Mick Ralphs turned 66 today…Bob had a Blue Plate special cake for him at noon in the Cafe Rock. He was, of course, the guitarist & cofounder for Bad Company, and Mott the Hoople. I had a chance to chat with Mick years ago in London, at Abbey Road Studios. Mick explained to me that he has a morbid fear of flying..which explains why he quit touring altogether many years ago. He also explained to me that a “hoople” is basically a lazy hobo who doesn’t like to work….sort of the rock n roll dream, eh?
I know the young Kings are trying. I know it’s tough to win on the road. But let’s face it… we’re tired of hearin’ it. The other night, our boys lost to New Jersey, the team with the worst record in the NBA. Tonight, we’re up against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have lost 16 games in a row. If the Kings fall, and the Wolves break that streak…. the party’s over. Any remaining fans like me will be jumping off the bandwagon for 2010. How long til the Giants first pitch?
Get ready to watch 95,000 screaming fans. That gig at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, that U2 streamed on YouTube is coming to DVD.
‘U2360° At The Rose Bowl’ is their first release available on Bluray. The limited edition will feature a new documentary called ‘Squaring the Circle: Creating U2360°’. Look for it June 7.
What is going on with the Keith Moon biopic? That’s a good question. After a series of revisions and many different writers, now Roger Daltrey has spoken out. (more…)
Alex Chilton died a coupla weeks ago. Don’t recognize the name…? You certainly know his songs–like “The Letter”, with the BoxTops, from 1967. Or the Big Star tune “In the Streets”–the theme song for That 70’s Show (re-recorded by Cheap Trick). Alex was born in 1950 in Memphis–my ol’ hometown..& that explains my “brush” with him. When I was 10 years old, I would stay with my cuz John, who lived down the street from Bill Cunningham. Bill played bass in a garage band…& sometimes John & I would sneak out to watch em practice. Turns out.. the garage band became the BoxTops…and with Alex, had an international hit with “The Letter” when they were all just teenagers, playing blue-eyed soul. It was my first realization that folks in your neighborhood, could become ROCK STARS. It was the first time I had SEEN someone that I HEARD on the radio… The BoxTops quickly drifted apart, and in the 70’s Alex Chilton formed Big Star. Tho I never personally was a big fan of Big Star, they were indie cult heroes. Alex certainly influenced countless bands in the 90’s. For me…he just showed that it was possible to move from your neighborhood garage, to the big stage.
24/7 Wall Street has named Bono the “Worst Investor in America” for the nearly half million dollars he and his investment firm Elevation Partners sunk into smart phone maker Palm. The financial journal says Elevation Partners is “arguably the worst-run institutional fund of any size in the United States.” Okay, they made bad choices… of course this is hugely embarrassing for one of the best known rockers on the planet. But at least he’s put a lot of time and money into helping other people. That’s more than you can say about some other self-important attention whores.
Dylan and the Band will get us up and grooving first thing this Saturday morning. We’ll take a minute out to remember the Band’s keyboard player Richard Manuel who would have celebrated his 67th this week. The English gave us progressive rock and those classically trained musicians will get their licks in. We’ll get a double shot of Hendrix in on this, the anniversary of his first British tour. We’ll talk about photographer Jim Marshallwho died two weeks ago, his photos were a remarkable and gave form to our lives in the shape of album covers, posters and magazine articles. Peter Frampton’s early band, Humble pie will rock the house, and we will remember the lead singer of the Boxtops, Alex Chilton.I have a Stones song that features only Mick and Keith, the other boys in the band fell asleep and missed the session. Lou Reed will give us a taste of New York rock and roll and Canned Heat will echo the sentiment of so many hipsters of the time, words that still ring true today. Birthdays this week for Eric Clapton, 3 time inductee into the rock and roll hall of fame, John Barata, the drummer who played with the Turtles and CSN. Leon Russell who pretty much was the all around session player of the 60s, and hats off to the late McKinley Morganfield a.k.a. Muddy Waters. This weekend marks the 42nd anniversary of MLK’s assasination. We’ll also talk about the time when Paul McCartney visited San Francisco and hung out with the Jefferson Airplane. It snowed in SF that day…crazy huh? I’ll turn on the black light for you. Just let yourself in around 7am this Saturday morning.
Richard Manuel, one of the most soulful dudes on the planet. Happy B’day.R.I.P.
This is not just any divorce. The owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Frank McCourt and his estranged wife Jamie are in a courtroom where a judge is considering Jamie’s request for One Million dollars in monthly support from her husband. That’s right, a Mil a month. Not that he can’t afford it…. Apparently the McCourts bragged that they paid no state and federal income tax on 108 million dollars they earned from 2004 to 2009. But still… she’s looking for about $33,000 a DAY! I guess those manicures can really put a dent in your budget. Jeez… for that kind of divorce settlement, I’d marry Frank McCourt.
The Niello VW Ranch Run & Car Show is April 9-11. Several events happen those 3 days..with the culmination being a VW caravan to the Ride to Walk ranch in Lincoln on Sunday. Hundreds of vintage bugs & vans head up to the beautiful ranch, for a BBQ, car show, & party! Trophies & prizes will be awarded…with all proceeds benefitting the Ride to Walk program. Ride to Walk helps kids & young adults with disabilites…providing therapy thru horseback riding activities. Registration & more info at www.niellovw.com.
In 1946, the French parliament passed a law that closed more than 1400 brothels throughout the country. One day they were legal. The next day they weren’t. Now, the French government is once again taking a look at the laws surrounding sex work, and could again allow brothels to operate freely. And here’s a big surprise…. A majority of men polled (70%) support the move. Well, at least it means jobs.
Mick Ralphs turned 66 today…Bob had a Blue Plate special cake for him at noon in the Cafe Rock. He was, of course, the guitarist & cofounder for Bad Company, and Mott the Hoople. I had a chance to chat with Mick years ago in London, at Abbey Road Studios. Mick explained to me that he has a morbid fear of flying..which explains why he quit touring altogether many years ago. He also explained to me that a “hoople” is basically a lazy hobo who doesn’t like to work….sort of the rock n roll dream, eh?
