Gordon Waller of Peter and Gordon Passes Away

Gordon Waller, who sang with the British invasion duo, Peter & Gordon, died on July 16, 2009. Waller went into cardiac arrest and was taken to a nearby hospital; however despite intensive efforts by hospital personnel, they were unable to revive the sixty-four year old singer.

Long time friend and musical partner Peter Asher stated:

"Gordon played such a significant role in my life that losing him is hard to comprehend – let alone to tolerate. He was my best friend at school almost half a century ago. He was not only my musical partner but played a key role in my conversion from only a snooty jazz fan to a true rock and roll believer as well. Without Gordon I would never have begun my career in the music business in the first place. Our professional years together in the sixties constitute a major part of my life and I have always treasured them.”

While both were attending Westminster School, Waller met fellow student and future singing partner Peter Asher and they began playing together as a duo — Peter & Gordon. As luck would have it, Peter Asher’s sister, actress Jane Asher, was dating Beatle Paul McCartney at the time and Peter and Gordon recorded the Lennon/McCartney penned song “A World Without Love,” which went to #1 in the US in 1964.

The duo reached the Billboard Top 40 a total of ten times with songs such as "Nobody I Know" (#12 in 1964), "I Don't Want To See You Again" (#16 in 1964), the Del Shannon penned single “I Go To Pieces” (#9 in 1965), a remake of the Buddy Holly classic “True Love Ways” (#14 in 1965), a cover of the Phil Spector-led group the Teddy Bears, with the song “To Know You Is To Love You” (they changed the title from “To Know Him Is To Love Him) and the 1966 single “Woman.” Interestingly, the songwriting credit for this song listed Bernard Webb as the songwriter; however this was just an alias for Paul McCartney, who wanted to see if he could have a hit song without his famous name attached to it. The song reached #14 in the US and #28 in the UK. They also reached #6 with the cut “Lady Godiva” in 1966.

The duo had their last hits in 1967 with “Knight In Rusty Armour” (#15) and “Sunday For Tea,” which peaked at #31. Peter & Gordon broke up in 1968 and Asher became head of A&R for Apple Records. Waller attempted a solo career with little success, releasing one record, “and Gordon” (1972). He also appeared in a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Pharaoh, a performance that he reprised on the LP. In 2007, Gordon released a solo album “Plays the Beatles,” which featured a new recording of the duo’s 1966 hit "Woman." He followed up with another album in 2008 called “Rebel Rider.”

In 2005, Peter & Gordon reunited onstage for the first time in over 30 years, as part of two tribute concerts for Mike Smith of the Dave Clark Five. They followed up this appearance with several other performances including concerts at The Festival for Beatles Fans (formerly Beatlefest), where according to a report by Journalist Peter Palmiere for Beatlefan magazine, the pair was the performing highlight of the convention. On July 19, 2008 Peter & Gordon performed together at The Cannery Casino in North Las Vegas, Nevada and on August 21, 2008, they performed a free concert on the pier in Santa Monica, California, briefly accompanied by Joan Baez.

Peter Asher was truly saddened by the news of his partner in music passing away, saying:

"I shall miss him in so many different ways. The idea that I shall never get to sing those songs with him again, that I shall never again be able to get annoyed when he interrupts me on stage or to laugh at his unpredictable sense of humor or even to admire his newest model train or his latest gardening effort is an unthinkable change in my life with which I have not even begun to come to terms.”

"Gordon remains one of my very favorite singers of all time and I am still so proud of the work that we did together. I am just a harmony guy and Gordon was the heart and soul of our duo.”

Written By Robert Benson 2009 www.collectingvinylrecords.com

Classic Rock Videos

Boston Peace Of Mind

Bird & Animal Names In Rock And Roll History- part twenty-one

Written By Robert Benson

Let’s continue with our series about “bird” and ”animal” band names in rock and roll history, this time continuing our short theme, we have done dogs, then cats, in our last two articles and now, you guessed it, we are doing ‘mouse’ names.

Since 1993, the German duo of Jan St. Werner (from Dusseldorf) and Andi Toma (Koln) has been creating electronic music as Mouse On Mars. Their music is an eclectic blend of ambient techno, disco and complex mixtures of rock, jazz and jungle.

The duo’s first release in 1994 called “Vulvaland,” is a highly focused mix of techno music. However on subsequent releases, their sound has increased in warmth and playfulness, including more of a pop sound and what the duo term "fantastic analysis.” Mouse on Mars regularly perform live as a trio, with Toma & St. Werner augmented by drummer Dodo NKishi. In 2005, they released their first live album, titled Live 04.

While releasing albums mainly on British indie labels, Mouse on Mars actually started their own label, Sonig, on which they release their own work and work by other German artists. They also keep very busy producing a number of EPs and have recorded music for film soundtracks as well as remixing the work of other musicians.


Another ‘mouse’ band that was formed in 1993, Modest Mouse, are an American indie band that have found success with their breakthrough album in 1997 called “The Lonesome Crowded West.” Amid many personnel changes, the band gained a cult following and is now considered to be one of the seminal bands of the mid-90’s indie music scene. The group derived their name from a passage from the Virginia Woolf story "The Mark on the Wall" which reads, "I wish I could hit upon a pleasant track of thought, a track indirectly reflecting credit upon myself, for those are the pleasantest thoughts, and very frequent even in the minds of modest, mouse-coloured people, who believe genuinely that they dislike to hear their own praises."

The band has attained significant mainstream success after they were signed to Sony's Epic Records in 2001. Modest Mouse are one of the leading bands in the commercialization of indie rock, beginning with their LPs “The Moon & Antarctica” and “Good News for People Who Love Bad News,” which have been certified gold and platinum by the RIAA respectively. The band has gone on to sell well over three million records since.

After releasing a variety of singles and rarities in 2000, the group released the first LP on Epic Records, the aforementioned “The Moon & Antarctica” and they enjoyed some success on alternative radio with the singles "3rd Planet" and "Gravity Rides Everything;” which wound up being used in a Nissan commercial; a move that the band publicly acknowledged as blatantly commercial but necessary to achieve financial stability.

In 2001, they released the EP “Everywhere and His Nasty Parlour Tricks,” which was a collection of unused songs from the “The Moon and Antarctica” recording sessions. In 2002, they joined Cake, De La Soul, The Flaming Lips, The Hackensaw Boys and Kinky on the Unlimited Sunshine Tour.

More personnel changes followed before the release of 2004’s “Good News for People Who Love Bad News,” which scored the group two hits, “Float” and “Ocean Breathes Salty” (which they performed on a SNL gig in November of 2004). The album was nominated for a Grammy for Best Alternative Rock Album as well.

Amid more personnel changes (Johnny Marr, the former guitarist for The Smiths replacing Dann Gallucci), the band released "We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank" in March of 2007. The album was highly successful and became the first Modest Mouse album to reach number one on the US Billboard 200 charts, spawning the hit single "Dashboard," as well as the singles "Missed the Boat" and "We've Got Everything."

The band toured extensively to promote the LP, touring with R.E.M. and The National in 2008. An update on the band's blog featured a picture of the band rehearsing new songs and an EP titled “No One's First and You're Next” is scheduled for release in August 2009. In the meantime, the band released the single "Satellite Skin" 7" on May 5, 2009 and have concerts dates in Canada in August 2009. We can expect more great music from the near future.

Our next ‘mouse’ band is a prolific garage rock band called Mouse and the Traps, who are most known for their uncanny imitation of the Highway 61-era Bob Dylan sound with their regional hit “A Public Execution;” which could easily fool even the most die-hard Dylan fanatic. The Tyler, Texas band released some classic Texas punk-psychedelia from 1965-1969.

Mouse and the Traps took their name from lead singer Ronnie “Mouse” Weiss who was a member in a local band Jerry Vee and the Catalinas, with fellow musician Dave Stanley. They got together with a gent called Bugs Henderson (who co-wrote the cut “A Public Execution with Weiss) and brought the song to Robin Hood Brians, who was the manager of Robin Hood Studios in Tyler (it is still in operation to this day). They released the single in 1966 under the moniker Mouse, but when Jerry Howell and Ken Murray joined the band, most of the remaining music was released under the name Mouse and the Traps.

After releasing several regional singles on the Fraternity Records label, Mouse and the Traps recorded two singles for Bell Records. These cuts were produced by Dale Hawkins (the writer and original recording artist for the early Creedence Clearwater Revival hit, "Suzie Q"). The band also performed on two of Hawkins' singles and contributed toward his 1966 album on the label, L.A., Memphis and Tyler, Texas. The band officially broke up in 1969, but all members remained in music except Jerry Howell (who became a Baptist minister).

By 1966, the members of Mouse and the Traps – along with Robin Hood Brians and Doug Rhone – were working with singer Jimmy Rabbitt, who was attempting to launch a band under the name Positively 13 O'Clock, an obvious play on Dylan's hit in the same time period, "Positively 4th Street." They recorded a frantic version of Count Five's "Psychotic Reaction" at Hanna-Barbera Records in September of 1966, but an album that was planned never materialized. However, if you are looking for some great 60’s garage rock and pop rockers, you have to include Mouse and the Traps in your search.


Mouse On Mars Tidbits:

Mouse on Mars collaborated in the studio and toured with Stereolab in the mid 1990s. St. Werner and Toma are childhood friends who were born on the same day, in the same hospital.

Buy Mouse On Mars Music



Modest Mouse Tidbits:

Modest Mouse formed in 1993 in the Seattle suburb of Issaquah, Washington by singer/lyricist/guitarist Isaac Brock, drummer Jeremiah Green, and bassist Eric Judy. Johnny Marr joined the band in May 2006 with percussionist Joe Plummer and multi-instrumentalist Tom Peloso.

In March 2003, Green quit the band after suffering a nervous breakdown; however the official word was that he was quitting to work with his side project, Vells. He was replaced with two new members, drummer Benjamin Weikel and guitarist Dann Gallucci (who has since left). Guitarist Jim Fairchild joined the band in February of 2009.

Modest Mouse was mentioned by name in the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of MGM v. Grokster. Justice David Souter wrote that on the Grokster P2P network, "Users seeking Top 40 songs, for example, or the latest release by Modest Mouse, are certain to be far more numerous than those seeking a free Decameron, and Grokster and StreamCast translated that demand into dollars."

R.E.M., Modest Mouse, Spoon, Death Cab for Cutie, Jarvis Cocker, The Flaming Lips, The Decemberists, Public Enemy, Rage Against the Machine, and Fleet Foxes are just a few of the artists whose handmade signs featured in Under the Radar's Protest Issue will be auctioned off beginning September 30, 2009 to benefit War Child International.

Buy Modest Mouse Music



Mouse and the Traps Tidbits:

The band reformed briefly in 1972 but had a genuine reunion in 1986 with the original members during the Texas Sesquicentennial celebration. A videotape of the 1986 reunion concert is reportedly available.

Ronnie (Mouse) Weiss continues to tour and perform regularly, and often with his former bandmates; he is also a writer and is in demand as a session player.

Bugs Henderson has had a renowned career as an influential blues/rock guitarist with eight albums to his credit. His 2004 release on No Guru Records, “Stormy Love” includes a version of "Maid of Sugar, Maid of Spice,” a regional hit for Mouse and the Traps.

Dave Stanley and Ken Murray, together with Larry Stanley founded the Lone Star Ramblers. They were featured performers at Dolly Parton's theme park, Dollywood from 1988 to 1996, and also appear annually at the Texas State Fair.

Jimmy Rabbitt has had a long and varied career as a rockabilly musician. He is also a celebrated Dallas and Los Angeles disc jockey who has had an internationally syndicated radio program, The Rabbitt Report since 1971.

Buy Mouse and the Traps Music

Music News & Notes

50 Cent Sets September Release Date For 'Perfect' New Album

Megastar rapper 50 Cent's long-awaited new album 'Before I Self Destruct' is scheduled to be released on September 29.

The album, which features production from Dr Dre and Timbaland, was originally due out last year.

"My album - it's perfect, I feel. I'm ready. I'm ready to put this album out. I really don't need adjustments," related 50 Cent to MTV.

“I need a few songs to be finished, mixed. Dre, he drags his feet. He's slow, but it's because he's so creative. He's gonna make sure it's perfect. I'm never mad at it. I understand that process from him.”

'Before I Self Destruct' was originally due out last December, but was postponed so producer Dr Dre could work on Eminem's recent album 'Relapse'

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Pepsi Unaware How Michael Jackson Fire Video Leaked Online

Pepsi have said they are unaware how a video of Michael Jackson's hair being set on fire while shooting a commercial for the drinks company leaked onto the internet.

The footage – obtained by Us Weekly – shows Jackson's hair catching fire after a pyrotechnics accident occurred on the set of the 1984 commercial.

The incident, which left Jackson with severe burns, has been blamed for triggering the star's dependence on prescription drugs.

A spokeswoman for Pepsi told EW: “We don’t know how the footage became available. Twenty-five years later, we’d question why anyone would want to share such frightening images.

I am guilty of posting the video and I apologize, it was in poor taste and I have removed it. Shame on me.....

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Coldplay Become First Band To Sell Over 1 Million Digital Albums

It's been reported that rockers Coldplay have become the first act to sell more than one million digital albums in America, according to new figures.

The group have sold a total 1.358 million full-length records in the US, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The band's fourth album, 'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends', has also become the biggest selling digital release in Nielsen's history.

The record was the biggest selling album in 2008, shifting more than 6.6million copies around the world.

However, your talking to a guy who has never downloaded a song in his life, so I am certainly not one of the 6.6 yoyo's who prefer music digitized and ruined by computer sound.

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For those of you who embellish and partake in the some of God's creations, this is the kind of thing that they were made for....



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Cheap Trick To Release "The Latest"

Cheap Trick's new album "The Latest" is set for a national retail release on July 21st via the band's own label Cheap Trick Unlimited distributed by RED. With exclusive availability since June 23rd through the band's website and Amazon.com, the new outing has garnered positive reviews from critics and fans alike.

The Associated Press declares the album "sounds like a bunch of amped-up 20-year olds gleefully bashing away in a garage for nothing more than the sheer joy of plugging in, turning it up all the way and rocking out." "The Latest is vintage Cheap Trick - power pop delivered with humor, bravado and confidence, the guitars roaring, Robin Zander's voice high in flight," states The Wall Street Journal

Cheap Trick formed in the city of Rockford, IL, in 1974. The band has sold over 20 million albums and had numerous hits including "Surrender," "I Want You to Want Me" and "Dream Police." Cheap Trick features the original line-up of Robin Zander - vocals and guitar, Rick Nielsen - guitar and backing vocals, Bun E. Carlos - drums and backing vocals and Tom Petersson - bass and backing vocals.

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Harvey Danger Calling It Quits

After 15 years as a semi-successful band, Seattle-based quintet Harvey Danger has decided to play a few final shows and disband. It’s kinda like going on vacation with your significant other before you bust up. The Danger is best known for its highly infectious 1998 mega-hit “Flagpole Sitta” with the abrasive chorus: “I’m not sick, but I’m not well/And I’m so hot cause I’m in hell/ I’m not sick, but I’m not well/And it’s a sin, to live so well.” Even though that song has been milked to death, the band actually has three albums of solid (albeit less commercial) material worth checking out.

A statement on the band’s website reads: “After 15 years, three albums, hundreds of shows, and far more twists and turns than we ever imagined possible, we’ve decided to put Harvey Danger to rest. The decision is totally mutual and utterly amicable. Everyone is very proud of the work we’ve done together, but we’ve also come to feel that our collaboration has — in a very positive way — run its course. We’re all eager to try our hands at other projects, musical and otherwise…Being in this band has been a long, rewarding experience, and without you, it would probably just have been long. We hope that the relatively small body of work we’ve left behind (a bit more than the Sex Pistols, a tad less than Prince) continues to find a place in people’s music libraries.”

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Calling All Beatles Fans

Pre-order the remastered CDs, including the box sets









The Ultimate Rock Collection Gold & Platinum 1964-1995 ~ 6 CD Boxed Set w/Book

Mr. Music-Special Edition-Michael Jackson Vinyl

I usually post Jerry Osborne's Mr. Music feature on Wednesdays, but this is very topical and I am sure that there are many people confused as to the value of Michael Jackson vinyl. Why, the first week, the prices were outrageous, I had heard of a Thriller LP for sale for $1 million. Fact is, all this will die down, as Jerry points out, there are so many copies of Thriller, before his death, they could be found at any record store bin for less than a few dollars.

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FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 13, 2009


DEAR JERRY: Immediately after the story broke about the death of Michael Jackson, a flood of Jackson memorabilia hit the online auction blocks.

I don't know much about the non-recorded items, but I do follow the vinyl market. In disbelief I have seen some very common albums, especially “Thriller,” selling for hundreds of times the normal price.

Are these buyers making wise investments? Or is this nothing more than a short-lived spike?
—Jody Phillips, Milwaukee


DEAR JODY: Not surprisingly, quite a few readers asked similar “are these prices for real” questions.

Let's first recap some bizarre examples of outrageous eBay prices being paid for records since Michael's death.

In the weeks before June 25, 2009, copies of “Thriller” were plentiful and easily available for under $10.00, not an unusual amount for any commercially successful album from the 1980s — but especially for the all-time top album, with worldwide sales over 100 million.

Value is always determined by two factors: supply and demand. Since an abundant “Thriller” supply always exceeded demand, prices remained at a minimum, on average close to the original LP sales price.

Until about 3:30 p.m. (PDT) on that Thursday, when memorabilia sellers first learned of Jackson's death.

Suddenly demand surpassed the currently posted supply, and asking prices immediately leaped into the $30 to $300 range. Hundreds sold at those prices.

Since then, prices have been all over the place, from $6.00 up to $1,500 for copies with seemingly no differences in condition, and not signed by anyone.

History, as well as common sense, suggests the thrilling “Thriller” roller coaster will soon return to the starting gate. Then, as before June 25th, 10 bucks will likely buy the LP and cover the postage.

Music collectibles can be a brilliant investment, though substantialy overpaying is a sure-fire way to negate potential earnings. If there is any wisdom in that I am unaware of it.

Here are a few other M.J. collectibles fetching big bucks in the week after his death: $9,600: Electric guitar, signed by the Jackson 5 (Michael, Jermaine, Tito, Marlon, and Jackie); $6,600: Used respirator, signed by Michael; $4,999: Framed “Artist of the Decade” signed commemorative edition (1,000 made); $4,250: “Thriller” picture disc, signed on both sides by Michael; $3,827: Electric guitar signed by Michael; $1,460: Julien's April 2009 Auction Catalog, signed by Michael.


IZ ZAT SO? Thanks to “Thriller,” Michael Jackson spent a lot of time at the podium in 1984.

On January 16, he won a record-setting eight American Music Awards: 1. Pop & Rock Male Artist. 2. Pop & Rock Album (“Thriller”). 3. Pop & Rock Single (“Billie Jean”). 4. Pop & Rock Video (“Beat It”). 5. Soul-R&B Male Artist. 6. Soul-R&B Male Album (“Thriller”). 7. Soul-R&B Video (“Beat It”). 8. Award of Merit.

The following month at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, announced February 28, 1984 for '83 releases, Jackson took home seven golden gramophones: 1. Single (“Beat It”). 2. Album (“Thriller”). 3. Pop Vocal Performance (Album), Male (“Thriller”). 4. Rock Vocal Performance (Single), Male (“Beat It”). 5. R&B Vocal Performance (Single), Male (“Billie Jean”). 6. New R&B Song (“Billie Jean”). 7. Producer (Non-Classical) Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones (“Thriller”).

An eighth Grammy for “Thriller,” for Best Engineered Recording (Non-Classical), went to Bruce Swedien.

Michael established a record high with his seven Grammy wins, surpassing the six won by Roger Miller for his 1965 output.

With 37 consecutive weeks in 1983 at No. 1, “Thriller” ranks second in this category behind “West Side Story,” with a 54 week stay at No. 1, in 1962.


Copyright 2009 Osbourne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

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Now in its 23rd year of syndication (1986-2008), Jerry Osborne's weekly Q&A feature is a godsend to record collectors and music trivia buffs. 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.

============================================

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Classic Rock Videos

Boston- More Than A Feeling

Michael Fremer Review

I am very proud to continue our new feature (look for this every Friday), music reviews that are written by the senior contributing editor of Stereophile magazine- Michael Fremer. It has been a pleasure to speak with Michael and learn more about audio sound and equipment. In fact, his new DVD, "It's A Vinyl World, After All" has hit the shelves and is selling out very quickly. This is a must have for anybody who loves vinyl, it is a true masterpiece.


Additionally, make sure to stop by his site, www.musicangle.com and bookmark it for further exploration. I certainly want to thank Michael for the exclusive rights to reprint his fantastic material.




ALBUM REVIEW:
The Ramones (reissue)
It's Alive
Sire/Audio Fidelity AFZLP2-60 2 180g LPs
Produced by: T. Erdelyi and Ed Stasium
Engineered by: Ed Stasium
Mixed by: N/A
Mastered by: Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman at AcousTech







Review by: Michael Fremer
2009-07-01


I know people who actually think that The Ramones were a “joke” band—sort of a punk version of Sha Na Na. I’m not kidding. I know people who thought The Ramones were a sloppy outfit goofing around on stage. I know people who think Joey Ramone was a screamer. But then I live in the suburbs.

If you think The Ramones were anyof those things you haven’t heard this great live album recorded in the UK at The Rainbow New Year’s Eve 1977 by Ed Stasium and produced by T. Erdelyi A/K/A Tommy Ramone.

Stasium gets a good line on Joey’s voice in the excellent mix and also zeroes in on Tommy Ramone’s rock-solid, knowingly simple drumming, particularly the dual splash cymbals—one left channel, one right— that’s his trademarked go-to accent.

Everyone sounds thrilled to be in the UK and the band’s musical connection to The Clash, minus the political accent, of course, is obvious.

Pay attention to Joey’s singing on “Blitzkrieg Rock” and note his perfect, compact phrasing, mini-vibrato used to perfection and the round tone he manages as he barks out the staccato, often repetitive lyrics. The guy never got the respect he deserved. The lineage to the great doo-woppers couldn’t be clearer.

The only problem with what’s written above is that the guitar, bass and vocals were re-recorded in the studio. Only Tommy’s drums were “live.” Oh well.

Don’t let that stop you from getting and enjoying this set of 28 great tunes, mostly taken from their first three albums. They also cover “Surfin’ Bird” and “California Sun.”

I compared this reissue to my UK Sire original mastered at Strawberry Studios (owned by 10CC’s Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman along with Peter Tattersall (road manager for Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas). They had a great lacquer cutting system there. Ironically all of the money that funded the gear upgrade that made it great came from a deal to record Kasenetz-Katz (“Yummy Yummy Yummy, etc.”) bubblegum music there using the 10CC boys playing backup!

When I interviewed the boys in the early ‘70s they referred to themselves as “three Yids and a Yod” (Stewart was the Yod—the only non-Jew in the group). Later I suggested Gouldman (who wrote “Bus Stop” and many other hits for The Hollies, The Yardbirds, etc.) to write the songs for “Animalympics” the animated film I co-wrote and did voices on. You can find in YouTube by the way!

Anyway, the original UK pressing is more distant, somewhat finer textured and definitely weaker in the bass, but it sounds like what you might hear live, whereas this reissue is more like what you’d hear in the studio. Given that this wasessentially a studio recording, I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that the reissue is closer to the tape, while the original was “doctored” to sound live! Or maybe not!

Whatever. This is a great “live” album from one of the great punk bands of the ‘70s. So much fun. So long ago!

SOURCE: http://www.musicangle.com Reprinted By Permission

Music News & Notes

Marduk Reveals New Album, "Wormwood," Cover Art

The cover art for "Wormwood," the upcoming full-length from Swedish black metallers MARDUK has been unveiled. Check it out at this location.

In related news, MARDUK will land on US soil later this summer for three very special dates with Withered and Black Anvil. Said guitarist Morgan Håkansson, “We are excited to finally be over in the states and do these shows after all the problems with the visas. The three shows in August are just the start. We are preparing for a full tour in the winter that will cover all the areas we missed on Blackenedfest. Please join us as we raise the Banner Of The Wolf!”

MARDUK confirmed dates are as follows:

8/12/2009 Sonar - Baltimore, MD
8/13/2009 Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA
8/15/2009 Gramercy Threatre - New York, NY also w/Tombs


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LITA FORD: 'Wicked Wonderland' European Release Date Confirmed

'80s hard rock queen Lita Ford will release her first new studio album in 14 years, "Wicked Wonderland", in Europe on October 2 via earMUSIC/Edel. The CD will be issued in the U.S. on Lita's own JLRG Entertainment label.

"It's harder and sexier than anything I've ever done," says Lita of the record, which was co-produced by Ford, her husband and former NITRO singer Jim Gillette, and Greg Hampton, the songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer known for his work with ALICE COOPER, his band SCIENCE FAXTION (with Bootsy Collins and Buckethead and Brain from GUNS N' ROSES) and other rock notables. Lita is backed on the record by drummer Stet Howland, formerly of W.A.S.P., Hampton on bass, rhythm guitar and keyboards, Gillette on background vocals, and its vivid cover art is by ROB ZOMBIE bassist and solo artist Piggy D.

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Video: Death Cab for Cutie: "Little Bribes"

The new Death Cab for Cutie video doubles as a feel-good, triumph-of-the-little-guy tale. Director Ross Ching was simply a longtime fan of the band when he made the clip for "Little Bribes", a track off Death Cab's recent Open Door EP.

Death Cab for Cutie - Little Bribes from Ross Ching on Vimeo.

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Whitney Houston New Album Cover


Here is the Whitney Houston new album cover. Whitney Houston I Look To You album cover has been unveiled.

The new album was revealed via nine tracks to the media during a listening event on July 14, 2009 in London at with legendary music industry mogul Clive Davis, who originally discovered Whitney Houston in the 1980s. The event took place at Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge, London, England.

After releasing her self-titled debut album 1985 which became best-selling debut album in music history by a female artist, Whitney Houston went on to have seven consecutive multi-platinum selling albums, more than any other artist in history. She had total album and single sales of more than 190 million worldwide.

Whitney Houston is quoted by Billboard as saying she was about to retire.

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Ace Frehley: Ready for Solo LP “Anomaly,” But Not a Kiss Reunion

Kiss‘ original guitarist, Ace Frehley, has primarily focused on playing live shows since he left the band in 2002, though no new studio material has surfaced. But that’s soon about to change. September 15th will see the release of Ace’s first solo album in nearly 20 years, Anomaly, via his own label, Bronx Born Records. Produced almost entirely by Frehley, the album shows why many rock and metal guitarists list “Space Ace” as a prime six-string influence, as evidenced by the epic “Genghis Khan” and a kick ass cover of Sweet’s “Fox on the Run.” Frehley recently sat down with Rolling Stone to discuss the new album, his ex-bandmates and kicking booze once and for all.

KISS Reunion?

"I’m having so much fun with this new album. It’s not something I think about at all anymore. The reunion tour was supposed to be it — that’s what they told me when they asked me to do it. But then they go, “Now we want to do a farewell tour.” I said, “OK, I’ll do a farewell tour.” It ended in Australia, and then I get a phone call when I come back, “Now we want to do something else.” Then Gene is on my answering machine, “Ace, we’re going to go out. If you don’t want to do it, we’re going to use another guitar player.” What is that, a threat? I didn’t even answer the phone [laughs]. That was that."

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Legend By Bob Marley Sets Record


The Bob Marley and the Wailers' compilation album Legend was released 25 years ago to little fanfare.

However, Legend has sold more copies since 1991 than any other album from the ‘60s, ‘70s or ‘80s. It ranks ahead of such perennial hits as Pink Floyd's The Dark Side Of The Moon (which has sold 8,727,000 copies since 1991), James Taylor's Greatest Hits (6,741,000) and Jimmy Buffett's Songs You Know By Heart (6,311,000).

Legend has been #1 on Nielsen/SoundScan's weekly Catalog Albums chart 110 times since 1991, more than twice as long as any other album. It led the chart most recently just two months ago.

The collection has sold more than 250,000 copies a year every year since at least 1992. And this streak is sure to continue: The album has already sold 198,000 copies so far in 2009.

Nielsen/SoundScan's official sales tally for Legend this week climbs to 10,020,000. This doesn't count 271,000 copies of a deluxe edition that was released in 2002. It also, of course, doesn't count copies of the regular edition that were sold between 1984 and 1991.

One may ask why, but if you hear the album, you will know why this LP will continue to sell long after we are gone.....

bob marley - no woman no cry

This Date In Music History- July 17

Birthdays:

Stan Brostein - Elephant's Memory (1938)

Spencer Davis - Spencer Davis Group (1939)

Wolfgang Flur – Kraftwerk (1947)

Geezer Butler - Black Sabbath (1949)

Jon Wetton – Asia, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep (1949)

Mike Vale - Tommy James and the Shondells (1949)

Phoebe Snow (1952)

Chet McCracKen - Doobie Brothers (1952)

Regina Belle - US singer (1963)

Lou Barlow - Dinosaur Jr, (1966)

Gale Garnett ("We'll Sing In The Sunshine") turns 67.


They Are Missed:

In 1996, Chas Chandler died (age 57) at Newcastle General Hospital, England, where he was undergoing tests related to an aortic aneurysm. He had been the bass player with The Animals and manager of Slade, Nick Drake and Jimi Hendrix.

Born on this day in 1949, Mick Tucker, Sweet (died February 14, 2002)

Born on this day in 1948, Ron Asheton, Iggy Pop And The Stooges (died January 6, 2009).

The late Nicolette Larson ("Lotta Love") was born in 1952.

Jamaican musician Laurel Aitken died in 2005. Dubbed as “the Godfather of Ska,” his 1958 “Boogie In My Bones” became the first release on the Island Record label and was #1 on the Jamaican charts for 11 weeks.

Danny Cedrone, the session guitarist who played the solo on "Rock Around The Clock,” died in 1954 after a fall in a Philadelphia restaurant without ever enjoying the song's success.

In 1959, Billie Holiday died in a New York City hospital from cirrhosis of the liver after years of alcohol abuse, aged 43. In the final years of her life, she had been progressively swindled out of her earnings, and she died with $0.70 in the bank.

American jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane died from liver cancer at Huntington Hospital in Long Island, New York, in 1967 (age 40).


History:

The first Newport Jazz Festival was held at the Newport Casino, in Newport, RI in 1954.

In 1961, Motown Records released The Supremes' first single, "Buttered Popcorn."

The Miracles' "Tracks of My Tears" was released in 1965.

James Brown's "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" entered the pop and R&B charts in 1965. It would hit #8 on the pop and #1 on the R&B charts.

The Byrds' LP "Mr. Tambourine Man" entered the charts in 1965
.
The Beatles single “All You Need Is Love” / “Baby You’re A Rich Man” (originally called ‘One Of The Beautiful People’) was released in the US in 1967. It became The Beatles 14th US #1.

The Beatles' "Yellow Submarine" film premiered in London in 1968.

No one was hurt when a bomb exploded under a Rolling Stones concert equipment truck in Montreal in 1972.

The Moody Blues opened the first quadraphonic studio in London in 1974.

In 1975, Bob Marley and the Wailers played the first of two nights at The Lyceum, London, and both nights were recorded for the November released 'live' album, featuring the single “No Woman No Cry.”

Heart's "Magic Man" was released in 1976.



The first Lollapalooza Tour was launched Phoenix in 1991. The Alt. Rock trek, conceived by Perry Farrell, frontman for Jane’s Addiction, features Farrell’s band, Living Colour, Nine Inch Nails and Siouxsie & The Banshees.

In 1994, in Pontiac, Michigan, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley made a surprise appearance at a Kiss convention. But while browsing the stalls, they discovered Kiss costumes stolen from them more than a decade ago.

In 1996, the Smashing Pumpkins fired Jimmy Chamberlin less than a week after Chamberlin was arrested on a drug charge and Jonathan Melvoin died of a heroin overdose.

Singer-songwriter James Blunt tops the U.K. singles and album chart in 2005 with "You're Beautiful" and Back to Bedlam respectively.

Classic Rock Videos

The Cars - Hello Again (Live In Houston 1984)

Songs of Summer- part two

Written By Robert Benson


As we continue our look at songs with the word ‘summer’ or ‘summer time’ in the title, let’s explore some timeless classics.

In 1958, nineteen year-old Eddie Cochran recorded a song that he and his manager Jerry Capehart penned about the trials and tribulations of teenage life in America. Initially recorded as a B side, the cut "Summertime Blues" peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 29, 1958.

Capehart explained the inspiration for this song in Rolling Stone magazine's Top 500 songs issue: "There had been a lot of songs about summer, but none about the hardships of summer." So with that idea and a seminal guitar lick from Cochran, the two were able to write the song in 45 minutes. This was supposed to be the B-side of the ballad "Love Again," a song that was written by 17-year-old Sharon Sheeley, who eventually became Cochran's girlfriend. She was also in the car crash that led to his untimely death in April of 1960.

The handclapping was performed by Sharon Sheeley, who apparently had trouble getting the rhythm, so Cochran helped her out by showing her how to clap. The deep vocals at the end of each verse were done by Cochran. Part of the lyrics addressed the controversy surrounding the voting age, which at the time was 21, and the song became very popular among his teenage fans who could relate to the lyrics about being held back by society (and parents).



Sadly, while on tour in the UK, 21-year-old Cochran died in a traffic accident in a taxi which crashed into a lamp post. Songwriter Sharon Sheeley (she and Cochran were reported as being "unofficially engaged") and singer Gene Vincent survived the crash, Vincent sustaining such severe injuries that would shorten his career and affect him for the rest of his life. Following the accident Sheeley returned to the United States, where she collaborated with musician/songwriter, Jackie DeShannon on a string of hits. She died on May 17, 2002 at the age of 62.

The song helped define Cochran's career, but there is much more to the story. His influence on music is very profound and sometimes understated. Eddie was largely credited for introducing rock ‘n' roll to the Beatles. In fact, George Harrison and John Lennon were both motivated and moved after attending Eddie's concerts in England before the Beatles formed. Cochran was a prolific performer and unfortunately more of his music has been released posthumously than had been released during his life. His pioneering contribution to the genre of rockabilly has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Countless other musicians loved the cut and the song has been covered by an array of superstar musicians, including Buddy Holly, who tore through the song on his tour of England in 1958. Some say that early rock and roll in the UK was influenced more by Holly and Cochran than the music of Elvis Presley, who never set foot on UK ground.

Let’s look at others who have covered this groundbreaking single. In 1968, the band Blue Cheer covered the song for their LP Vincebus Eruptum. Their version omits all of the response lyrics heard in Cochran's version in favor of instrumental responses by each member of the band and the cut peaked at #14 on the Billboard Top 40 and spent an impressive 13 weeks on the charts. A follow-up single barely topped the Top 100, making Blue Cheer's version their only true American hit single. However, their version was featured as one of the first heavy metal recordings in the 2005 documentary Metal: A Headbanger's Journey.



"Summertime Blues" was also recorded by the Who, although their version was done in a more aggressive (and louder) style than the original. They peaked at #27 on the Billboard charts in 1970 and the cut was a staple in concerts from 1967-1976, however they have not played the song since the death of John Entwistle. Their version of the song featured John Entwistle singing the vocal parts of the boss, the father, and the congressman in his trademark baritone growl, in addition to playing the bass guitar and doubling Roger Daltrey's lead vocal on the verses in his normal register.



Others who have covered this iconic song include Country star Alan Jackson, who recorded it on his 1994 album “Who I Am.” Alan Jackson's version reached #1 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. When Canadian-rockers Rush perform the song in concert, the crowd sings the lines "No dice son, you gotta work late," "You can't use the car 'cause you didn't work a lick," and "I'd like to help you son, but you're too young to vote." Other acts who have recorded a cover version include the Beach Boys, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Bobby Fuller, Clash, George Thorogood, Guess Who, Ventures, Black Keys, Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Van Halen, Humble Pie, T. Rex, White Stripes; why even soft-pop songstress Olivia Newton-John, just to name a few. Jimi Hendrix used to perform "Summertime Blues" early in his career as well.

In March 2005, Q magazine placed it at #77 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks and the song is ranked #73 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It’s also in the Grammy Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Not bad for a B side.

Part of the British invasion, Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde (as the folk-singing duo Chad and Jeremy), hit #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964 with the cut "A Summer Song." The melody bears some resemblance to Buddy Holly's "Words of Love," which was covered by The Beatles the same year. Chad and Jeremy had seven U.S. Top 40 hits during 1964-66.

Some may remember the duo from their many TV appearances in the mid 1960s. Chad and Jeremy appeared as themselves in the episodes of the television series Batman, played a fictional duo called 'The Redcoats' on an episode of the TV sitcom Dick Van Dyke Show that satirized Beatlemania and they also had a guest appearance on the Patty Duke Show. Additionally, Stuart (Chad) voiced Flaps the vulture in Disney's 1967 film The Jungle Book. Clyde (Jeremy) appeared as a bachelor contestant on the The Dating Game, where he won. In 2003, PBS reunited Chad and Jeremy with a 1960s Pop Reunion Special which also prompted a tour. They also performed at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah in January 2009 and are still actively touring.

In 1984 Don Henley reached # 5 on the Billboard charts with the summer cut "The Boys of Summer." It was the lead track and first single from Henley's album “Building the Perfect Beast.” The song was written by Henley and Mike Campbell (guitarist and record producer, best known for his work with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers). In fact, Campbell offered it to Petty, but he turned it down and the song went to Henley, who wrote the lyrics (Campbell also played guitar and produced the cut). The title comes from a baseball book by Roger Kahn called “Boys Of Summer,” which is about The Brooklyn Dodgers, who broke the hearts of their fans when they moved to Los Angeles.

According to Campbell: "I used to have a 4-track machine in my house and I had just gotten a drum machine - it's when the Roger Linn drum machine first came out. I was playing around with that and came up with a rhythm. I made the demo on my little 4-track and I showed it to Tom, but at the time, the record we were working on, Southern Accents, it didn't really sound like anything that would fit into the album. The producer we were working with at the time, Jimmy Iovine, called me up one day and said he had spoken with Don, who I'd never met, and said that he was looking for songs. He gave me his number and I called him up and played it for him and he called me the next day and said he put it on in his car and had written these words and wanted to record it. That's kind of how it started.”

The opening lyrics ("Nobody on the roads, nobody on the beach") may be in reference to the California coast as summer turns into fall. It becomes a much quieter place when the weather gets cold. Lyrically, the song appears to be about the passing of youth and entering middle age, with the obvious theme of 'summer love' apparent in the choruses, and of reminiscence of a past relationship. In a 1987 interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, Henley explained that the song "is more about aging and questioning the past," a recurring theme in Henley's lyrics.

The song's most famous lyric: "Out on the road today I saw a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac" is rumored to be inspired by Henley- who saw Joe Walsh driving a Cadillac Hearse with a Grateful Dead sticker on it while on Sunset Boulevard. Henley was well-known to be a rabid fan of the psychedelic icons, and was often seen backstage hanging out with Jerry Garcia and other band members.

The music video for the song was a French New Wave-influenced piece directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino and shot in black-and-white. It depicts the main character of the song at three different stages of life (as a young boy, a young adult and middle-aged), in each case reminiscing about the past relationship. This is shown during the line "A little voice inside my head said don't look back, you can never look back" at which point, each of the three people look back in turn.

The song was also a hit in the United Kingdom, reaching #12 on the UK Singles Chart. A re-release of the single in 1998 also reached #12. Hardcore college radio darlings Codeseven did a cover of the song and in 2003, the rock band The Ataris covered "The Boys of Summer" for their album "So Long, Astoria." DJ Sammy (with vocals performed by Loona) covered the song in 2002. Henley won the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for the song. "The Boys of Summer" was ranked #416 on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.


Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music, vinyl record collecting and operates www.collectingvinylrecords.com, where you can pick up a copy of his ebook called
"The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting." Have your vinyl records appraised at www.vinylrecordapprasials.com

Music News & Notes

Reverend Horton Heat adds dates behind first new album in five years

Psychobilly mainstays Reverend Horton Heat have expanded their current schedule through the end of 2009 as they look forward to their first new studio album in five years.

The trio, currently on a West Coast headlining leg, continues the outing tonight (7/15) in Missoula, MT. In late August, the group will head out in a support role with Motorhead on the iconic British speed-metal band's forthcoming North American tour, which kicks off Aug. 28 in Minneapolis.
The remainder of the itinerary shows a mixed bag of Motorhead support dates and headlining shows through the end of December, when the band will close out the year Dec. 30-31 with two shows at Anaheim, CA's House of Blues.

"Laughin' and Cryin' with the Reverend Horton Heat," due Sept. 1 on Yep Roc Records, is the band's first new album since 2004's "Revival."

"I really wanted to capture the feelings of recordings of the late '50s, early '60s," guitarist/vocalist Jim Heath said in a press statement, noting that the new album swings more toward the "billy" side of the "rockabilly" equation this time out.

Some fo the shows:
15 - Missoula, MT - Wilma Theater
16 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory
17 - Salt Lake City, UT - Depot
18 - Billings, MT - Babcock Theater
20 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
21 - Madison, WI - The Majestic
22 - Milwaukee, WI - Miramar Theatre
23 - Sauget, IL - Pop's
24 - Kansas City, MO - Crossroads
25 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theatre

August 2009
21 - Bloomington, IL - Cefu Stage
22 - Rock Island, IL - Rock Island
23 - Waterloo, IA - Reverb
24 - Sioux Falls, SD - Nutty's
25 - Fargo, ND - The Venue
27 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown

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Lynam re-releases album 'Tragic City Symphony' with a new track

Alabama's Lynam, formed in 2001, has just signed a deal with Mascot / Megaforce Records.

Their most recent release, Tragic City Symphony, will be re-released on the new label. Due out in August, the newly improved Tragic City Symphony will contain an additional song - "Get Me Off."

Produced by Jason Elgin (Collective Soul, Maylene And The Sons of Disaster), the album also features guest spots by the band Hinder and Cinderella's Tom Keifer.

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TEENA MARIE releases new album ‘Congo Square.’

Soul songbird Teena Marie has released her 13th studio album, titled “Congo Square.” The disc was inspired by the historic New Orleans site of the same name situated just north of the French Quarter, and by the music played there that inspired some of the her favorite music legends.

According to history, in the early 1700s, Congo Square was a place where slaves were commonly allowed to gather on Sundays and they would set up markets, sing, dance, and play music.

Interestingly, just as the singer was putting the finishing touches on the new disc, she found out that her family is actually from that very area. In fact, it was revealed that her great grandmother was married in the church right next to Congo Square.

“So it is about family, and it is about roots,” Marie said of the new disc. “It is about the fact that you can be called from where you’ve been in your life and tied to that bond.”

Marie’s soulful voice has always been one of debate. She told EUR’s Lee Bailey that she’s often heard folks say, ‘No white woman can sing like that.’ The singer was quoted in Essence Magazine as calling herself “a black artists in white skin.” She explained that she’s always felt black music and that’s why she considers herself a “black artist.”

“Congo Square” has 16 tracks, 14 songs and two snippets: one, a piece for President Obama called “Black Cool.”

“It’s really just 14 songs, but it’s still a lot of music,” Marie said. “I had a lot to say and I wanted to have it like gumbo – I wanted to embrace everything that I loved.”

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Sir Paul Surprises NYC

Paul McCartney played a surprise mini-concert for thousands of New Yorkers in midtown Manhattan yesterday from the top of the marquee of the Ed Sullivan Theater, where he was taping a performance for Late Show With David Letterman. News of the event spread via Twitter and word of mouth, and nearby street corners were closed off to accommodate fans for the 5:30 p.m. set that recalled the Beatles’ famed Savile Row rooftop gig, when the Fab Four played atop the former building that housed Apple studios. In 1964, the Beatles made their U.S. television debut on The Ed Sullivan Show in the same studio Letterman now inhabits.

McCartney, in town to inaugurate the Mets’ new home at Citi Field with three concerts beginning tomorrow, played the Beatles “Get Back” and “Sing the Changes” off his latest CD Electric Arguments for the broadcast, which aired last night.



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KORN Solo Effort

Korn frontman Jonathan Davis has inked a deal with Warner Music to release his debut solo album, due out either later this year or early 2010, Blabbermouth reports. Davis is also reportedly working on Korn’s ninth studio album, also expected out in 2010.

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Bee Gee's Tribute

The Bee Gees’ Barry and Robin Gibb have curated a new four-disc collection dedicated to the band’s legacy called Mythology. Each disc of the boxed set is dedicated to the highlights of each Gibb brother including Andy, who was not a member of the group. Additionally, the group will release the greatest hits comp Ultimate Bee Gees: The 50 Anniversary Collection. Both sets are out November 3rd.

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More Restocks: Vinyl Collective

ANDREW BIRD “Armchair Apocrypha” LP
BELLRAYS “The Red, White And Black” LP
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE “Something About Airplanes” LP re-issue
DEVENDRA BANHART ìNino Rojo / Rejoicingî 2xLP
GRANDADDY / POLYPHONIC SPREE split 7″
HEARTLESS BASTARDS “Mountain” LP
JAWBREAKER – Dear You 2xLP
KYLESA “Static Tensions” LP
PEEPING TOM ìS/Tî LP
RAMONES “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” 7″
SONIC YOUTH ìDaydream Nationî 4xLP
SONIC YOUTH ìRather Rippedî LP
SONIC YOUTH ìS/Tî dbl LP

Vinyl Collective.com

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It's Almost Sad To See

Where were they when is was alive?


More than nine million albums by – or featuring – Michael Jackson have been sold around the world since his death three weeks ago, a US media report has claimed.

The surge in demand for Jackson's music comes from fans looking to relive their idol and – in many cases – people who missed out on the star when he was alive.

Jackson, who died on June 25 of a suspected cardiac arrest, is continuing to dominate sales charts around the world.

In the US the singer currently holds the top-12 positions on the Billboard pop catalogue chart, with sales of his music jumping 37% last week alone.

A spike in sales is not uncommon in the wake of a musician's death, but few forecasters had predicted such a steep climb in Jackson's case.

The report in the Los Angeles Times said Jackson's record label, Sony, declined to comment on the total sales count, but did not dispute the figure of nine million

Mr. Music ~ Jerry Osborne

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 JULY 6, 2009


DEAR JERRY: As a University of California Davis student during the Summer of Love (1967), I heard a lot of San Francisco-based singers and groups.

Sometimes, after being inundated with Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, and the Doors, I would switch over to a Sacramento C&W station (KRAK) for some variety. I may have been the only student hip to current hits by both Jim Reeves and Jim Morrison.

KRAK played a song then by Sonny James in which he mentions their station, along with something about Sacramento's history, such as the gold rush and the Mother Lode.

Would it be correct to assume this recording existed only as a tape recording? I doubt they would make a record that couldn't be played on any other station.

Might you know the title, and if this tune is on any of Sonny's albums?
—Tony Palmieri, Milwaukee


DEAR TONY: You're in luck. I also spent the summer of '67 in both San Francisco and Stockton, well inside KRAK's 50,000 watt coverage area.

Like you, I heard this song at that time and it immediately piqued my curiosity.

Fortunately, I knew one of the dee jays (KRAKer Jacks) and he gave me the inside scoop, then sent me a copy. Titled “Salute to KRAK,” written by Sonny James and Carol Smith, half of it honors Sacramento's past and present, and half salutes KRAK radio, northern California's “Country Giant.”

With Sonny James being a Capitol megastar, having 23 No. 1 hits including 16 consecutive, Capitol would be the one to press the records. Also, record companies are always anxious to please broadcasters.

Under their Capitol Custom imprint (WB 2535/2536), they made a few thousand copies and sent them to KRAK for use as giveaways.

You could even say they went directly from Capitol to capitol, bypassing the capital. (I've always wanted to use all three of those words in one sentence.)

This provided them with a quality recording, one that not only extols the station and city but holds its own with other mid-'60s hits.

KRAK played it often at the time, but not to a point of being too self-serving. Most of the records went to listeners via various promotions and contests.

I am not aware of any Sonny James LP or CD containing the atypical “Salute to KRAK.”

This KRAK track is scarce but not especially pricey, usually in the $15 to $25 range.


DEAR JERRY: Neither of us watched much late-night TV, but my husband says he once saw Johnny Carson singing.

Whether on his own talk show or elsewhere, he does not recall.

I know he chatted for a living, but I don't recall ever seeing him sing. Could he? Can you either confirm or refute hubby's claim?
—Marianne Dunlap, San Jose, Calif.


DEAR MARIANNE: Hubby is right. Maybe you retired early that night.

Johnny made his fame and fortune talking, frequently introducing stars whose primary craft was singing. Yet, on rare occasions, he did join some very famous singers with a song.

Carson more than held his own vocally, as we know from his in-tune performances with Dean Martin; Frank Sinatra; Sammy Davis Jr.; and non-rat Pearl Bailey, just to name a few.

Not only did he sing on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” he also sang a bit on stage with stars whose concerts he emceed, but always at their invitation.

IZ ZAT SO? Though “Salute to KRAK” is still affordable, there are two other Capitol Custom records with prices in the $750 to $1,000 range:

1. “Spirit of America” backed with “Boogie Woodie” by the Beach Boys (Capitol Custom 50367/50368). The paper sleeve for this item explains its purpose: “I Was There KFWB Day! Wallichs Music City South Bay Store Opening Nov. 16, 1963.”

Merely for showing up at the event, many took home a tremendous souvenir.

2. “Music City KFWBeatles - The Beatles Talking” backed with “You Can't Do That” (Capitol Custom RB-2637/2638). This June 1964 issue also promoted Wallichs Music City record stores and KFWB radio.

The close relationship between Capitol and Wallichs Music City was because Clyde Wallichs, owner of the music stores, was the brother of Capitol Records co-founder, Glenn Wallichs.

KFWB landed a geographic connection, with their 6419 Hollywood Boulevard studio just a two-minute walk to either the Capitol Tower or Wallichs Music City.

Copyright 2009 Osbourne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

Michael Jackson Thriller on Vinyl LP Record

Michael Jackson's album Thriller was his sixth studio album. It has sold over 100 million copies. It was released on November 30, 1982 on the Epic Records label, a division of Columbia records. There were 7 top ten singles and it won 8 grammy awards. It was 1 of 3 albums to stay on the top 10 for over a year.

It featured guests like Paul McCartney on their duet The Girl Is Mine, Eddie Van Halen doing a guitar solo on Beat It, Vincent Price doing a voice over on Thriller and his sisters Janet & Latoya singing backup on PYT (pretty young thing)

The original vinyl jacket had a gatefold cover with a picture of Michael laying down on the front and inside with a baby Tiger. The inner vinyl sleeve was white with a drawing of Michael & Paul struggling with a girl like she is a wishbone on one side. The other side had a drawing of a couple watching TV while monsters like Frankenstein and others were all around them.

In 2001, the album was re-released titled Thriller: Special Edition and in 2008, a deluxe 25th anniversary version was released with extra tracks.

1.I Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
2.Baby Be Mine
3.The Girl Is Mine with Paul McCartney
4.Thriller
5.Beat It (single version) with Eddie Van Halen on guitar
6.Billie Jean (single version
7.Human Nature
8.P.Y.T. (pretty young thing)
9.The Lady In My Life
10.Vincent price exerpt
11.The Girl is Mine 2008 with willi.i.am
12.P.Y.T. 2008
13.Wanna Be Startin' Something 2008
14.Beat It 2008 with Fergie
15.Billie Jean 2008 with Kanye West
16.For All Time (unreleased track from the original Thriller sessions
17.Got the Hots (released only in Japan

After Michael Jackson's death Thriller set additional records. Songs from Thriller also helped Jackson to become the first act to sell over 1 million song downloads in a week.

Buy Thriller Here

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Vinyl's uptick is evident in sales of old and new records

By Brett Johnson


Almost a decade into the 21st century, Scott Freeman plunked down his money at the Record Outlet register in Thousand Oaks and walked out clutching two pieces of prized, ancient booty.

It was as if the Simi Valley teen had stepped into a time warp. There in his hands were Harry Chapin’s 1974 album “Verities & Balderdash” and a Pink Floyd “Echoes” compilation album, both on vinyl. There wasn’t a cell phone, MP3 player or computer anywhere in sight.

“It’s better than digital stuff,” said the 18-year-old Freeman, who is studying film at Moorpark College. “It’s not as compressed. It’s better quality. Sure, you are sacrificing portability and convenience, but on vinyl, there’s also more of a connection to the artist. ... It’s something we never grew up with; it’s something new for us.”

Vinyl, that retro darling from a few years ago, is still riding the surge, remaining popular with everyone from young people to high-end audiophiles willing to pay $300 to $800 for a pristine-sounding record. Vinyl shipments more than doubled from about $23 million in 2007 to almost $57 million last year, its highest level since 1990, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.

Market players have noticed. Internet retail giant Amazon.com has had a vinyl-only music section since fall 2007. Now, when huge acts such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen or the Dave Matthews Band release new material, it also comes out on vinyl.

Read the rest of the article here:

Vinyl Is Groovy Again

More Music News

New Jim O'Rourke Album, Visitor, Releases August 31 on Drag City

A disco ball melting into a kitchen chair seems appropriate enough cover art for the eclectic Jim O’Rourke’s new album, set to release on August 31. He is also a guitarist, mixer, experimentalist and producer, but this Drag City release will spotlight his songwriting. It is his first release on the label since 2001, when he released I’m Happy, And I’m Singing, And a 1,2,3,4. The new album is entitled Visitor, and is more of the instrumental vein according to the label. It consists of a single track.

O’Rourke was a bassist and guitarist for Sonic Youth, and he also helped with Wilco’s legendary Yankee Foxtrot Hotel. He has worked with Thurston Moore, Joanna Newsom, Smog, Beth Orton, Merzbow and Fennesz. He recorded Visitor from Tokyo, where he lives.


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Vinyl Collective Update

THE FLAMING TSUNAMIS “Zombies Vs Robots” LP


THE FLAMING TSUNAMIS “Zombies Vs Robots” LP green/grey vinyl

THE FLAMING TSUNAMIS “Zombies Vs Robots” LP collector’s edition green/grey vinyl

Asbestos just sent us a box of records including some Two Cow/Jr Jugg under the influence 7″s which were accidentally shipped to him. In that box are records from The Flaming Tsunamis who I here were Connecticut’s ska-core kings. This is a vinyl re-issue of “Zombies vs Robots” and you can either get the green/grey vinyl (pictured) which is out of an edition of 300 copies or you can purchase the collector’s edition which has 1 record on green, 1 record on grey and there are 2 different silk-screeened covers (one of a zombie, one of a robot). Flood tells me that we are the only retailers selling these sets and we have 7 sets coming. Check em out. We should have vinyl by mid week next week.

Buy awesomw vinyl at Vinyl Collective.com




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Great Marketing Plan, I Say Boycott EMI

EMI Spurns Independent Record Stores

The music giant EMI is attempting to solve its financial difficulties by, um, selling its product to fewer places. Independent record stores have received calls from EMI, whose website lists Darius Rucker as a "Breakthrough Artist," telling them that if they want to stock EMI merchandise they will have to turn to third parties. This added expense will keep EMI albums off more shelves at indie outlets, which tend to cater to fans fetishistic enough to actually want to purchase a physical object that contains music.

This counterintuitive move may make sense to those more familiar with the distribution costs of global companies, but it doubles down on the industry's already failing strategy of dictating buying habits and taste to consumers who are willing and able to find their own way.

Yeah, this will work......

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Kyp Malone Prepares Solo Album

If you listened to TV on the Radio's latest, "Dear Science," it certainly seemed like guitarist Kyp Malone's voice was in the forefront of that album's tracks a lot more than he was for "Return to Cookie Mountain." It looks like Malone's not done singing lead because in the fall he'll be releasing the self-titled debut album for his solo project, "Rain Machine." So far, he's basically just working with awesome album art, but any album whose cover bears women with flaming lion vaginas is usually worth at least a quick listen.

Rain Machine is out on Anti- Sept. 22. Here's the album art.





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iTunes goes retro with digital 45s

As a throwback to the old days of the two-song 45 rpm vinyl record, the iTunes Store launched a new “D45” section yesterday, featuring discounted prices on packs of two digital song downloads.

Just like old 45s, the iTunes D45 selection includes a popular single accompanied by a B-side song. Prices on the D45s range from $1.49 to $1.99.

“iTunes is bringing this concept to a new age with D45s – two great tracks at an equally great price,” the iTunes Store reads.

Music company EMI announced Tuesday that the release of D45s marks the 60th anniversary of the 45 single record.

The digital bundles will be sold exclusively by iTunes through July 27. After that, they will be available for purchase from “all major digital service providers.”

“More than 35 digital singles will launch the campaign,” the EMI press release states, “including original 45 single A-sides and B-sides and top hits by Coldplay, David Bowie, R.E.M., Poison, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dean Martin, Duran Duran, Nat King Cole, Blondie, and Billy Idol, among others.”

The D45 section represents another opportunity for record labels to to restructure pricing on music sold on the iTunes Store. Last year, through negotiations, the record companies leveraged flexibility on pricing.

Then, earlier this year, Apple removed restrictive digital rights management fingerprints from all of the songs it sells, allowing consumers greater flexibility as well.

" Just like the old 45's" One thing, IT"S NOT A 45RPM RECORD- DON'T MARKET IT AS BEING ONE, Here are some 45 RPM records.......Duh !