Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Slim Harpo February 11, 1924 – January 31, 1970

Welcome Home Hag

Merlehaggard

Country music legend Merle Haggard has returned home to northern California to recuperate from multiple illnesses.

Haggard had been hospitalized in Macon, Ga., for about a week with double pneumonia. While there, doctors discovered three stomach ulcers and eight polyps in his colon.
The “Okie from Muskogee” singer, 74, earlier tried to check himself out of the hospital to return to Redding, Calif., by tour bus. But he returned a few hours later. MORE HERE

The Jack White Interruption

Jackwhite

Jack White has unveiled his new solo single 'Love Interruption' online - scroll down and click below to hear it.
The ex-White Stripes man is releasing the track as a 7" single next Tuesday (February 7), ahead of the release of his debut solo album 'Blunderbuss' on April 23.
Produced by White at his own Third Man Studio in Nashville, the single comes backed with non-album B-side 'Machine Gun Silhouette' – it's available for pre-order from JackWhiteIII.com and Thirdmanrecords.com.

Love Interruption...

Global Jukebox Reality

Lomax

The folklorist and ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax was a prodigious collector of traditional music from all over the world. Long before the Internet existed, he envisioned a “global jukebox” to disseminate and analyze the material he had gathered during decades of fieldwork.

A decade after his death technology has finally caught up to Lomax’s imagination. Just as he dreamed, his vast archive — some 5,000 hours of sound recordings, 400,000 feet of film, 3,000 videotapes, 5,000 photographs and piles of manuscripts is being digitized so that the collection can be accessed online. About 17,000 music tracks will be available for free streaming by the end of February, and later some of that music may be for sale as CDs or digital downloads.MORE HERE

Many Music Tracks Available HERE

The Boss is Back

"We Take Care of Our Own" is the first of the nine brand new songs from Wrecking Ball to get officially released. The album is out March 6, 2012. MORE HERE

Monday, January 30, 2012

Lightnin' Hopkins March 15, 1912 – January 30, 1982

Steve Marriott 30 January 1947 – 20 April 1991

The Beatles Rooftop Rock


1031_beatles1


January 30, 1969, The Beatles played their lunchtime rooftop gig on top of the Apple building on Savile Row in London. Lasting for just over 40 minutes it was the last time The Beatles performed live.

Kristofferson '72

January 30, 1972, Grammy voters shower Kris Kristofferson with five nominations as a songwriter for three songs: "Help Me Make It Through The Night," "Me And Bobby McGee" and "For The Good Times." Four artists are also nominated for performances of Kristofferson tunes.

Abba Abba Hey!

Abba

For the first time in 18 years, Abba is releasing a new song. The Swedish pop group will release the previously unheard track, 'From a Twinkling Star to a Passing Angel', recorded in 1981.

The song will be included on the forthcoming reissue of The Visitors, due on April 23, 2012. MORE HERE

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Willie Dixon July 1, 1915 – January 29, 1992

Willie Dixon wrote the classic songs: ‘You Shook Me’, I Can’t Quit You Baby’, ‘Hoochie Coochie Man’, ‘I Just Want to Make Love to You’, ‘Little Red Rooster.’ Dixon was a major influence on The Rolling Stones, Cream, Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin.

Instrumental Mac



January 29, 1969, Fleetwood Mac had their only UK No.1 single with the instrumental 'Albatross.'

Goodtimes with Glen Campbell

January 29, 1969, "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour" debuts on CBS. Guests for the first episode: Bobbie Gentry, "Gentle On My Mind" songwriter John Hartford, The Smothers Brothers and comedian Pat Paulsen.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Pigs and Sheep and Floyd...Oh, My!

January 28, 1977, Pink Floyd's tenth studio album 'Animals' entered the UK charts at #2. The sleeve concept was that of Roger Waters, who lived at the time near Clapham Common, and regularly drove past Battersea Power Station. A view of the imposing but disused former power station building was chosen for the cover image, complete with massive inflatable pig suspended between two of the towers.

Here's Pigs On The Wing (Part Two)...

The Moody Blues' Only One


Moody-blues-go-now-record-sleeve


January 28, 1965, The Moody Blues were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Go Now!' the group's only UK No.1.

Presley Premier

January 28, 1956, Elvis Presley (with Scotty Moore and Bill Black), made his first National Television appearance on the Dorsey brother's "Stage Show". It was the first of six appearances on the show and the first of eight performances recorded and broadcast from CBS TV in New York City. After the success of their first appearance they were signed to five more in early 1956.

R.I.P.: Clare Fischer

Clare Fischer, a Grammy-winning pianist, composer and arranger who crossed freely from jazz to Latin and pop music, working with such names as Dizzy Gillespie, George Shearing and Natalie Cole as well as Paul McCartney, Prince, Michael Jackson, and Robert Palmer has died. He was 83. MORE HERE

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Instant Lennon

January 26, 1970, John Lennon wrote, recorded, and mixed his new single, "Instant Karma," all in one day. It ranks as one of the fastest-released songs in pop music history, recorded at London's Abbey Road Studios and arriving in stores only ten days later. The single peaked at No. 3 on the US chart and No. 5 in the UK. MORE HERE

Happy Birthday Eddie Van Halen

Boxy Roxy

Roxymusicroxy

Roxy Music will release a deluxe box-set entitled ‘Roxy Music: The Complete Studio Recordings 1972-1982’ on Monday April 2, 2012 celebrating 40 years since the release of the band’s eponymous debut album in 1972. MORE HERE

Sweet Blockbuster

January 26, 1973, Sweet were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Blockbuster'. The glam rockers only UK No.1 of 15 Top 40 hits.

The State of Jefferson Starship

Jefferson

First there was Jefferson Airplane, the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame act that originally broke up in 1972, which gave birth to Jefferson Starship. Then there was just plain Starship, soon followed by Mickey Thomas' Starship, Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas and, I kid you not, Starship — The Next Generation. Toss in various reunions and side projects and, truly, it was hard to tell the players without a scorecard.

Along the way, Airplane/Starship created some of the greatest music in rock 'n' roll history as well as some of the most forgettable. Jefferson Starship Acoustic Explorer Review HERE

official website

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Etta James January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012

We're still smarting...

Marvelous Carpenters


January 25, 1975, The Carpenters went to No.1 on the US singles chart with their version of The Marveletts 1961 hit 'Please Mr. Postman'.

Troggs Tragic News

Troggs-008a

Reg Presley, lead singer of the British ’60s hitmakers the Troggs, has announced a retirement from music due to his being diagnosed with cancer.

Presley, age 70, has fronted the Troggs since they first appeared on the music scene in 1965 with the classic ‘Wild Thing.’ MORE HERE

Monday, January 23, 2012

Chinese New Year 2012

Django Reinhardt 23 January 1910 – 16 May 1953

Sweetness



January 23, 1971, George Harrison became the first solo Beatle to have a No.1 when 'My Sweet Lord' went to the top of the UK single charts. The song from his 'All Things Must Pass' album stayed at No.1 for five weeks. The track returned to the top of the UK charts in 2002, following his death.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Happy Birthday Richie Havens

Peggy Lee May 26, 1920 – January 21, 2002

The Hotness of Harvey



I love this woman.

Disco Fever 1978

January 21, 1978, The soundtrack album 'Saturday Night Fever' started a 24 week run at No.1 on the US album charts, it went on to sell over 30 million copies world wide, making it the best selling soundtrack album of all time.

R.I.P.: Winston Riley

Late last night (January 20, 2012) it was confirmed that a kingpin of the reggae world has passed away. Winston Riley entered the reggae scene in the '60s as a singer with The Techniques, and from there he started Techniques record label and produced some of Jamaican music's biggest hits. MORE HERE

Friday, January 20, 2012

R.I.P.: Etta James



Soul and blues legend Etta James has passed away after a battle with leukemia. She was 73.

Born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles, James was singing gospel in churches and on radio stations at the age of five. In the mid-50s, she launched a solo career, releasing hits like "Good Rockin' Daddy". In 1960, she signed with Arco, a subsidiary of Chess, and her partnership with the label would be long and fruitful. Working with Chess, James released her most iconic songs, including "All I Could Do Was Cry", "Trust in Me", and the eternal wedding staple "At Last".

During the 1960s, James battled heroin addiction, but she stayed productive, recording the classic 1968 LP Tell Mama with the great Muscle Shoals house band. She recorded for Chess until the mid-70s, and continued releasing albums and touring through the mid-2000s. MORE HERE

As an aside:  In 1950, her mother took her to San Francisco, where James formed a group called the Peaches. Singer Johnny Otis, best known for "Willie and the Hand Jive," discovered her and had her sing a song he wrote using Ballard's tune as a model. "The Wallflower," ...Johnny Otis died earlier this week (see post below)

R.I.P.: Johnny Otis

Johnny Otis, the bandleader, talent scout and songwriter who was often called the "Godfather of R&B," died on Tuesday January 17, 2012  at his suburban Los Angeles home. He was 90. MORE HERE

Chuck D's Public Enemy?

Chuckd

Last Friday (January 13, 2012), LA Weekly city chronicler Dennis Romero posted a preview item about “Occupy Skid Row,” a free concert event in downtown LA organized by Public Enemy. Romero is willing to admit that his January 13 item was perhaps a tad too “negative.”

Frankly, LA Weekly's pieces as of late have been excrutiatingly bad ...poor writing, bad commentary, worse editing.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Happy Birthday Dolly Parton

Killer Song



January 19, 1971, Tracks from The Beatles White Album (including 'Helter Skelter'), were played in the courtroom at the Sharon Tate murder trial to find out if any songs could have influenced Charles Manson and his followers to commit murder. Actress Sharon Tate who was married to film director Roman Polanski, was eight and a half months pregnant when she was murdered in her home, along with four others, by followers of Charles Manson.

Smhelter

Carl Perkins April 9, 1932 – January 19, 1998

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Happy Birthday Bobby Goldsboro

David Ruffin January 18, 1941 – June 1, 1991

Punk Rock Museum Los Angeles

Punk

L.A. scenester icon Taquila Mockingbird made a heartfelt promise three decades ago to "keep punk alive," and she's been doing it pretty much everyday of her life since. It fuels her very existence. But last weekend, the writer/singer/artist took it all to a bigger, more focused and fittingly in your face way new level, as creator of the brand new Punk Rock Museum. MORE HERE

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Eartha Kitt January 17, 1927 – December 25, 2008

UK Starr

1953, American jazz singer Kay Starr (Katherine Starks) was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Comes A Long A Love'.

The Bitch Is Backbiting

Eltonmadonna

Gossip isn't something SHV strives for but this catfighting is fuuny...

There was plenty of drama at the post-awards parties for the Golden Globes. While Madonna publicly laughed it off, it’s clear Elton John and his spouse David Furnish were furious about the Material Mom beating out Sir Elton for best film song on Sunday (January 15, 2012).

Furnish posted an angry note on Facebook (“Madonna. Best Song? Fuck off!”) and the two men continued to harp at post-Globes parties about both the award and Madonna’s acceptance speech. MORE HERE

Elton started the whole thing before the show began...see HERE  Madonna doesn't feel bad...see HERE Seems Mr. John has been on Ms. Madge for a while...see HERE

Los Gatos de Lennon


















The website Mental Floss has put together an exhaustive list of all of John Lennon's cats, from his childhood on through his career with the Beatles and up to his final days living in Manhattan with his wife, Yoko Ono. As it turns out, Lennon totally adored felines. MORE HERE

in Spanish HERE

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Harry Nilsson June 15, 1941 – January 15, 1994

Del Rey Debut

Internet phenomenon Lana Del Rey had her U.S. television debut on NBC's Saturday Night Live last night (January 14, 2012).

Her performance was under high scrutiny by those who are familiar with her internet videos, and her introduction to America for those who've never heard her name. Del Rey, who had expressed her nervousness before the show, was pitchy and strangely guttural in her renditions of "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans" (above)... her voice dropping into an even lower register than she generally sings, but she settled into a groove each time and finished both songs with gusto. Many found her performance less than admirable and 'tweeted' their distain. MORE HERE

Question: Has anyone ever seen Bob Dylan live?

Friday, January 13, 2012

Oh, Lucky Day!

Jack White on BBC

Jack-white-at-the-el-rey

Friday 13th is unlucky for some...but definitely not if you’re a Jack White fan or a 6 Music listener.

As 6 Music premiers a brand new documentary Red White And Black: The Jack White Story this Sunday, Now Playing thought what better way to get you in the mood than to put together a Jack White themed show?

On Friday (Jan 13) from 7pm GMT (11am PST) Now Playing will be playing out 60 minutes of Jack White related musical nuggets...BBC Radio 6 Music player HERE

Superstition Kills

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Zeppelin '69

January 12, 1969, Led Zeppelin's debut album was released in the UK. Recorded at Olympic Studios in Barnes, London, the album took only about 36 hours of studio time to complete at a cost of just £1,782, most of the tracks being recorded 'live' in the studio with very few overdubs. The album spent a total of 71 weeks on the UK chart.

Bryan Ferry Ties Another Knot

























Singer Bryan Ferry, 66, Weds Son's Former Girlfriend, Amanda Sheppard, 29 MORE HERE

Velvet Underground Goes Bananas

Banana

The Velvet Underground have filed a lawsuit in a Manhattan federal court against the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts over the iconic banana image found on the cover of their 1967 debut album, The Velvet Underground and Nico. Band leaders Lou Reed and John Cale claim that the foundation has illegally licensed the image for use on various products, including iPad cases.MORE HERE

The Kills Last Goodbye

The Kills celebrate ten years of musical partnership with this poignant and playful video, directed by Oscar nominated actress Samantha Morton. MORE HERE

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Happy Birthday Ronnie Hawkins

Howlin' Wolf June 10, 1910 – January 10, 1976

January 10, 1976, Blues artist Howlin Wolf, (Chester Burnett), died in hospital of cancer aged 66.

We Are The 99%

Members of TV On The Radio, Liturgy, and The Notekillers have teamed up for the Occupy Wall Street anthem "We Are"

Decencies On The Frequencies

























If the U.S. Supreme Court is willing to listen, rocker Steven Tyler has something to say about nudity and profanity on broadcast TV.

"There's a certain charm and passion and magic in not showing full-frontal nudity" or using constant profanity, Tyler said, as the high court prepared to take up a First Amendment case on the regulation of the airwaves. MORE HERE

Tony Iommi Diagnosed with Lymphoma

Iommi

Tony Iommi, iconic guitarist of Black Sabbath, has been diagnosed with the “early stages” of lymphoma, according to a statement issued by the band’s publicist.

The news comes at a pivotal time for Sabbath. Several months ago, the original foursome announced its plans to write and produce their first new studio album in 33 years. They’ve been recording in Los Angeles, but according to Rolling Stone, they’ll move production to England to accommodate the guitarist. MORE HERE

Monday, January 9, 2012

Tasty Rosemary Clooney

January 9, 1955, Rosemary Clooney was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Mambo Italiano' the singers second No.1. The song was banned by all ABC owned stations in the US because it "did not reach standards of good taste".

Dave Dee 17 December 1941 – 9 January 2009

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Inductee 2012 : Freddie King

MORE HERE

Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Inductees 2012 : The Small Faces/The Faces

The Small Faces...



The Faces...



MORE HERE

Van Halen Did 'Wha?'

As news briefings go, it rocked. On Thursday night January 5, 2012  Van Halen took to the stage of the venerable Cafe Wha? on Macdougal Street in Greenwich Village, capacity 250. MORE HERE

Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Inductee 2012 : Donovan



MORE HERE

R.I.P.: Bob Weston

Bob Weston, a guitarist who played as a member of Fleetwood Mac on their early Seventies albums Penguin and Mystery to Me, has died at the age of 64. Shown with the 'supergroup' Ashman Reynolds. MORE HERE

Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Inductee 2012 : Laura Nyro

MORE HERE

Friday, January 6, 2012

Lou Rawls December 1, 1933 – January 6, 2006

Flying V Anniversary

Flyingvedit3

January 6, 1958, Gibson guitars launched it' 'Flying V' electric guitar. Guitarists who played a Flying V include, Albert King, Jimi Hendrix, Marc Bolan and Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top (pictured).

CinéJerry

Jerry

The late Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia will be the subject of a forthcoming feature-length documentary. Filmmaker Malcolm Leo, who has previously made movies on Elvis Presley and the Beach Boys, will build the doc around a three-hour interview he conducted with Garcia in 1987. Leo and co-producer John Hartmann, who has managed bands such as the Eagles and Crosby Stills & Nash, hope to have the film ready by spring. MORE HERE

Frampton's Guitar Comes Back Alive!

Peter-frampton_lp

Peter Frampton has been reunited with the Gibson electric guitar he played on “Frampton Comes Alive,” three decades after it was presumed destroyed in a plane crash. MORE HERE

Thursday, January 5, 2012

R.I.P.: Jennifer 'Miro' Anderson

Jennifer Anderson (AKA Jennifer Miro or Mistress Jennifer), a musician, writer, and model whose doll-like looks and seductive voice helped make a name for pioneering San Francisco punk band the Nuns, died last month in New York City of complications from cancer. She was 54.MORE HERE

Happy Birthday Chris Stein

Charles Mingus April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979

R.I.P.: Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt

Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, best known for his work with psychedelic rock act Iron Butterfly and Captain Beyond, has passed away at the age of 63. MORE HERE

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Happy Birthday John Paul Jones

Bee Gees First One

January 3, 1967, The Bee Gees were at No.1 on the Australian singles chart with the single 'Spickes and Speckes.' ...it made number one just as they were sailing away from Australia, due to a lack of commercial success!

Guitar International's Guitarist of the Year: Joe Bonamassa

2011 was a big year for Blues-Rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa. 

Though still a young 34 years of age, this guitar slinger has accomplished more than most players could imagine to achieve in a lifetime...MORE HERE

other awards:

Lifetime Achievement Award: Slash

Guitar Album of the Year: Chickenfoot III

Monday, January 2, 2012

Tex Ritter January 12, 1905 – January 2, 1974

How Cee Lo(w) Can You Go?

Cee-lo-fuck-you

Cee Lo Green fucked up John Lennon's most renowned song and upset fans on Saturday night by performing a crappy version of the classic "Imagine" with the lyrics changed from "nothing to kill or die for / and no religion too" to "nothing to kill or die for / and all religion's true."
In a single blow, Green changed the entire meaning and message of the song by switching out the line. "The whole point of that lyric is that religion causes harm," someone tweeted ...MORE HERE

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Alexis Korner 19 April 1928 — 1 January 1984

January 1, 1984, Alexis Korner died of lung cancer aged 55. Know as "the Founding Father of British Blues", he was a major force behind the UK early 60's R&B scene. Formed Blues Incorporated; members at various times included Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, Long John Baldry, Graham Bond and Charlie Watts. Had hits with CCS, including a version of Led Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love' (begins at 3:05) which was used as the theme for BBC's Top Of The Pops for several years. Became a radio presenter in the 70's.

Hank Williams September 17, 1923 - January 1, 1953

Happy New Year!

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