanna Be Somebody"
83 Evanescence - "Bring Me To Life"
82 Rainbow - "Since You Been Gone"
81 Black Sabbath - "Heaven And Hell"
80 Journey - "Any Way You Want It"
79 Billy Idol - "Rebel Yell"
78 Bad Company - "Feel Like Making Love"
77 Soundgarden - "Black Hole Sun"
76 Lita Ford - "Kiss Me Deadly"
75 The White Stripes - "Seven Nation Army"
74 The Cult - "Love Removal Machine"
73 Thin Lizzy - "Jailbreak"
72 Pat Benetar - "Heartbreaker"
71 Jane's Addiction - "Mountain Song"
70 Foreigner - "Hot Blooded"
69 Living Colour - "Cult Of Personality"
68 White Zombie - "More Human Than Human"
67 ZZ Top - "Tush"
66 Europe - "The Final Countdown"
65 MC5 - "Kick Out the Jams"
64 Rollins Band - "Liar"
63 Survivor - "Eye Of The Tiger"
62 Dokken - "Breaking The Chains"
61 Ratt - "Round And Round"
60 Skid Row - "18 And Life"
59 Billy Squier - "The Stroke"
58 Stone Temple Pilots - "Interstate Love Song"
57 The Kinks - "You Really Got Me"
56 Warrant - "Cherry Pie"
55 Blue Oyster Cult - "Don't Fear The Reaper"
54 Faith No More - "Epic"
53 Steppenwolf - "Born To Be Wild"
52 The Runaways - "Cherry Bomb"
51 Megadeth - "Peace Sells"
50 Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Give It Away"
49 The Stooges - "Search And Destroy"
48 Korn - "Freak On A Leash"
47 Kid Rock - "Bawitdaba"
46 Anthrax - "Madhouse"
45 Foghat - "Slow Ride"
44 Cream - "Sunshine Of Your Love"
43 Dio - "Holy Diver"
42 The Clash - "Should I Stay Or Should I Go"
41 Quiet Riot - "Cum On Feel The Noize"
40 Poison - "Talk Dirty To Me"
39 Boston - "More Than A Feeling"
38 Queen - "Stone Cold Crazy"
37 The Who - "My Generation"
36 Van Halen - "Hot For Teacher"
33 Alice Cooper - "School's Out"
34 Heart - "Barracuda"
33 Green Day - "Basket Case"
32 Ted Nugent - "Cat Scratch Fever"
31 AC/DC - "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"
30 Pearl Jam - "Even Flow"
29 Joan Jett - "Bad Reputation"
28 Foo Fighters - "Everlong"
27 Whitesnake - "Still Of The Night"
26 Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Free Bird"
25 The Ramones - "Blitzkrieg Bop"
24 Iron Butterfly - "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"
23 Ozzy Osbourne - "Crazy Train"
22 Jimi Hendrix Experience - "Hey Joe"
21 Led Zeppelin - "Kashmir"
20 Bon Jovi - "You Give Love A Bad Name"
19 Rush - "Tom Sawyer"
18 Scorpions - "Rock You Like A Hurricane"
17 Twisted Sister - "I Wanna Rock"
16 Kiss - "Rock And Roll All Nite"
15 Motley Crue - "Dr. Feelgood"
14 Iron Maiden - "Run To The Hills"
13 Def Leppard - "Photograph"
12 Judas Priest - "Breaking The Law"
11 Deep Purple - "Smoke On The Water"
10 Motorhead - "Ace Of Spades"
09 Van Halen - "Runnin With The Devil"
08 Aerosmith - "Walk This Way"
07 Nirvana - "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
06 The Who - "Won't Get Fooled Again"
05 Metallica - "Enter Sandman"
04 Black Sabbath - "Paranoid"
03 Led Zeppelin - "Whole Lotta Love"
02 AC/DC - "Back In Black"
01 Guns N' Roses - "Welcome To The Jungle"

Rock & Roll Tidbits

When The Supremes' Mary Wilson was contacted for an interview by the television show Romance of The Rich and Famous, she moved some of her personal belongings into a freinds' mansion and let on it was hers, instead of revealing her true residence, a tiny, two bedroom bungalow in Studio City, California.

Little Richard's recording career had just gotten off the ground when his father was murdered in the winter of 1952. To support his family, Richard took a job washing dishes at a Greyhound bus station in Macon, Georgia.

Reginald Kenneth Dwight changed his stage name to Elton John, taking his first name from Bluesology saxophonist Elton Dean and his last from bluesman, Long John Baldry.

When Decca Records first released "Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley And His Comets in the Spring of 1954, most people had never heard of Rock And Roll and the company had a hard time describing the song. The label on the single called it a "Novelty Foxtrot."

On December 17th, 1977, David Ackroyd became the first record buyer to receive a Gold Disc when he purchased the one-millionth copy of "Mull Of Kintyre" by Wings.

In December of 1969, Mick Jagger was quoted saying "I don't really like singing very much, I enjoy playing the guitar more than I enjoy singing and I can't play the guitar either."

Ross Bagdasarian (Davis Seville) named The Chipmunks after executives at Liberty records. Alvin was named for Al Bennett, president of the company, Simon was named after Bennett's partner, Si Waronker and Theodore was named for Ted Keep, a recording engineer.

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" was written by Johnny Marks and recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958. Although Decca released it in both that year and again in 1959, it did not catch on until Lee rose to stardom in 1960. That Christmas season, it reached #16 on the Billboard Pop chart and has since become a perennial holiday favourite. The song continues to sell well during the holiday season and rose to #5 on the Christmas chart in 1984.

One of the strangest moments in Pop music history took place on September 11, 1977, when two stars from different generations, David Bowie and Bing Crosby, got together to tape "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Peace On Earth" for Bing's upcoming Christmas TV special. The pair rehearsed for an hour and finished their duet in only three takes, but Bing died a month later having never seen the video.

In October, 2000, George Michael paid over $2 million for the piano that John Lennon used to write "Imagine". It is a simple upright model and not the white piano that appeared on the album cover.

John Lennon often expressed his dislike for Winston Churchill, the former British Prime Minister that he was named after. He felt so strongly that he had his middle name changed from Winston to Ono after he married Yoko.

Andy White, who played drums on The Beatles' track "Love Me Do", which was included on the Beatles Greatest Hits album, did not earn any money in royalties from it. He only received his original session fee of £7 ($14 US), which is not even enough for him to buy his own copy of the album.

Gloucestershire airport in England used to blast Tina Turner songs on its runways to scare birds away.

The much publicized Jerry Lee Lewis pistol-waving episode outside Graceland in 1976 is said to be a misunderstanding. Jerry and Elvis were long time friends and he had been invited to visit. A pistol on the dashboard of Jerry’s car had been given to him earlier that evening as a present and when security guards at the Gracelands gates saw the pistol and asked Jerry if he’d come to shoot Elvis, Jerry just joked: "Sure I have." This led to the arrest and the subsequent press stories.

After Sam Cooke turned down "Travelin' Man", Ricky Nelson recorded the song and had a Billboard chart topping single with it in 1961.