Country and Pop Singer Dan Seals Dies

“I’ve loved to play and sing from the moment I knew what it was,” explained Dan Seals in 1992. Seals, who was England Dan in the soft pop duo of England Dan and John Ford Coley, passed away on March 25, 2009, from complications from cancer. He was 61.

Some may know Dan Seals from his career in country music. But before he scored big in country music, he and John Ford Coley had several Billboard Top 40 hits including: “I’d Really Like To See You Tonight” (#2 1976), “Nights Are Forever Without You” (#10 1976), “It’s Sad To Belong” (#21 1977), “Gone Too Far” (#23 1977), “We’ll Never Have To Say Goodbye Again” (#9 1978) and “Love Is The Answer,” which was written by Todd Rundgren and peaked at #10 in 1979.

However, Dan Seals was more than a pop singer and when the duo broke up in 1980, Seals headed to Nashville because of his love for country music. As a solo artist, Seals won a CMA Award in 1986 for the cut “Bop” and in that same year scored another CMA Award for vocal duo, teaming up with Marie Osmond for the number one hit “Meet Me In Montana.”

He also scored a top 40 hit in 1983 with the song “Everybody’s Dream Girl” and a top ten hit with “God Must Be a Cowboy” in 1984. After that, Seals scored several #1 country hits including: “Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold),” “You Still Move Me,” “Three Time Loser,” “One Friend,” “Big Wheels in the Moonlight,” “Love On Arrival” (all co-written with Bob McDill). He also reached the top of the country charts with “I Will Be There” (by Jennifer Kimball and Tom Snow), “Addicted” by Cheryl Wheeler and “Good Times” by Sam Cooke.

His last hits were in 1990 and subsequent releases fared poorly and he signed on with Warner, releasing four singles from 1991-1994, but none charted past the 43rd position. After leaving Warner, he recorded for Intersound and then on his own label.

Until he got sick, he was working alongside his brother, Jim Seals and they were working as the duo Seals & Seals. They performed some shows and were working on an album, but never got to finish it, although the songs that they did complete will be released at some point in the future.

On My Mind: The State of the Music Business

I was very interested in this post by Mr. Mellencamp, as were hundreds of others who shared their comments. I believe as a music industry veteran, he certainly knows the business and raises some very importnat and justified points of view.

Copyrights prohibit me from posting the entire article, so please visit the site referenced and read the article in its entirety, and form your own opinions.

On My Mind: The State of the Music Business

Written By John Mellencamp~Musician and Activist

Over the last few years, we have all witnessed the decline of the music business, highlighted by finger-pointing and blame directed against record companies, artists, internet file sharing and any other theories for which a case could be made. We've read and heard about the "good old days" and how things used to be. People remember when music existed as an art that motivated social movements. Artists and their music flourished in back alleys, taverns and barns until, in some cases, a popular groundswell propelled it far and wide. These days, that possibility no longer seems to exist. After 35 years as an artist in the recording business, I feel somehow compelled, not inspired, to stand up for our fellow artists and tell that side of the story as I perceive it. Had the industry not been decimated by a lack of vision caused by corporate bean counters obsessed with the bottom line, musicians would have been able to stick with creating music rather than trying to market it as well.

Read the rest of his interesting comments here:

www.huffingtonpost.com/john-mellencamp

Classic Rock Videos

Mama Told Me Not To Come (Live) by Three Dog Night

Bird & Animal Names In Rock & Roll History-part four

In our continuing series about “bird” and “animal” groups in rock and roll, let’s explore a couple of the most famous and influential “bird” groups in rock.


And to start off, one must include one of the most inventive and legendary “bird” groups of the 1960's, appropriately named the Byrds. With jangling guitars and exceptional harmonies, band members’ Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, Gene Clark, Chris Hillman and Mike Clarke had a number one hit with the Bob Dylan penned “Mr. Tambourine Man” in 1965. That same year the song “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season)” also reached number one on the Billboard charts and remained there for three weeks.

Inspired by the success of the Beatles, Roger McGuinn had been playing Beatles songs in Los Angeles folk clubs when Gene Clark approached him to form a duo. David Crosby subsequently joined them in a group they called the Jet Set, and soon they were joined by drummer Michael Clarke and mandolin-player-turned-bassist Chris Hillman in a band they named The Beefeaters. In November 1964 the group signed to Columbia Records and a few days later renamed themselves the Byrds.

Alas, even with all this splendid talent and spellbinding music, tensions were high and the group saw members leave; one by one. Ironically, Gene Clarke quit the group in 1966 after the hit “Eight Miles High” partly due to his intense fear of flying. David Crosby also left the band and soon formed one of the greatest rock and roll “super groups” of all time: Crosby, Stills & Nash; a group that Neil Young would later join.

McGuinn kept the band going amid these personnel changes and even rebuilt the band, hiring Gram Parsons on keyboards. Chris Hillman departed in 1968 and formed the Flying Burrito Brothers, with Gram Parsons joining him. McGuinn, Clark and Hillman also recorded songs as a trio. Mike Clarke later went on to join Firefall.

All five original Byrds briefly reunited in 1972) to cut a reunion album called “Byrds.” The album was released in March 1973, and earned mixed reviews, and a planned tour with the original five Byrds to support the LP never materialized.

The legendary and iconic magic that was the Byrds were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 and still influence musicians to this day.

With Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck all in the group at one time or another, the Yardbirds were another prolific "super group" and influenced many musicians in the 1960's and still are an influence to this day.

The bulk of the band's conceptual ideas, as well as their songwriting, came from the quartet of singer/harmonica player Keith Relf, drummer Jim McCarty, rhythm guitarist/bassist Chris Dreja, and bassist/producer Paul Samwell-Smith, all of whom co-wrote the Yardbirds' original hits and constituted the core of the group, with Beck, Clapton and Page joining at various times.

While Beck’s time with the band lasted only about eighteen months, it is believed that Beck did more to influence the sound of 1960's rock guitar than anyone except the peerless Jimi Hendrix. Although the group had just a handful of hits, including “For Your Love,” “Heart Full Of Soul,” and “Shapes Of Things,” among others, the progressive psychedelia of the Yardbirds was unsurpassed. Beck was voted #1 lead guitarist of 1966 in the British music magazine Beat Instrumental and his tenure with the Yardbirds was viewed by many as the group's "golden era.”

Clapton left the band after “For Your Love,” not liking the direction of the music and went on to superstardom. Beck and Page, along with new band members, recorded the tune “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago,” which peaked at number 30 on the Billboard charts in 1966. After a few more unsuccessful singles and band mismanagement, members Keith Relf and Jim McCarty left and formed the beginnings of the band Renaissance. Page fulfilled the band’s contractual obligations by forming the New Yardbirds, which would later change their name to Led Zeppelin, a group that has made rock & roll history.

In the 1980s Jim McCarty, Chris Dreja and Paul Samwell-Smith formed the rock outfit called Box of Frogs, which occasionally included Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, plus various friends with whom they'd all recorded over the years.
One could argue that the music created by the Yardbirds is among rock’s best and we certainly know that three members of the group went on to superstardom. The Yardbirds were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

In the next article, we will continue the series of famous “animal” and “bird” names in rock and roll, again focusing on more “bird” bands and names.

Byrds Tidbits:

In October 1969 the band released the Ballad Of Easy Rider. The single from the album was "Jesus Is Just Alright,” which was also a hit for The Doobie Brothers four years later.

In 1971 they released Byrdmaniax, which was a commercial and critical disappointment, largely due to inappropriate orchestration which was added by producer Terry Melcher to many tracks on the album without the band's approval.

Though both Hillman and Crosby have expressed an interest in working with McGuinn again on future Byrds projects, no such reunion has occurred and all three have successful individual careers.

Buy Byrds Music

Yardbirds Tidbits

The first episode of the 2007/2008 season for "The Simpsons" featured The Yardbirds' "I'm A Man" from the CD "Live At B.B. King Blues Club.”

In addition to their six Top 40 songs, the Yardbirds will be remembered as having produced the top three English blues-based guitarists of the ‘60s: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page.

July 7, 1968: The Yardbirds broke up in July of 1968 and guitarist Jimmy Page formed the New Yardbirds and changed the group’s name to Led Zeppelin, allegedly on the advice of the Who’s Keith Moon. (who said the band who go over like a ‘lead zeppelin.’

Buy Yardbirds Music

New Releases

Megaforce Records Celebrates 25th Anniversary Of ANTHRAX's Fistful Of Metal With 3-Record Vinyl Release


One of the albums that can be pinpointed to as the birth of thrash metal is ANTHRAX's 1984 debut, Fistful Of Metal, a recording that perfectly set the stage for the group's subsequent triumphs, and introduced the world to this hard-hitting New York band.

To celebrate the album's 25-year anniversary, Megaforce Records is releasing a limited edition (only 2,000 copies will be made) vinyl release of the album on May 12th, 2009.

But this is no ordinary vinyl reissue, as it will be spread over three 10-inch records in a tri-fold die cut jacket, and will also include the group's 1985 EP, Armed and Dangerous. The Fistful of Metal vinyl limited edition reissue will retail for $39.98 and will be available at Anthrax's official website - www.anthrax.com - amazon.com and record stores across the country.

"We thought, 'What kind of a great package do we do?'," says Megaforce Records Vice President, Missi Callazzo. "Everybody thought 'picture disc,' but picture discs don't really sound so great, so what we decided to do were three 10-inch records that will be in a gatefold jacket. We're die-cutting the cover, so the illustration of the guy and the fist are die-cut, and when you pick it up, that's where the Anthrax logo is. We thought something 'super custom' to celebrate the band's 25th anniversary."

Long-time band members Charlie Benante and Scott Ian went into their storage facilities and grabbed old reviews, clips, photos and things from magazines to be used in the package. "Finally, Fistful of Metal with photos!" laughed Ian. "We did a photo shoot for the record back then and we hated the pics. It was fun to get into the time machine and re-live that time, well, for an hour anyway. Listening to the record after 25 years, and it still feels full of life. Strangely, I don't feel too far removed from what we were doing then."

The only Anthrax record to feature singer Neil Turbin and bassist Danny Lilker - in addition to Ian (rhythm guitar), Benante (drums), and Dan Spitz (lead guitar) - Fistful Of Metal was originally released in January 1984, spawning such early Anthrax classics as 'Deathrider' and 'Metal Thrashing Mad'. The five-song EP, Armed And Dangerous, was originally released in February 1985, and signaled the recording debuts of singer Joey Belladonna and bassist Frank Bello. The EP featured re-recordings of two Fistful tracks ('Metal Thrashing Mad' and 'Panic'), as well as a cover of the SEX PISTOLS' 'God Save The Queen', plus two originals, 'Raise Hell' and the title track.

Also tying in with the reissue of Fistful Of Metal will be Anthrax' first new studio album in six years (and first album for the Megaforce label in almost 19 years), Worship Music, set for a summer release.

"I worked with Anthrax years ago," recalls Callazzo, "and when I heard that they were looking for a deal and to do a new album, I talked to them right away. Those guys are literally like family to me. We're all excited that they're back here on the label."

And lastly, how does the music on Fistful Of Metal and Armed And Dangerous hold up today? According to Callazzo, "I was doing something, had music on my computer, kind of just running. Y'know how you don't know what is playing because you're working? And I was like, 'Wow, this sounds great,' and it was Anthrax! Fistful Of Metal and Armed And Dangerous sound so timeless."

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Blood Red Throne Reveals New "Souls Of Damnation" Album Cover Artwork

Norwegian death metal band Blood Red Throne have finished recording their fifth studio album "Souls of Damnation," which will be released to coincide with the band's 10th anniversary. The cover art for the album can be viewed here.

The limited edition first pressing of "Souls of Damnation" will include two bonus tracks, plus a special bonus DVD featuring an exclusive new interview with the band.

"Souls of Damnation" is due to be released by Earache Records on June 1st in Europe and June 30th in the USA.

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Dinosaur Jr.'s 'Farm' cover art


Here's what I'm getting from the just-released cover art for Farm, Dinosaur Jr.'s second album since reuniting its original lineup a few years back: Guitarist J Mascis and bassist Lou Barlow are magnificent Ents from indie-rock Middle-Earth, bestriding the smog-choked metropolis that is modern music

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Those Darlins to release debut album in July

Nashville classic country/rockabilly trio Those Darlins will release their self-titled debut album on July 7, with the vinyl version dropping a few weeks earlier on June 23.

The band just returned from the SXSW Music Conference in Austin, Texas, where they garnered attention and blogspace from the likes of the New York Times, Paste and Billboard.

Music News & Notes

Blues Musician Dies

Its being reported that legendary Chicago blues harmonica veteran Lester "Mad Dog" Davenport passed away on March 17 at the age of 77.

Davenport's early career peaked in 1955 when he played on Bo Diddley's Pretty Thing and Bring It On Jerome. Over the years, he played with the likes of Kansas City Red, Illinois Slim and Jimmy Dawkins. Later in life, he produced two CDs, 1993's Earwig Music and 2002's I Smell a Rat.

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PETA Angry At Jackson

PETA is after Michael Jackson to do away with his plans to feature wild animals heavily in his London concerts.

A source told London's Daily Mirror, "He hopes to make it the most spectacular gig ever. For the jungle section, he wants to ride out on an African elephant with panthers led on gold chains. Parrots and other birds will fly behind him. If it goes to plan it will look incredible."

PETA has countered the report, saying "These exotic animals belong in Africa, not the O2 Arena among screaming fans, bright lights and stage explosions. These wild animals are deprived of everything that is natural and important to them when they are forced to perform under stressful conditions. Michael needs to learn to leave exotic animals alone."

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Whipping Up Some Jingles

Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo has told Blender magazine that he has a very lucrative side job creating commercial jingles for some big companies.

"I have written music for around 400 commercials, with clients that range from Coke, BMW, Mercedes, Pepsi, Target, McDonald's, Burger King to Taco Bell - probably a good majority of the evil empire. When I was younger, and occasionally today, I include subliminal messages, which is shockingly easy to do. Things like, 'Choose your mutations carefully', 'Are we not men?', 'Question authority' and many others."

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Spandau Ballet Reforming

Spandau Ballet made it official today with the announcement that they've reformed and will tour starting October 13 in Dublin.

The group split in 1989 and waged a ten year battle against each other over royalties. Any talk of the differences were glossed over today when singer Tony Hadley said, "As you can see we're back together again and we're very happy boys. I think it's the realization that time is a great healer."

Gary Kemp added, "This is my other family and I've missed them for the last 20 years."

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U2 Sells Out

Tickets for the U2's shows in the UK and Ireland went on sale at 9 AM last Friday and by 9:01 AM, 6,700 tickets had already been sold for the Wembley Stadium date. Live Nation claims that is the fastest tickets have ever sold for a U.K. event. Overall 215,000 tickets were sold in the first 24 hours.

Classic Rock Videos

THREE DOG NIGHT sings "EASY TO BE HARD"

Music News & Notes

Doghouse Records To Re-Release The Definitive Chamberlain


Doghouse Records is proud to announce the re-release of Chamberlain's definitive 1996album, "Fate's Got a Driver," in an expanded LP featuring rare and previously unreleased bonus songs, content, and artwork on April 21st. The LP is available for pre-order on limited edition (to 500 copies) white vinyl and includes five previously unreleased and rare tracks along with the original eight tracks. A download code will also be included with MP3s of the entire album plus additional MP3 B-Sides and bonus video content.

For those unfamiliar, Chamberlain were one of the most important and influential bands in the underground Midwest music scene. Originally the Indianapolis hardcore band, Split Lip (under whose name the record was intially released), the outfit later decided to change their name to Chamberlain as their sound grew more melodic and mature. Chamberlain has been cited by the likes of Taking Back Sunday, New Found Glory and Dashboard Confessional as a major influence. This is an absolute essential for any vinyl enthusiast or fan of 90s emo or melodic hardcore.

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Isis Prepares Latest Full Length For May 5th Release


LA stalwarts Isis are set to release their most cohesive and challenging work yet with Wavering Radiant, due out May 5th on Ipecac Recordings. Having been on the forefront of the progressive metal scene for over a decade now, the five-piece have managed to pump out landmark records like a well-oiled machine, each one more unique and daring then the last. Routinely changing the genre’s landscape, the group produced destructive, incendiary riffs on their debut, explored the sprawling, vast unknown via 2004’s Oceanic and discordant, rhythmic textures on "The Absence of Truth." Enter: "Wavering Radiant" on May 5th.

Isis will unleash both their most demanding and accessible album yet. A monster of epic proportions, its seven tracks clock in at a total of 54 minutes. The shortest number (also the album’s namesake) stays under two minutes, while its longest reaches 11 minutes. Less tracks then they are portions, they are better described as subsections to one massive piece. After just one listen, it’s clear that Radiant is the sum of years of experimentation, varying influences and the organic infusion of their multiple personalities (band members are featured in a slew of successful side-projects).

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Amid Record Store Closings- Some Good News For Cleveland!


While the City of Cleveland continues to pour resources into opportunity corridors, medical marts, and design districts with minimal returns, a small group of entrepreneurs are doing their part to transform Waterloo Road in the North Collinwood neighborhood into the vinyl district. Granted, record collectors won't spur our region's slagging economy like some of those other big ticket projects, but for the crate digging crowd, there will be no finer destination than Waterloo.

Already home to a unique collection of art galleries and boutiques, Waterloo is also the site of the area's premiere live music venue, The Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, (Who happen to have a choice selection of used vinyl in their basement vintage store, This Way Out) and one of the area's most personable and knowledgeable independent record stores in Music Saves. Now, Waterloo can boast of a third destination for music fans: Blue Arrow Records and Books.

Located just down the street from the Beachland Ballroom at 16001 Waterloo Road, Blue Arrow Records and Books, is the latest venture by Pete Guylas, one time co-owner of Renaissance Parlour in Coventry. While the floor of Blue Arrow Records, exquisitely lacquered with vintage album covers, will be a draw in of itself, it's the contents of this 1300 square foot space which will have vinyl freaks coming back for more -- quality used LPs, 45s, 78s from the '50s to present day, covering rock, soul, jazz, R&B, and country. And, should your shopping buddy be immune to the vinyl craze, Blue Arrow also stocks books, magazines, t-shirts, furniture, and other vintage wares.

If all this sounds too good to be true, and you're waiting for the catch, here it is -- Blue Arrow Records isn't open, yet. Their grand opening celebration is this Thursday, March 26th at 7 PM.

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New Dinosaur JR Music

Dinosaur Jr returned in 2007 with their fantastic comeback album 'Beyond' and now, the legendary collective have got another LP lined up for our audible pleasure.

Simply and rather strangely titled Farm, the new record is due for shelves June 23rd on their brand new label-home Jagjaguwar.

Frontman and chief songwriter of the band, Mascis has taken production duties for this one which increases our excitement ten fold. It's safe to expect some serious noise.

E1 Entertainment has announced plans to help with the re-launch of the legendary Death Row Records.

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Death Row Records Is Back, Re-Launch Set for April


The reemergence of Death Row will begin on April 18th, where it will release a new three-track exclusive sampler during Record Store Day. Songs will include “Hoodstar” from Crooked I, “Pay for the P***y” by Petey Pabo and “Do What You Do” by Danny Boy. According to reports, 90% of all music owned by Death Row has never been released.

E1 Entertainment, formerly known as Koch Records, has announced that it will be helping WIDEawake Entertainment Group with the re-launch of Death Row. The historic label was purchased by WIDEawake for $18million during a bankruptcy auction in January.

Death Row is one of the latest labels to be distributed by E1, which is known as the largest independent record label in the United States. Jim Jones, Fat Joe, Trick Trick Trick, Slim Thug and others are all artists who call E1 Home.

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The Breeders to release Fatal EP

After a six-year gap in the run-up to their fourth album, Mountain Battles, alt-rockers the Breeders are showing no signs of slowing down. Identical-twin sisters and Dayton, Ohio-natives Kim (Pixies bassist) and Kelley Deal have readied a four-track EP called Fate to Fatal, which is set for an April 21 release.

But, like most of the bands releasing limited-edition vinyl for the exclusive-release-happy Record Store Day, this EP will apparently be extremely scarce as well. In fact, the band is self-releasing the extended play and recruited an Ohio artist to do the artwork. Says Kim, "And it seems that now, more than at any other time in the past, we could put the music out ourselves—hand-screen some cool artwork ourselves, sell the EPs at our shows and on our website, as well as get them to traditional record stores and other online outlets. So, we're just going to press up a thousand twelve-inch vinyls."

The EP was recorded at three different places: a studio in England, Steve Albini's studio in Chicago and Kim's basement. The album apparently boasts a sonically diverse sound, and if that's not enough to convince you, Kim says the band "discovered the treble knob."

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SLAYER To Release 'Psychopathy Red' 7" Single As Part Of Third Annual 'Record Store Day'

"Psychopathy Red", the first new track from SLAYER since 2006's thrashterpiece "Christ Illusion", will be available as a seven-inch vinyl disc beginning Saturday, April 18, 2009 as part of the third annual Record Store Day. Only 5,000 of these limited edition discs will be manufactured worldwide, and will be available exclusively at participating independent record stores. Log on to www.recordstoreday.com for the list of participating stores.

The blood-red vinyl "Psychopathy Red" seven-inch collectors item will be packaged in a special Russian crime scene "evidence envelope" (see image below), as the song was inspired by the heinous Russian serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, a.k.a. the Rostov Ripper, who confessed to brutally murdering 56 children. The song was recorded by the band — guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, and drummer Dave Lombardo — in a Los Angeles recording studio last October.

April 18 marks "Record Store Day," the annual day that celebrates the unique culture surrounding the more than 700 independently owned record stores across the U.S. and hundreds of similar stores internationally. The members of SLAYER chose to unleash "Psychopathy Red" on this day — and only through independent record stores — to acknowledge the support those outlets have offered to the band and to metal music over the years.

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Tortoise Get Set To Release New LP

Five long years has passed since Tortoises' last album 'Its All Around You' hit you in the face with its musical force and finally, news on a new LP has surfaced.

The bands latest studio length and sixth album to date has been titled Beacons Of Ancestorship and will hit you in the face with its musical force June 22nd of this very year on the Thrill Jockey label.

Descriptive words have been thrown furiously to-and-fro as to what the new record will sound like so we'll keep it simple and just say it's supposed to be "techno, punk, electro, lo-fi noise, cut-up beats, heavily processed synths, and mournful, elegiac dirges." We kind of like the sound of that...

The Thrill Jockey label are putting a compilation record out for Record Store Day on April 18th by the name of Records Toreism which includes the introductory track from Beacons Of Ancestorship titled High Class Slim Came Floatin' In.

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Green Day's 'Breakdown' Coming May 15

Green Day will release its eighth studio album, "21st Century Breakdown," on Friday, May 15, the group announced today. The long-awaited album, Green Day's first full length since 2004's "American Idiot," is produced by Butch Vig, known for his work with Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and his own band Garbage.

Like its predecessor, "21st Century Breakdown" has a narrative structure, telling the story of a young couple, Christian and Gloria. The album is divided into three acts -- "Heroes and Cons," "Charlatans and Saints" and "Horseshoes and Handgrenades" -- and includes tracks like "21 Guns," "East Jesus Nowhere," "Before the Lobotomy," and "Restless Heart Syndrome."

The first single, "Know Your Enemy," will go on sale digitally in April.

Mr. Music

I am continuing our new feature: Ask "Mr. Music." Now in its 23rd year of syndication (1986-2008), Jerry Osborne's weekly Q&A feature will be a regular post every Wednesday from now on. Be sure to stop by Jerry's site (www.jerryosborne.com) for more Mr. Music archives, record price guides, anything Elvis, buy & sell collectibles, record appraisals and much more. I thank Jerry for allowing the reprints.

FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 16, 2009

DEAR JERRY: In the late '60s (I think 1969) when the Ohio National Guard shot some student protesters at Kent State University, one of four killed is Allison Krause.

Since this name is not among the world's most common, I am wondering if Allison Krause, the Bluegrass singer-fiddler who rose to fame in the 1990s, was named after the deceased Kent State student.

If there is no connection then it seems like an extraordinary fluke.
—Bob Cox, Vincennes, Ind.

DEAR BOB: It is, as you suggest, a fluke.

Both of the names, Allison and Krause, are homophonic — pronounced the same but spelled differently.

Allison Krause is one of four students gunned down May 4, 1970, the others being Jeffrey Miller; Sandra Scheuer; and William Knox Schroeder.

In John Filo's haunting photo, in which a panic-stricken Mary Ann Vecchio kneels over a slain boy, the victim there is Jeffrey Miller.

Alison Krauss is the Bluegrass entertainer whose '90s hits include “Somewhere in Vicinity of the Heart”; “When You Say Nothing at All”; and “Buy Me a Rose” (with Kenny Rogers).


DEAR JERRY: Your recent column about the shortest hit songs, in particular all 35 seconds of “The Ladies' Bras,” prompted a search through my old 45s for a short one I remember.

By Kenny Price, the A-side is “Biloxi,” which was quite popular in the 1970s, but the B-side is “The Shortest Song in the World” (RCA 9869).

Running just 17 seconds, it is about half the length of “The Ladies' Bras.”

Might this truly be the shortest song in the world, at least at that time?—Alana Bennigan, Jackson, Tenn.

DEAR ALANA: “Biloxi” made the Country Top 10 in the summer of 1970, which means a lot of people also have “The Shortest Song in the World.” So you are not the only one to inquire about this song, just the first.

Yes, 17 seconds is a mighty short song, but Kenny Price's brief tune is MUCH longer than the all-time quickie — without regard to sales or hit status.

That one came along in late '55 in conjunction with Les Paul and Mary Ford's “Amukiriki (The Lord Willing)” backed with “Magic Melody” (Capitol 3248).

Both sides charted though “Amukiriki” became the top side, eventually reaching the Top 40.

The ordinary release of “Magic Melody” runs 2:20, but as an attention getting gimmick, Capitol produced a special promotional single titled “Magic Melody Part 2” (PRO-234).

With just two guitar notes and a running time of only one second, this is truly the shortest recorded song in the world. At least until someone plays a one note tune, lasting only a half-second.


DEAR JERRY: A few years ago you told how “Songs from Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937) became the first soundtrack album.

It now seems logical to ask if the first Original Cast album came before or after the Disney release, and what is the show?—Leroy Spurling, Milwaukee

DEAR LEROY: Logical indeed, though I doubt the answer will shock you. In 1943, Decca records released the first Original Cast album: “Selections from the Theatre Guild Musical Play Oklahoma! (Featuring Members of the Original New York Production)” (DA-359).

It contains 12 songs on six 78 rpms, by Alfred Drake; Joan Roberts; Howard Da Silva; Celeste Holm; and Lee Dixon.

IZ ZAT SO? We are so accustomed to Original Cast albums being recorded during a live performance that it's fascinating to realize the process didn't begin that way.

Not yet being set up to record live at the St. James Theatre in 1943, producer Jack Kapp arranged for the full cast and orchestra to record the show's music in Decca's New York studio.

Thus “Oklahoma!” has the distinction of being both an Original Cast and a Studio Cast recording.

This Date In Music History- March 25

Birthdays:

Aretha Franklin (1942)

Elton John (1947)

Nick Lowe (1949)

Bonnie Guitar is 85.

Anita Bryant ("Paper Roses") turns 69.

Cathy Dennis, singer, songwriter (1969)


They Are Missed:

Blind guitarist Jeff Healey was born in 1966. Healey died of cancer on March 2, 2008.

Born on this day in 1934, singer Johnny Burnette. He was killed in a boating accident on Clear Lake, California on August 1, 1964 (age 30).

Hoyt Axton, who wrote Steppenwolf's "The Pusher" and Three Dog Night's "Joy to the World," was born in Duncan, Oklahoma in 1938. Axton died of a heart attack on October 10, 1999 (age 61).

Country legend Buck Owens died in 2006 (age 76). His songs were covered by The Beatles and he hosted Hee-Haw for several years.

Bill Kenny, lead singer of The Ink Spots died in 1978.


History:

In 1956, Alan Freed’s 3-day Rock ‘n’ Roll Show in Hartford, Connecticut, concluded after several arrests. Hartford Institute of Living psychiatrist Dr. Francis Braceland claimed “Rock ‘n’ Roll is a communicable disease… driving teenagers to do outlandish things. It’s cannibalistic and tribalistic.” Cannibalistic??

Roy Orbison recorded "Only the Lonely” in 1960.

Ray Charles recorded his signature song "Georgia on My Mind" in 1960.

The Who played their first American show at New York's RKO Radio Theater in 1967.

Elvis Presley performed on the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1961. It was to be his last concert appearance for eight years.

In 1964, the Beatles made their first appearance on Britain's Top of the Pops, singing "Can't Buy Me Love."

The last episode of The Monkees television show aired in 1968. The idea of following the hi-jinks of a rock band's life was taken from the Beatles' A Hard Day's Night film.

Today in 1967, the song "Happy Together" by the Turtles topped the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks.

Van Halen release Van Halen II in 1979.

In 1966, at a photo session with Bob Whitaker’s studio in London, The Beatles posed in white coats using sides of meat with mutilated and butchered dolls for the cover of their next American album, ‘Yesterday and Today’. After a public outcry, the L.P. was pulled from stores and re-issued with a new cover.

Today in 1972, the song "A Horse with No Name" by America topped the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks.

In 1995, Pearl Jam front man Eddie Vedder was rescued after a riptide carried him 250 feet offshore in New Zealand.

John and Yoko started their week long 'bed-in' in the presidential suite at The Amsterdam Hilton Hotel in 1969. The couple invited the world's press into their hotel room every day, to talk about promoting world peace.

Motley Crue's Tommy Lee was arrested in 1990 for mooning at the audience during a gig in Augusta. Lee was charged with indecent exposure.

In 1983, Motown Records celebrated its 25 anniversary with a concert in Pasadena, featuring; The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, Jr. Walker, The Commodores, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and The Jackson 5.

In 2008, the B-52s issued “Funplex,” their first album of original material in 16 years. 2008

Pop art in the era of the pixel

Pink Floyd's designer Storm Thorgerson on highlights of his career

by James Alexander
BBC News


It is 70 years since the first album cover. But, now that discs are giving way to digital downloads, what is the future for album art?

For generations of music fans, the album cover has a special place. We all have our favourites (and least favourite) - images stared at and studied in teenage bedrooms the world over.


Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon album over is iconic

From Andy Warhol's banana on the front of the first Velvet Underground record to the underwater baby pursuing a dollar bill on the cover of Nirvana's Nevermind, these were pictures that teased and intrigued.

They offered a tantalising glimpse into worlds that seemed glamorous, exciting and strange. But the once vast canvas is shrinking - whereas on glossy LP covers these images enjoyed a full 12 inches of sleeve space, this reduced to five inches with the advent of the CD.

And now, with the shift from discs to downloads, the space allotted to album art is even smaller. On many MP3 players the sleeve appears not much bigger than a postage stamp - so can the album cover survive?

Album cover reform

It was in 1939 that young designer Alexander Steinweiss persuaded Columbia Records that the use of original artwork might attract more buyers.

Previously records came in drab brown cardboard covers with little to mark them out except the name of the artist and the album.

The change was a big hit. Label bosses soon found the extra sales more than made up for the added printing costs.

In the 1960s the Beatles took album art to a new level - Sgt Pepper, with its colourful cast of characters, came in a gatefold cover complete with a psychedelic inner sleeve and even a cardboard moustache to cut out and keep.

In the years that followed, no expense was spared in creating ever more extravagant and experimental designs.

The multi-layered artwork for New Order's 12-inch single Blue Monday cost so much to produce Factory Records claimed it actually lost money on every copy sold.

Of course not every sleeve was memorable for the right reasons - some were tacky and cheap, others were simply bizarre. Even a classic like the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds suffers from a cover photo that takes a horribly literal approach to the album's title.

The art of Storm Thorgerson is as famous as the music it accompanies. A childhood friend of the founding members of Pink Floyd, he went on to become their designer-in-chief, fashioning a string of eye-catching creations.

There was the mournful-looking cow on the front of Atom Heart Mother, the burning businessman on the sleeve of Wish You Were Here, the giant pig flying over Battersea Power Station and - most famously of all - the prism spreading a spectrum of colour across The Dark Side Of The Moon.

'Cool graphic'

"It's a nice but simple idea," Thorgerson explains, surrounded by books and sketches in the same North London studio where the design took shape three decades ago.


Storm Thorgerson created a string of Pink Floyd covers including Pulse

"Refracting light through a prism is a common feature in nature, as in a rainbow. I would like to claim it, but unfortunately it's not mine!"

The idea was sparked by Pink Floyd's keyboard player, the late Richard Wright.

"He said, somewhat provocatively, 'Let's not have one of your photos, we've had your photos before. Can't we have a change? A cool graphic - something smart, tidy, elegant.'"

Thorgerson responded with seven rough suggestions that he pinned to the wall of Abbey Road studios.

The band took just seconds to plump for the prism, an image that seemed to perfectly embody the stark themes that underpin The Dark Side Of The Moon.

Design matters

Although Thorgerson remains best-known for his collaborations with Pink Floyd, his design credits also include albums by Led Zeppelin, Peter Gabriel and Muse.

Now he has collected his favourites into a limited edition box set, alongside signed prints and previously unseen drawings.

He continues to be in demand and says he's untroubled by the shrinking space given to album art.


Thorgerson's design credits also include albums by Peter Gabriel

"I think it's more about the design that matters. So, once that has been uncovered, then you have an image that will hopefully work everywhere and always," he says.

"I don't worry if it's an LP, CD or MP3 - I always see it as very big. Even though it may be very small, it will get used big somewhere - a hoarding or a poster or an advert in a magazine."

And this may be the future where designs are experienced less as album covers and more as billboards, concert images, screensavers, even as framed pieces of art.

"The golden age of the album cover is pretty much over," says Simon Warner, a lecturer in popular music at Leeds University.

"There has been a revival in vinyl sales the last few years driven largely by nostalgia. But, in overall terms, the era of vinyl - the era of the album cover - has gone," he says.

"We live in an age when you can download videos to your computer or iPod. We can still enjoy a wide range of imagery associated with an artist, but that idea of the static 2-D work of art is no longer necessarily the only way to enjoy an artist's essence."

It is doubtful the traditional album sleeve that has excited generations of music lovers will hold the same fascination for fans of the future.

But it seems likely the magical marriage of sound and vision, music and art will continue to colour the songs we hear.

Taken by Storm - album art by Storm Thorgerson is published by Genesis Publications.

SOURCE: http://news.bbc.co.uk/

Classic Rock Videos

Three Dog Night - Eli's Coming

Bird & Animal Names In Rock & Roll-part three

Throughout music history there have been many bands that have adopted an "animal" or "bird" monikers to represent their band and their sound. Some artists even have a last name that fits into this category and in this continuing article series we will explore some of the unique "animal" and "bird" names and the diverse music that has been created by these groups or individuals. Let's look at part three of our Bird article series (look for this feature every Tuesday & Thursday!)


In our continuing series about “bird”and “animal” groups and artists in music history, let’s explore more group names.

With the distinctive and quintessential biker anthem “Born To Be Wild,” the band Steppenwolf created some of the most rock friendly tunes that an entire subculture embraced in the late 1960's. There is also the intrinsic value of the anti-drug song called “The Pusher” (written by Hoyt Axton) and both of these songs were featured in the now cult-classic film “Easy Rider.”


Steppenwolf’s seminal leader John Kay (always with sunglasses on because he has been legally blind since childhood) joined the burgeoning folk rock crowd while in California (he escaped from East Germany in 1948 with his widowed mother) and appeared on his first record playing the harmonica on a song called “The Frog.” He performed all around the country and met future band mate Jerry Edmonton (in New York), who was playing in a Canadian band called The Sparrows. Kay joined the band in 1965 and the group toured and recorded without much success and eventually disbanded. But in 1968, ABC-Dunhill producer Gabriel Mekler prodded Kay to reunite with his band mates and even offered them studio time. Edmonton’s brother offered the reunited group a song that he had written (which was the smash hit “Born To Be Wild”) and, opposed to reviving the Sparrow name, they called themselves Steppenwolf after the Hermann Hesse novel that Mekler had just finished reading.

John Kay and company also hit pay dirt with an inventive psychedelic follow-up hit “Magic Carpet Ride” as well as the Top Ten hit “Rock Me.” After some minor success after their monster hits, Steppenwolf disbanded in 1972, but alternative versions of the band have toured worldwide. Jon Kay reformed his version in the mid 80's, grinding out tours and some new songs at oldies shows and also adding a classic rock touch to Farm Aid Two and Three. But the group will be forever remembered for the ultimate biker song and their meat and potatoes rock and roll sound.

During the peak of the “bubble gum” era in rock history, Crazy Elephant hit the Top 40 (peaking at number 12) in 1969 with their one hit wonder tune “Gimme, Gimme Good Lovin’.” The group was assembled by producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeff Katz with Robert Spencer of the Cadillacs on lead vocals. A memorable “one hit wonder,” the song stayed in the Top 40 Billboard charts for eight weeks.

In 1967, five teen and preteen siblings and their mother hit the Billboard charts with the Top Ten hit “The Rain, The Park And Other Things.” A precursor to the Partridge Family (more about them in the next article of the series), the Cowsills also hit the Top Ten with the song “Indian Giver” and secured major success with the theme from the Broadway hit “Hair.” With conventional harmonies and a hazy sweetness to their music, this actual family released four Top 40 hits in the late 1960's. Mother, Barbara died in 1985 and three of the brothers and Susan Cowsill reunited and toured and recorded several demos.

In 1991, Susan Cowsill formed the L.A.-based Psycho Sisters with former Bangle Vicki Peterson and together they would eventually join the alternative rock group Continental Drifters. Brother Barry Cowsill worked as a solo act in the 90's and brother Bill would form the band Blue Shadows. In 1994, brothers Bob, John, Paul and sister Susan revived the Cowsills and they contributed a new track to the compilation comeback album called “Yellow Pills, Volume One Global” (released in 1998) which was only available through the Internet. Various siblings occasionally reunite and perform together. Another interesting tidbit is that CD reissues of the Cowsills in concert include a rare EP that was originally recorded for the American Dairy Association.

In the next article, we will delve into some “bird” groups and people that have dotted the musical landscape.

Steppenwolf Tidbits:

While the band has achieved great success in the music arena, it has yet to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

As the band was named after the novel Der Steppenwolf by German author Hermann Hesse, who was born in the Black Forest town of Calw, the city invited them to come over and play in the International Hermann-Hesse-Festival 2002. The concert drew considerable media coverage, with Kay's fluent German stunning those who did not know beforehand that he grew up in Germany.

Steppenwolf reformed in 1974 with its core linup of Kay, Edmonton, and McJohn, along with longtime bassist Biondo and newcomer Bobby Cochran, Eddie Cochran's nephew. Their first album was Slow Flux which included their last Top-40 hit, "Straight Shootin' Woman.”

The band has sold more than 25 million units worldwide, releasing 8 gold albums.

Buy Steppenwolf Music

Buy Crazy Elephant Music

Buy Cowsills Music

Cowsills Tidbits:

After working as a sound engineer for Helen Reddy, Paul left the music industry for a career in construction.

Currently, Bob, Paul and Susan perform several shows per month as The Cowsills, while maintaining their separate lives and careers. In 2007, they toured as part of a package called "The Original Idols Live!"

Both Barry Cowsill and his sister Susan were living in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina struck on August 29, 2005. According to cowsill.com, Susan and her husband left New Orleans and were accounted for, but Barry perished in the disaster on Jan 4, 2006.

Bill Cowsill died on February 17, 2006 in Calgary, Alberta His death has since been officially listed as due to complications from a variety of ailments that Bill had suffered from for years, including emphysema, osteoporosis and Cushing syndrome.

Look for part four on Thursday!

Today's New Vinyl Releases

1990s: Kicks (vinyl)

Arthur Russell: The Sleeping Bag Sessions (vinyl)

Charles Spearin: The Happiness Project (vinyl)

Crosby Stills Nash & Young: CSNY/Deja Vu Live (2-LP vinyl)

Dalek: Gutter Tactics (vinyl)

Dan Deacon: Bromst (vinyl)

Dan Hicks: Tangled Tales (vinyl)

Decemberists: The Hazards of Love (vinyl)

Green Day: 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours (2-LP reissue)

Green Day: Kerplunk (vinyl)

Husker Du: Candy Apple Grey (vinyl reissue)

Indigo Girls: Poseidon and the Bitter Bug (with bonus CD)

Jeremy Jay: Slow Dance (vinyl)

The Lymyc Systym: Carved by Glaciers (vinyl)

M. Ward: End of Amnesia (vinyl reissue)

Mastodon: Divinations (vinyl picture disc single)

MSTRKRFT: Fist of God (vinyl)

O+S: O+S (vinyl)

Obits: I Blame You (vinyl)

Pearl Jam: Ten (2-CD & DVD Deluxe Edition) (2-CD edition) (2-LP edition) (2-CD & DVD & 4=LP & cassette edition)

Ponytail: Ice Cream Spiritual! (green vinyl)

Radiohead: The Bends (remastered with bonus CD) (2-CDs & DVD)

Radiohead: OK Computer (remastered with bonus CD) (2-CDs & DVD)

Radiohead: Pablo Honey (remastered with bonus CD) (2-CDs & DVD)

Rafter: 10 Songs

Red Red Meat: Bunny Gets Paid (remastered with bonus disc)

Royksopp: Junior (vinyl)

Sarah Borges: The Stars Are Out (vinyl)

Serge Gainsbourg: Histoire de Melody Nelson (remastered with bonus tracks) (vinyl)

Swan Lake: Enemy Mine (vinyl)

Warren Zevon: Excitable Boy (vinyl reissue)

Buy Your Vinyl Here: http://www.insound.com/index.php?from=5141

Music News & Notes

Chamberlin Quits Pumpkins

Drummer Jimmy Chamberlin has left the Smashing Pumpkins, according to a statement on the band's Website released late Friday. When Billy Corgan resurrected the Pumpkins name in 2007, Chamberlin was the only other original member to return to the lineup. In a simple statement, it was announced that Chamberlin had left the group and that Corgan "will continue to write and record as the Smashing Pumpkins with plans to head into the studio this spring." Corgan has come under fire for a variety of reasons over the past year, from goading angry fans at last fall's unusual Pumpkins gigs to testifying in Washington in favor of the Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger.

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Phish Side Project

Phish’s Trey Anastasio has teamed up with composer Don Hart to create Time Turns Elastic, a classical/blues-rock crossover project, released by Rubber Jungle Records.

"Neither of us had ever heard anything that uses a guitar as a serious instrument intermingled with an orchestra in the same way one would write a concerto for a violin and orchestra," says Anastasio, who first collaborated with Hart at the 2004 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. The piece will make its debut on May 21 at a sold-out show in Baltimore with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, while the record is due out May 12.

MySpace Music is exclusively streaming the new album, Living Thing, from indie band Peter Bjorn and John, days before its U.S. release. Fans can currently listen to the record in its entirety via myspace.com/peterbjornandjohn. Tour dates, videos and other band information are also available through the MySpace page.

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Guns N' Roses Adds Guitarist

Guns N' Roses announced the addition of guitarist DJ Ashba, a founding member of Nikki Sixx’s Sixx:A.M., for their upcoming touring lineup. "DJ's a gifted, energetic guitarist that Guns N’ Roses is proud to have on board," Axl Rose said in a statement. "We're very excited to have the opportunity to work together. Guns' radar has silently been aware of DJ’s presence for quite some time! He brings a fresh approach to our particular brand of mayhem expanding the tapestry of Guns N' Roses live. Once DJ’s name was in the hat, the hat disappeared!" Ashba is replacing Robin Finck, who rejoined Nine Inch Nails after recording Chinese Democracy with GN’R. Details of when this "upcoming tour" will happen still remain to be seen.

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Anniversary edition of Pearl Jam's '10' is being released Today

Diehard Pearl Jam fans out there, and they are legion, might be able to explain the significance of Tuesday's date in the band's chronology. Whatever the date might have signified in the past, from now on it will mark the re-release of "Ten," the band's first album that came out a little more than 17½ years ago, on Aug. 27, 1991.

The "Ten" deluxe edition has four different versions, ranging in price from $19.99 to $199.99 for the super-duper deluxe package that includes two CDs, a DVD, four vinyl LPs, a cassette and various replica mementos of the band's early days. If you are the ultimate Pearl Jam fan -- and you have lots of disposable income -- this is the package for you!