They're out to get him.
I didn't like school, because the teachers were so bad. Forget that they were limited. they wanted to keep you in a box. Make sure you were somebody contrary to your inner tuning fork. They wanted you to conform. But when you found a teacher who took the lid off the jar, who wanted to expand your mind with no limits, it was scintillating, you couldn't wait to get to class, but it happened so rarely. Like with Mrs. Hurley. She posted "Time" article on "Alice's Restaurant" on the bulletin board. We went to see Janis Ian at Philharmonic Hall. Saw "MacBird" Off-Broadway. You couldn't wait to get to class.
But most teachers are idiots and the students are drones.
Of course I'm overstating, but your reaction is the point I'm making... Society is all about conforming. And if you don't?
You know that Elon Musk smoked weed on Joe Rogan's podcast. It was all over the news. Well, in case you didn't know, marijuana is legal in California. The media's outrage, especially the financial media, illustrates how out of touch these old men are. This is why Trump got elected. You can't swear in the newspaper, but people swear all day long. The newspaper reports about people who lead. Elon Musk is doing the leading.
GM killed the electric car. Elon Musk resuscitated it.
Now for the uninformed, and that seems to be nearly everybody, of course electric cars don't pollute through their nonexistent tailpipe, but the key here is they're more efficient than gasoline cars. It takes less energy to go forward. Of course you need to generate electricity to power them, but significantly less than the amount needed for gasoline cars.
Of course you could power these cars with solar. But Obama lost the government's money propping up some losers so we should abandon it, throw out the baby with the bathwater, even though foreign nations are using ever less fossil fuel power. They're also pushing forward electric automobiles. They're concerned about the future. In America, we like to live in the past.
Never mind SpaceX. We were depending upon the Russians for our rocket power, Musk has pushed forward space technology significantly, in a way the government didn't.
But he's an arrogant loser who must be stopped.
Now that dope headline... It was written by people who didn't listen to the podcast. That's the media we've got today, all news and no analysis, unless it's about politics, which is now a team sport where too many make up their own facts. But if you listened to the podcast you'd find out...
Elon Musk is incredibly boring. I'm sure women are attracted to him for his money and power, maybe his mind, but being in a relationship with him... There's more dead air than you'll find in space. Rogan asks a question and then...Musk thinks. This is not a politician with canned answers at the ready.
And speaking of politicians... You can't make it without backers, you're sold out by the time you get traction. Rogan keeps on asking Musk if he's bringing his ideas to somebody, as if Musk needed approval. Rogan's living in Hollywood, where you roll up a team of producers and talent and try to convince someone at the studio or Netflix to pay for your enterprise, employing smoke and mirrors all the way. The sale is how you get paid, and the buyer knows this, which is why they might put profit-sharing in the contract, but you never get paid.
Musk made a lot of money. He spends his own.
But he did borrow some. Tesla went public.
Therefore there's a cabal watching the company like baby boomers follow baseball. It's all minute data, not big picture.
So Musk got frustrated with those betting against him, the short sellers.
Wouldn't you be pissed at those wanting you to fail?
And he got uppity during the quarterly numbers call. Wouldn't you? You're changing the world and you've got to listen to these bozos asking inane questions that have got nothing to do with what you're really doing. We've seen this before, fifty years ago, with Bob Dylan. Just listen to "Ballad Of A Thin Man," or watch "Don't Look Back." The frustration is palpable and the arrogance is evident and Zimmy is not too lovable. Not long after this he retreated to the woods and has been an enigma ever since. He wants to control his own narrative. Dylan tells lies and fables and confounds your expectations. Musk ain't much different.
Joe Rogan is not dumb. But at first he seems a horrible interviewer until you realize how much Musk is not forthcoming. But Joe's employing locker room humor in a serious discussion, all that self-deprecating crap used before they take down those truly superior by the by.
But if you listen to what Musk has to say...
He's anti-AI. But nobody would listen to him.
Then he says the merger of humanity and tech is already here. Your smartphone is an extension of your body, the only problem being the pathway is too narrow and slow. This is what the anti-tech people always get wrong, they're always trying to deny the present, never mind the future, and get us to return to the past. The smartphone enables production, makes you smarter, it's a computer in your hand. You don't want to abandon it because it's part of you. Give up chastising Apple and Facebook, telling them to put limits on usage. That's missing the point, we don't want to use our smartphones and apps less, we want to use them MORE!
This is the merger of identity and technology that Ray Kurzweil has been talking about. This is the Singularity. And it's already happening, and it's only gonna get worse/better.
You hear people all the time telling you what they don't need. They don't need a new phone, they don't need a faster connection, don't listen to them, they're the ones being left behind, they can't handle the future.
But the future is coming. Musk is optimistic. He says he'd rather be optimistic and wrong than pessimistic and right.
The media is pessimistic. Just like the educational system. The teachers and administration want to drag you down into the hole they're in (thanks Dylan!) But if I could sit with Musk, if I could be exposed to some of these thinkers...
They're changing our lives. But the people "in charge" are too stupid to understand them. Musk spoke with fifty governors, i.e. all of them, about the detriments of AI and...they didn't get it.
Congress doesn't get it, they're just a brake after the fact. And of course we need brakes on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram, but if you don't take the time to understand how they truly work, live with those running them as opposed to questioning them for a few hours every other year, you'll never get it.
Maybe Tesla will go broke. Maybe the fact that the Chief Accounting Officer left after a month is significant. But let's get some perspective here, before Musk and Tesla the electric car was dead. Now the electric car is the future. Get your head out of your rear end and look at the rest of the world, they're moving quickly into electrics.
We try to pull down those who are the outliers. We're self-satisfied. If you're smart, you're a wuss to be made fun of. America is all about conforming. Just ask the millennials, they don't want to stick out, they just want to fit in.
Of course Musk has gone off the rails a few times, like criticizing the savior of the cave kids.
But you can understand why he wanted to take Tesla private, so he didn't have to listen to these uneducated naysayers all the time.
Musk is pushing the envelope. All the while having fun. He considers the Tesla a toy, the X will dance to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. But the S will beat the pants off a Porsche, which is why Porsche is now going electric.
The future is coming, stop denigrating those who are leading us there.
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Saturday 8 September 2018
Friday 7 September 2018
Hot Tuna At The El Rey
Electric.
If you'd have asked me whether I wanted to go, I would have said no. But my friend Steve was in from New York, and he's their longtime agent, and we were gonna have dinner before, so...
I said I was in.
We went to Republique, the old Campanile space. Did you ever go there on Thursday for Grilled Cheese Night? Yup, a whole menu of grilled cheese sandwiches from ten to twenty bucks, definitely a memorable experience. Hell, we celebrated my father's seventieth ten days before he died upstairs at Campanile, he could barely eat, but I remember it. And Steve e-mailed he was gonna be late, so I looked for a parking spot in the neighborhood. Unavailable. I found a lot, where you paid by meter, but as I got out an obvious concertgoer leaned from his car and asked me if I'd ever parked there before. I said only during the daytime. Then he pointed to the sign that said no parking after nine unless you had a permit? Huh? Who does this work for? I mean if I live in the neighborhood I want to park before nine... And eventually I found a spot on a side street where the meter would end before free parking began. I'm always anxious about this, I hate trying to beat the odds, but I left it there. Oh, I could have gone back and parked at Republique, where I was just about to pay before I got Steve's message about being late, but that's when I realized the restaurant and the venue were within walking distance, did I want to pay twice? No. But then as we stood outside the venue, waiting for our tickets, I asked myself, can you walk seven blocks at eleven o'clock at Wilshire and La Brea? And it ended up being twelve-thirty and no one tampered with my car but I wouldn't want to die for thirty five bucks, what it would have cost me to park twice. The dilemmas of living in Los Angeles, where there are more cars than spaces but you have to drive everywhere. Oh, you could Uber but I don't drink and it would be more than parking and...
The Dover Sole was INCREDIBLE! I just figured I'd get fish because I didn't want to be bloated at the gig, but I didn't expect it to be filleted at the table and to have an exquisite taste and I ate it as we continued to talk...
About the old days. That's what we baby boomers do, talk about the gigs and the players and in this case Andy Slater's movie about Laurel Canyon, premiering at the L.A. Film Festival. Which led to stories about Brian Wilson, because APA is his agent, and then Andy told the story of becoming friendly with Hot Tuna. I'm loath to tell it, but otherwise I don't know if you'd ever hear it, he tells it so much better. But in short, he got friendly with Vinny the roadie when he was in college in Atlanta and he and a buddy helped Vinny schlepp the equipment. And then asked Vinny whether they could do the same at the Palladium the following week, which was a seventeen hour drive, and after Vinny said yes they got a drive-away car and Andy didn't tell his parents he was home and ultimately Andy went to Paragon Sports to make a Hot Tuna satin jacket. He sent one to Jorma and...
Now Hot Tuna is not the mainstream music business. For a while, back in '72, it was close, Jorma and Jack were still riding high from the Airplane, but today does anybody know that Hot Tuna exists?
Most of the crowd were antiques. Longhairs. Not cleaned-up for the office. Although there were a few youngsters there.
And did I tell you it was SOLD OUT??
Every night in Los Angeles acts with records on the hit parade play big rooms where people sing along to the manufactured show. That's what they think live music is all about. But Hot Tuna live was not a show, but a concert. And there's a difference.
So we went back to the dressing room and I was stunned how tiny and thin Jack Casady was. Jorma was big and burly like a lumberjack, and Jorma was thrilled the gig was sold out, L.A. is not one of their strongest markets and both men were very friendly but we had to leave because they were about to go on. Oh, did I tell you we had to walk across the stage to get to the dressing room? I was embarrassed, I thought there would be catcalls, but nobody said a thing. The difference between stage and audience was close to nonexistent, you see at a Hot Tuna show, everybody's in it all together.
And then Jack and Jorma hit the stage, along with a drummer, and you start thinking, how old are these guys?
So you pull up Wikipedia to find out Jack is seventy four and Jorma's about to be seventy eight! And it's then that you realize, this is no different from students in the sixties excavating old blues artists to play on their college campus.
And that's what they were playing, the blues, but Jorma was WAILING!
Now this is mindblower. Because of his age. Because it's no longer about guitar heroes. Because you think that records can be manufactured, but this was positively real.
And that's when I realized it was like the Fillmore.
And those days are long gone.
Of course you wanted to see your favorites, but sometimes you went no matter who was on stage, for the atmosphere, for the experience.
This is different from waiting for the hit and taking selfies, you're going to marinate in the music, to be taken away, to let your mind drift. This is the true Grateful Dead experience! That's right, before it got out of control in the mid-seventies, before it became ridiculous in the eighties, you went to a Dead show and they played for four hours, most of it noodling and experimentation, trying to find the essence. You hung, and not on every note. Sure, there were moments of climax, especially during the final hour, but really it was a communal experience that was the other, away from the mainstream. That's right, before the Airplane and the Dead were popular, they were nobodies. This is not teenage rappers going from zero to hero on their first record, prepubescent pop stars singing canned music for their peers. No, you had to be in the know, and if you were, you were way ahead of the scene. Now you're way behind the scene, but the scene is so vapid that a gig like this is a revelation.
And despite not ending until long after midnight, no one left.
There was a break in the middle.
And in the second set, the band came alive. It's subtle, and so different from playing to hard drive. Suddenly, everything clicked, Steve Kimock was in on the action, and your ear pricked up, you could tell the difference, the extended version of "Good Shepherd" was the highlight, you didn't want it to end.
And it's not ending for Jorma and Jack. They're musicians, they're gonna play till they drop.
And the Airplane's money was held up by manager Matthew Katz.
In other words, these are not rich rock stars living on past income, Jorma and Jack are in their heyday now, working for a living.
It was so strange, you could walk near the stage and feel like you were bonding with the act. Or go back and have a conversation and feel the music soothing you. It was a night out. Sure, there was merch, but no over-expensive food and drink, this was positively in the past, when it came to ethos anyway.
Now the jam band fans are aware of Hot Tuna, they play Peter Shapiro's Capitol Theatre, then again, jam band music peaked fifteen years ago, it had a good run, but Blues Traveler ain't gonna be on the hit parade again any time soon. Tedeschi Trucks does good business, but if you don't know, you don't know. Which is so different from the era when Jack and Jorma were kings. When fans knew the entire music scene, what was out there, and a hit could come from left field.
So should you go?
I'd say young people should especially. To see the POSSIBILITIES! Full room of groovers, with no parents in the quiet room waiting to take their kiddies home. This was not big business, it was THE BUSINESS!
But it doesn't matter to Jack and Jorma whether you come or not, they'll still perform, they'll still do their act. Playing for hours to get it right. Septuagenarian Jack even started to jump in the middle of the second set. Not exactly like Eddie Van Halen used to, but Eddie had a hip replacement and Eddie is younger yet you're listening to Jorma and thinking of Eddie. Eddie is glorified as the king, along with Clapton and a few other pickers, but the truth is there are more than that, and each person has their own style. It was not cookie-cutter, it was different.
And it was different last night.
If you'd have asked me whether I wanted to go, I would have said no. But my friend Steve was in from New York, and he's their longtime agent, and we were gonna have dinner before, so...
I said I was in.
We went to Republique, the old Campanile space. Did you ever go there on Thursday for Grilled Cheese Night? Yup, a whole menu of grilled cheese sandwiches from ten to twenty bucks, definitely a memorable experience. Hell, we celebrated my father's seventieth ten days before he died upstairs at Campanile, he could barely eat, but I remember it. And Steve e-mailed he was gonna be late, so I looked for a parking spot in the neighborhood. Unavailable. I found a lot, where you paid by meter, but as I got out an obvious concertgoer leaned from his car and asked me if I'd ever parked there before. I said only during the daytime. Then he pointed to the sign that said no parking after nine unless you had a permit? Huh? Who does this work for? I mean if I live in the neighborhood I want to park before nine... And eventually I found a spot on a side street where the meter would end before free parking began. I'm always anxious about this, I hate trying to beat the odds, but I left it there. Oh, I could have gone back and parked at Republique, where I was just about to pay before I got Steve's message about being late, but that's when I realized the restaurant and the venue were within walking distance, did I want to pay twice? No. But then as we stood outside the venue, waiting for our tickets, I asked myself, can you walk seven blocks at eleven o'clock at Wilshire and La Brea? And it ended up being twelve-thirty and no one tampered with my car but I wouldn't want to die for thirty five bucks, what it would have cost me to park twice. The dilemmas of living in Los Angeles, where there are more cars than spaces but you have to drive everywhere. Oh, you could Uber but I don't drink and it would be more than parking and...
The Dover Sole was INCREDIBLE! I just figured I'd get fish because I didn't want to be bloated at the gig, but I didn't expect it to be filleted at the table and to have an exquisite taste and I ate it as we continued to talk...
About the old days. That's what we baby boomers do, talk about the gigs and the players and in this case Andy Slater's movie about Laurel Canyon, premiering at the L.A. Film Festival. Which led to stories about Brian Wilson, because APA is his agent, and then Andy told the story of becoming friendly with Hot Tuna. I'm loath to tell it, but otherwise I don't know if you'd ever hear it, he tells it so much better. But in short, he got friendly with Vinny the roadie when he was in college in Atlanta and he and a buddy helped Vinny schlepp the equipment. And then asked Vinny whether they could do the same at the Palladium the following week, which was a seventeen hour drive, and after Vinny said yes they got a drive-away car and Andy didn't tell his parents he was home and ultimately Andy went to Paragon Sports to make a Hot Tuna satin jacket. He sent one to Jorma and...
Now Hot Tuna is not the mainstream music business. For a while, back in '72, it was close, Jorma and Jack were still riding high from the Airplane, but today does anybody know that Hot Tuna exists?
Most of the crowd were antiques. Longhairs. Not cleaned-up for the office. Although there were a few youngsters there.
And did I tell you it was SOLD OUT??
Every night in Los Angeles acts with records on the hit parade play big rooms where people sing along to the manufactured show. That's what they think live music is all about. But Hot Tuna live was not a show, but a concert. And there's a difference.
So we went back to the dressing room and I was stunned how tiny and thin Jack Casady was. Jorma was big and burly like a lumberjack, and Jorma was thrilled the gig was sold out, L.A. is not one of their strongest markets and both men were very friendly but we had to leave because they were about to go on. Oh, did I tell you we had to walk across the stage to get to the dressing room? I was embarrassed, I thought there would be catcalls, but nobody said a thing. The difference between stage and audience was close to nonexistent, you see at a Hot Tuna show, everybody's in it all together.
And then Jack and Jorma hit the stage, along with a drummer, and you start thinking, how old are these guys?
So you pull up Wikipedia to find out Jack is seventy four and Jorma's about to be seventy eight! And it's then that you realize, this is no different from students in the sixties excavating old blues artists to play on their college campus.
And that's what they were playing, the blues, but Jorma was WAILING!
Now this is mindblower. Because of his age. Because it's no longer about guitar heroes. Because you think that records can be manufactured, but this was positively real.
And that's when I realized it was like the Fillmore.
And those days are long gone.
Of course you wanted to see your favorites, but sometimes you went no matter who was on stage, for the atmosphere, for the experience.
This is different from waiting for the hit and taking selfies, you're going to marinate in the music, to be taken away, to let your mind drift. This is the true Grateful Dead experience! That's right, before it got out of control in the mid-seventies, before it became ridiculous in the eighties, you went to a Dead show and they played for four hours, most of it noodling and experimentation, trying to find the essence. You hung, and not on every note. Sure, there were moments of climax, especially during the final hour, but really it was a communal experience that was the other, away from the mainstream. That's right, before the Airplane and the Dead were popular, they were nobodies. This is not teenage rappers going from zero to hero on their first record, prepubescent pop stars singing canned music for their peers. No, you had to be in the know, and if you were, you were way ahead of the scene. Now you're way behind the scene, but the scene is so vapid that a gig like this is a revelation.
And despite not ending until long after midnight, no one left.
There was a break in the middle.
And in the second set, the band came alive. It's subtle, and so different from playing to hard drive. Suddenly, everything clicked, Steve Kimock was in on the action, and your ear pricked up, you could tell the difference, the extended version of "Good Shepherd" was the highlight, you didn't want it to end.
And it's not ending for Jorma and Jack. They're musicians, they're gonna play till they drop.
And the Airplane's money was held up by manager Matthew Katz.
In other words, these are not rich rock stars living on past income, Jorma and Jack are in their heyday now, working for a living.
It was so strange, you could walk near the stage and feel like you were bonding with the act. Or go back and have a conversation and feel the music soothing you. It was a night out. Sure, there was merch, but no over-expensive food and drink, this was positively in the past, when it came to ethos anyway.
Now the jam band fans are aware of Hot Tuna, they play Peter Shapiro's Capitol Theatre, then again, jam band music peaked fifteen years ago, it had a good run, but Blues Traveler ain't gonna be on the hit parade again any time soon. Tedeschi Trucks does good business, but if you don't know, you don't know. Which is so different from the era when Jack and Jorma were kings. When fans knew the entire music scene, what was out there, and a hit could come from left field.
So should you go?
I'd say young people should especially. To see the POSSIBILITIES! Full room of groovers, with no parents in the quiet room waiting to take their kiddies home. This was not big business, it was THE BUSINESS!
But it doesn't matter to Jack and Jorma whether you come or not, they'll still perform, they'll still do their act. Playing for hours to get it right. Septuagenarian Jack even started to jump in the middle of the second set. Not exactly like Eddie Van Halen used to, but Eddie had a hip replacement and Eddie is younger yet you're listening to Jorma and thinking of Eddie. Eddie is glorified as the king, along with Clapton and a few other pickers, but the truth is there are more than that, and each person has their own style. It was not cookie-cutter, it was different.
And it was different last night.
--
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Thursday 6 September 2018
Mailbag
Subject: Re: The Chain
This piece made me very happy, Bob. During the soundcheck I turned to a younger co-worker next to me and said, "...and all of those sounds are actually coming from the band!" They even count themselves in, instead of clips or digital tracks counting them in. Mick Fleetwood on drums sounded incredible. And the whole band looked so happy to be performing together. It was a booking Jonny Norman, our Co-EP and music booker wanted so badly, and it was so much fun.
Ed Glavin
Exec. Producer, The Ellen Show
_____________________________________________________
Subject: Re: The Chain
Longtime fan, first time caller!
Thanks for this Bob, I'm the Music Producer at Ellen, and this booking was
15 years in the making, and let me tell you, they were incredible. I wish
you had been in the room, because it was electric. They sounded not only better than ever, they sounded fresh, like a new band. I?m not sure even the band thought it could be possible, that they could reinvent the wheel at this stage of their career and succeed, but they did it.
And their work ethic. So many acts show up, perform their song, and get
right back into their car. Not these guys. They show up early, they
rehearse, they stay long after to make sure it sounds great, they work
HARD. And that's why it works. And why this machine has been working for so long. They actually CARE about the music. And they?ve been smart. They have an amazing team of people around them, from the top - down. It was an extraordinary thing to be a part of and to watch them create their magic. And I'm so happy you posted our clip and felt the same way.
Best,
Jonathan
_______
Jonathan Norman
Co-Executive Producer
"The Ellen DeGeneres Show"
_____________________________________________________
From: Seth Godin
Subject: Re: Ignore Sunk Costs
thanks Bob!
Once you see sunk costs, they're everywhere.
_____________________________________________________
Subject: Re: Jewtropolis
Lana del Rey cancels performance in Israel bc there wasn't suitable venue for to play in West Bank. Didn't you know? Palestinians are HUGE Lana Del Rey fans! Amnesty International warns against expulsion of and violence against activists in Bahrain. Meanwhile, Bahrain is hosting an International Jazz Festival. Where is the outrage and threats and vitriol from Roger Waters, BDS and the rest of the Israel-bashers out there? While we're at it, where are the calls to make Saudi Arabia -- which just sentenced a women's rights activist to DEATH -- an international pariah? And what about Dubai/UAE, to which recording artists flock for the big paydays and obscene luxury even though the government's abysmal human rights record includes capitol punishment for homosexuality and religious apostasy? Anyone ever say a peep about the artists only too happy to drink Cristal and party the night away in this gilded bastion of conspicuous consumption? I'm no Likudnik and i hate the settler movement and Netanyahu in equal measure. However, the hypocrisy at the core of the BDS movement makes my blood boil and gives the lie to the claim that all this selective Israel bashing and anti-Zionism is not thinly veiled anti-Semitism.
Matt Greenberg
_____________________________________________________
Subject: Re: Jewtropolis
Mr. Lefsetz,
You're spot on about Roger Waters.
Few people realize just how rotten Hamas is. They refer to one of Hitlers favorite books right in their very charter.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contemporary_imprints_of_The_Protocols_of_the_Elders_of_Zion#Hamas
It should be more widely known.
I always figure that we should focus on Israel's problems after Roger Waters gives his Long Island mansion back to the Native American tribe that no doubt lived there in the last few hundred years.
I figure the Jewish people have far more historical right to Israel than Americans to America. The college kids should give back their land grant university land back to the local native tribe then we can talk about Israel.
Sincerely,
Bill Mericle
_____________________________________________________
Subject: Re: Jewtropolis
Bob,
If you ever feel the need to throw up in your mouth ask a pro Trump Jew how they can support a President that courts Nazi's and white supremacists. The crap they will come up with to explain away the common ground they share with people that want to murder them is unreal. It's as if they forgot what their fathers or grandfathers fought for in WWII.
We don't need no Rodger Waters.
Neal Berz
_____________________________________________________
From: Charlie Brusco
Subject: Re: Ed King
I first met Ed King in Feb 1974 in Nashville when the Outlaws played the 1st of hundreds of shows with Lynyrd Skynyrd between that night and 1977. The Outlaws were the special guests on the entire Torture Tour. During those years there was a very special bond between Outlaws, Skynyrd, Charlie Daniels and Marshall Tucker. A strong mix of friendship and rivalry. When Ed left the Torture Tour abruptly Hughie Thomasson and Billy Jones of the Outlaws stepped up every night to add a third guitar at Ronnie's urging.
In 1987 I was promoting in Atlanta and managing Gary and Dale's new group simply named Rossington who were signed to Atlantic by Ahmet. They were opening for KANSAS at the Fox in Atlanta and just before showtime Billy Powell and Leon Wilkeson showed up and joined Gary & Dale onstage for Sweet Home Alabama as the encore. The sold out crowd was stunned. After the show in a club somewhere in Atlanta that night the 1st talk was to do one show on October 20 ten years after the plane crash as a memorial to our dear friends lost in the crash.
Before any talk of who would be the singer or anything else Gary said to me " if we are going to do this I need one person to make it work" I said let's get Donny Van Zant or Ronnie Hammond of ARS to sing. Gary looked me in the eyes and said " find me Ed King ... I am not doing this without Ed King." I went on a search for Ed and found him living with his family in New Jersey and that Sept-Oct 1987 we played 32 sold out shows across the US. And the music was back on stage.
God Bless Ed King I will miss you forever.
Charlie
PS ... the radio station in St Louis was most likely KSHE and I bet they are still playing Sweet Home.
_____________________________________________________
From: Erin Cowgill
Subject: Re: The King Must Die
Hi Bob,
?
I just want to speak to the auto part of this mail.. when I was 17 and had just graduated from high-school, I bought a used Peugeot off a lot for cash and didn't even make it home. The guy sold me a car with a cracked block and he knew it. I had it towed back to the lot and they took the car but didn't give me my money back. They said I had "driven the car until it no longer ran!" I was robbed and had no one to help me get redress. Later, the guy's son (didn't know him) bought me drinks to sooth his guilt when he saw me out at a bar. That was weird. It confirmed that the guy robbed me and knew it. ?
?
I went straight to a technical school that very summer and took an auto-mechanics class. That was the best. It was fun, easy and dirty and I met some nice kids there. We had a bunch of flood-totaled cars and all the work was supervised so teachers brought us unloaded new trucks and cars and we put in the air-conditioning, power-steering, etc. We took the blocks out and cleaned the rods, pistons, rings.. and put them back.. it was really a blast. I miss it and feel sad at times that the new cars aren't fixable in that same way. So far I haven't been ripped off again.. only caught one guy trying. ?
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But it's still a thought if you want to save money.. find a school and give the kids a try. We were motivated and proud. I still get joy whenever I smell anything resembling creosote. ?
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That skill came in handy all the way through the 90s (changing my own oil, brakes, thermostat, plugs.. changing a tire lickety-split on the side of the road in heels and a dress without hesitating).. in the 80s in New Orleans, I changed the power steering belt in a co-worker's Delta 88 on my lunch break in the parking lot and was dubbed a 'YUMMY' by one of our club members.. Young Urban Mechanic. Ten weeks of class really paid for itself. Oh.. and if you know anyone at an art-school big metals dept.. I built steel holders for my exhaust system (BMW) for free using the workshop at an art-school in MA. They were better than the originals. I really miss all those connections. Not many things feel better than being able to solve your own problems. ?
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Glad you got out of that on a successful note! You solved yours with your wits. ?
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Erin?
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From: Seymour Stein
Subject: Fwd: Seymour Stein-This Week's Podcast
Mentoring taught and helped me achieve what I accomplished at Sire. Had many great mentors; Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler, Ahmet's brother Nesuhi, Paul Ackerman and Tom Noonan at Billboard, George Goldner at Red Bird and others.
That said, Syd Nathan was the most important mentor in my career. That is why book is dedicated to him.
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From: Whitten Pell
Subject: RE: More Mumbai
I went to India for King Fisher beer, who wanted to bring some "western artists" to play in a few cities. This was in the late 80's, and even then just about everything, even right down to power, would need in every case need to be shipped in from another country. The infrastructure was simply not there.
Now the interesting part was while looking at one cricket stadium in Bangalore, home of King Fisher, I noticed maybe 20 or so folks on their knees just picking at the grass. I asked what they were doing and I was told cutting the grass by hand....why? Fuel cost would be more expensive and their abundance of labor so inexpensive, let alone need for employment, was the answer.
Now the side story...Upon arrival we stayed at The Taj, near the Gateway. It is 5 am and I am not going to sleep, so head out on the street. Within minutes folks are surrounding me wanting to sell be trinkets and whatever. Me? I wanted a small bit of hash. I found a guy, he said $20 US and he would be right back...talk about the value of the $ to the Rube....he brings me back the brick of hash.
End of story.....................
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Subject: Re: Re-Aretha
In the mid-80's Roy Thomas Baker had enough clout that he was able to request information from Atlantic Records about how "those old soul tunes" were recorded, and actually be taken seriously. They sent their chief engineer, at the time, into the tape vault to cull out some of the gems that reside there. He made a cassette tape using these tapes and him narrating, with inside info into how they were created. Aretha's "Respect" was among them. He explained that it was an eight track recording: Bass drum, drum overhead, bass, guitar, horns, back-ground singers, piano, and Aretha's vocal. There were a number of intriguing bits of info about each track, and it was a kick to hear the raw elements that went into making such a masterpiece. When he got to the piano track, I noticed that there was vocal bleed from Aretha's vocal, and Aretha's vocal track also had piano bleed. I thought "Yeah well, multi-million selling record or not, I bet the engineer wishes he could take those tracks back and do a better job of isolation." Right about that time, the narrator chimed in with "And the reason there's so much bleed between the piano and her vocal is because she is playing the piano part while recording the vocal." Would this - could this - EVER happen today!? What a talent!
Ken McKim
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Subject: Aretha and ToP
Hi Bob:
Some time ago you wrote some very nice things about some of the lyrics to a couple of our songs with Tower of Power.
Seeing all of the media attention over the passing of Aretha I'm writing to tell you that I thought you nailed it with your comments about the Queen of Soul. Aretha profoundly influenced Tower of Power throughout the years and opening for her that weekend at the Fillmore West, back in the early 70's, was a highlight in our career. One of the greatest memories in my life happened during that weekend when she looked me straight in the eye and said "Tower of Power, my favorite band!!!". I just melted right there in front of her. I'm not so naive that I believe we actually were her favorite, but for that small moment, in the doorway to the backstage dressing room, she was gracious and kind enough to lay that compliment on a starry eyed 21 year old kid. I look forward to seeing her in the eternal heavens, along with so many whom she helped to know the Lord, and I thank you for your comments about her.
Emilio Castillo - Bandleader for Tower of Power
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Subject: Aretha Franklin
I had the pleasure of meeting Aretha Franklin multiple times as I was Curtis Mayfield's Manager and Partner for 30 years until his death.
Curtis wrote and produced the Sparkle album and soundtrack at the request of Warner Bros Films. I called Aretha about singing the soundtrack and she said yes. Curtis was so moved that he told me I don't have to tell Aretha anything all I have to do is send her the music and lyrics.
Aretha came to our studio in Chicago and cut her vocals in a few days. Curtis was so moved by her vocal performance he said this was a smash album. Everyone that heard the tapes felt the same way. Well, it was hit!
Then, Ahmet Ertegun called me about ten months later to request that Curtis does a new album with Aretha. Curtis quickly agreed when I told him and that album became "Almighty Fire." Another hit album.
When, I put together the Curtis Mayfield Tribute album for Warner Bros Records at the request of Mo Ostin. Every artist of the album from Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Whitney Houston, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder and the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin not only accepted but each new which Curtis song they wanted to sing. Not one of them asked to reimbursed for their recording session and costs. Each one told me to tell Curtis to keep it and thanks.
Curtis's response to me was " Even though I am a paralyzed my eyes are open to all of these artists who not only agreed to be on the album but their performances were wonderful. God Bless them!"
Aretha rest in peace.
Marvin Heiman
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From: Louise Goffin
Subject: Re: Aretha
Bob, thank you for citing all those amazing Aretha records.
Aretha forged her own unique path.
Her power was like a pure-bred stallion. She knew it, she owned it. God bless her and all she gave us. The industry as we knew it was built on a foundation of authentic artists. Tapestry wasn't made around a marketing plan. Great heartfelt songs transcend the best laid plans. R.I.P.
Queen of Soul.
P.S. I had a fun story about The Kennedy Center Honors.
http://read.tidal.com/article/louise-goffin-recalls-a-close-encounter-with-aretha-franklin
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Subject: RE: Re-Aretha
Bob,
I promoted Aretha's concerts in Los Angeles several times. Musically she was a consummate professional every time. In 2011 at the Microsoft Theater show we brought Pinks Hot Dogs backstage for her and her crew. At the top of the show she sang a song, then stopped to tell the audience how nice we were to bring in Pinks, how great tasting the hot dogs were and next she told her crew to bring out Pinks to the people sitting in the crowd. A dozen Ree Ree fans got to eat the food from backstage that night. That was a first.
Also, she still hired H.B. Barnum as her musical director each time. He is someone who you might want to read up about and interview. Another musical legend.
Susan Rosenbluth
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Subject: Re: Westfield Century City
Hi Bob, glad you enjoyed your visit to Westfield Century City. You're right, the mall when done the right way is definitely not dying.
My Dad, a holocaust survivor, started Westfield in 1960 in Sydney Australia. He, my 2 brothers and I collectively put in 157 years of working life building the company before recently selling it. I guess you could say another overnight success.
The mall business is a bloody tough game, but if you ask me, not as tough as the music business !
David Lowy
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From: Richard Griffiths
Subject: Re: Touring vs. Labels
We love ticket counts, but merch per head is the true barometer of how your act is doing.
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Subject: "The Jacket" co-writer
Hi Bob!
I got an email forwarded to me by my mom this morning from her dear musician friend in NYC that she told me contained some "nice comments" on The Jacket, a song I co-wrote with Ashley McBryde and Neal Coty. I thought I would open the email to find a copy and paste job of a few mildly pleasant YouTube comments, so imagine my surprise when I scrolled down and started reading a very generous write up from a man whose blog we studied in school as the gold standard of industry analysis.
I can't thank you enough for taking the time to listen to the song and share your enthusiasm! I know how much it takes to get someone to track 5 of an album these days, which is also a testament to Ashley's talent and the skill and talent of the other writers, musicians, and producers involved in this project. We sit in stuffy little rooms every day and dream big dreams with our friends while we write these songs and it means so much when they finally reach the world to such a warm welcome as yours.
Thank you,
Olivia Rudeen
P.S. If you get a chance to talk to Ashley about it, you should have her tell you about how the eponymous jacket was stolen from her car in East Nashville a few months before the release of the album. Maybe they'll get a Jacket, Part 2 out of it.
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Subject: Re: Mailbag
Kenny Lee Lewis,
Don Nix isn't was......Don IS in Memphis. Long time friend. Spoke to him yesterday. He introduced me to Leon when we were both in LA in '65. Also spent time with him at Leon's Skyhill Drive home. To say we had some good times is an understatement
David Fleischman
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From: Doug Pomerantz
Subject: Re: Oscar Changes
Real simple.... Move the Oscars to Netflix!
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Subject: Re: Panic! At The Disco At Staples
Yes, the future is here and it's all on the Internet. Panic got signed by posting 2 demos on Pete Wentz's live journal in 2005 before the band had even played a show!
Bden was always larger than life, part of the reason the original lineup imploded. I do believe he will go on to do things greater than P!ATD and I hope the best for him in the unusual life that is stardom.
- Jon Walker (formerly of P!ATD)
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From: Matthew Whiting
Subject: Re: Panic! At The Disco At Staples
I'm so glad you've discovered our lord and savior Brendon Urie!
I worked the PR on his solo record in Australia, Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!
Media wouldn't have a bare of it, industry barely gave him the time of day because it wasn't A Fever You Can't Sweat Out or Pretty. Odd.
His inclusion on the Soundwave 2013 (maybe 14?) bill felt forced and but holy hell, none of his fans would believe it. He was the second coming. Fans were out in droves, they were screaming for him and when he was on stage (or camera) you would know why. Pure brilliant star quality. Emo had died and Panic! was surviving when My Chemical Romance and The Used were struggling, Fall Out Boy had become a heartless pop band and Paramore was the closest thing to breathing in the fallout of Myspace.
But even then there wasn't a place for him here in Aus.
But now, he's Justin T unhinged, he doesn't need to play the ex boy band because he survived without making PG-13 hits. (Fuck A) Silver Lining.
I don't do the Warner Music/Atlantic dance anymore, but it's amazing to see him thrive.
Welcome to the fandom.
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Subject: Here's one for ya
Back in the 1970s, my band, JAMES GANG, was working in Los Angeles. We were recording or doing some live performances, I can't remember which. We were staying at the Hyatt House, and used to occasionally eat breakfast in their restaurant. Al Kooper was a good friend to the band, and we had known him since the Blues Project days. One day, he wandered into the restaurant for a bowl of soup, and sat down with us to talk. During the course of the conversation, he mentioned that he was working with "a young group" and felt very strongly about them. He asked if we wanted to take a ride up to his house for a listen. A couple of us thought that was a great idea, so we rode up to Al's house. I think he was renting the place from David Cassidy, and what I remember most is that there was not a stick of furniture in the place (I assumed he had just moved in), but he had a pair of gargantuan speakers…"Voice of the Theaters" or something like that). We gathered around the cassette machine and Al hit "play" on the demo for "Sweet Home Alabama", by Lynyrd Skynyrd, of course. I remember it perfectly to this day, and have to agree that sometimes, a hit is a hit!! PERIOD. WOW!!!!!!!
Jimmy Fox
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Subject: Re: You're On Your Own
Hey Bob,
40+ years on the road as a tech.
I have no interest in pop music live- nothing seen or heard is produced live, so no point & no interest.
I worked for an singer who went from 15% track ( percussion, key pads, BGV's) to almost all track over the past years. even show stopping raging guitar solo...ho hum.
I worked StageCoach and on the mane stage all day there were 2 acts live (playing to under 100 people)-
The memo says you want big crowds and a big sound and big show you get a couple of macs and hire your band based on head shots ( which is why there is always a formula to the look- you know the one dude with tight black pants, chain wallet, and doc martins and spiky hair, maybe a tshirt with tats all over it..doing a pogo off to the side)
One of the big shows out this summer doesn't even have a bass player replicant on the stage- flashy lights and dancers to distract.
...and why the long build when you can buy 10000 hours and install in on your mac and give the pa a stereo feed..also time code to run lights, prompters and video...
now you are where if the mac crashes the show stops (check your playback sample rate... VH, and make sure the hard drive sudden motion sensor is off or the sub bass will park the harddrive & make sure the IP addressing is unique if you network into lights and/or motion control)
Luckily I am aging out and still have clients who play live and can support me a middle class living (not in NYC or Westside LA) and will keep me going for a few years yet- as long as I still make lobby call.
The thrill of live performance is when somebody goofs and they have to find a way to fix it- you see everyone snap to attention and work it out- that is fun ( for me)
Wandering over to look at jam band world, they are always out there and working and playing live...it may be the same 10000 people each show but they keep on coming.
Maybe that is the Savior- industry papers show musical instrument sales rebounding
I do have tech Pals working some of the pop shows, it's not a music show its a multimedia with cast members and props instead of instruments...and sometimes you hear a live vocal...sometimes not.
Milli and Paula were eviscerated for tracks, Janet and Britney and etc etc made it acceptable to an audience who doesn't treasure spontaneous excellence and will cheer for flashy flash distractions over top of the songs they already own.
OK, off to push 23 road cases into position and spend 3 hours wiring just to make sure the guitar sounds right tonight...while the other band techs do similar and the special mics are positioned just so and the PA tuned for the venue...aside from lights and visual elements, it'll be at least 6 hours to be show ready so the band can call any song they like at soundcheck and play it through.
Live music.
cheers, TS
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Subject: Re: Paul McCartney At The Capitol Congress
Bob
Perhaps Sir Paul should have sang All You Need Is Luck....
I left San Diego and my High School band Jan 85 and moved to LA to make it and I was homeless by Aug 85. I met David O from the Plimsouls and his pal Rick Perrotta who owned Baby O Studios in Hollywood. Rick liked me and was kind enough to give me a break by letting me sleep on the couch in one of the studios at Baby O in exchange for cleaning up and running their rehearsal room. My clothes were all in plastics glad bags and it was the worst summer this surfer had ever experienced.
While hanging out there I had no shame so I would introduce myself to rockstars in the studio and tell them I play guitar...Most would tell me to fuck off or like Gene Simmons just ice me with a blank stare BUT George Clinton was cool to me when he just said...ok. Well that night at 3 am I was sleeping in the sofa in Studio B and David Spradley ( who was cutting with George Clinton) woke me and asked if I would come in and try some guitar....I jumped up and went into the studio with my 200 dollar guitar and lost my entire mind knowing that George was outside the box and it worked.
I got my first session check from Capital Records and my life would never be the same.
Sure I had skills but everyone needs a little LUCK. I often think when walking through a casino at 3am and seeing a band singing Lady's Night with 4 people on the dance floor Man that could have been me if not for a little luck.
If George Clinton had not helped me I would have never worked with all the greats that I have been lucky enough to play with and that's including Mick Jagger the king himself. If not for George Clinton and that lucky break I'm sure George Harrison would never have sat at my table in a club and bought me drinks....Mind blowing!!!
Yep Bob your right...Skills and preparation are a must but without luck you are just another killer with no audience.
Stevie Salas
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From: Eric Bazilian
Subject: Re: Paul McCartney At The Capitol Congress
Your description of your meeting with Paul mirrors mine and brings a smile. In December 1987 The Hooters were on tour in the US supporting the album that began our decline in the US but kick started the career in Europe that pretty much sustains us today (40 years in 2020). We were headlining a show in Winston-Salem, NC, when we were informed that Satellite, the second single from the album (and a definite oddball of a track) had gone ballistic in the UK and that we'd be flying to London the next day to perform on Top Of The Pops.
Because of Union rules or some such, rehearsal was early in the day, followed by a break of several hours. On our way to the studio we were told that one of the other guests on the show was Paul McCartney. Gasps all around, and within minutes we walked in to the BBC building to see My First Favorite Beatle onstage with his band, including not only Linda but Nigel Kennedy, who was on the cusp of his career as an alt-punk-classical violin maestro. Striking was the fact that, even though Top Of The Pops was an all-playback show (as opposed to other shows which featured live vocals over "TV tracks"), Paul and band were plugged in, playing and singing live OVER the full playback, just because it's more fun that way.
After their rehearsal ended I stood back while all the various crew and local admirers swarmed Paul, figuring that if I got a clear shot I'd go in for a quick handshake and hello. The window finally opened and I made my approach, hand outstretched, managing to get out the words, "hi, I'm Eric from..." before he finished the sentence for me... "ah, from The Hooters, I recognize you from your video! Linda, come meet Eric!", in exactly the voice I'd had in my head since the Ed Sullivan show.
Linda came over, absolutely delightful, admiring my jacket (a Yamamoto that I'd gotten in Paris and was later stolen from the stage at the Paradiso in Amsterdam), we took the obligatory photos with all the band, at which point they invited me back to the dressing room, where we had the long break before show time. Now, it's a given that every musician of our generation had his/her list of 'questions if I ever meet a Beatle', and mine were mostly gear-geeky. I gingerly asked Paul which guitar he'd played the Taxman solo on ('it was the Epiphone, I suppose'), which amp (a Vox, I'd imagine), and whether there was a distortion pedal involved ('sounds like it, doesn't it?). His genuinely enthusiastic answers opened the door to a barrage of conversation, in which he asked me similar questions about our band and record. A total mensch and a gentleman. Linda was there the entire time, filling in details that Paul had neglected. Nigel Kennedy was also welcoming, we had a great conversation about the life of a classical musician in a pop world, he even let me play his Stradivarius (during which I learned about the practice of Patronship, in which a wealthy, often anonymous, sponsor provides an instrument to a promoting young talent which they will eventually pay off, to a greater or lesser degree). I eventually ran out of questions and witty banter, but, as with the Queen, I felt uncomfortable leaving the dressing room without being given leave, so to speak. Eventually we all dispersed, but not before both Paul and Linda gave me the office phone number and an invitation to 'come visit the farm'.
I actually did call that number once, left a message of some sort. At times I wish I'd been more proactive about taking them up on their offer but, in hindsight, I suppose it was best that I simply let it be. (See what I did there?)
And that's Paul, Sir Paul, the real living and breathing Big Bang of all the good that's left in what we've become.
My apologies for going on at such length, but my memory of this Peak Life Experience is so crystal clear, and this is just the 'single version'.
Next time maybe I'll tell you about George and Ringo (equally positive and life-affirming).
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Subject: Re: Ed King
Hey Bob-
Great post about Skynyrd. However I didn't know Ed King other than in passing but I grew up in Macon and Jacksonville and I knew the early Skynyrd band pretty well. My parents were living in Jacksonville and I went to HS at Landon, on the other side of town from Robert E Lee where they went. I started college at the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1965 and lived there until 1975. There was a music scene going on there that was really amazing. Lots of players and lots of hippies and rednecks alike who loved live music. Some you would know like Mudcrutch, The Allman's, Skynyrd, Cowboy, Second Coming, Rotary Connection were all around. Others like Ides Of March, RGF, Purlee, Celebration, Dark Star, Road Turkey, The Maundy Quintet and more were all great live bands who cut their teeth in the bars, frat parties and private concerts at people's houses and farms. There was always something happening. Several of the unknown bands had members who eventually became famous:
Mudcrutch - Tom Petty & Benmont Tench (TP & Heartbreakers)
Power - Danny Roberts (Mudcrutch)
Road Turkey - Marty Jourard (Motels)
RGF - Jeff Jourard (Motels), Ron Blair (Tom Petty)
Maundy Quintet - Bernie Leadon & Don Felder (Eagles)
Purlee - Zeke Zirngiebel & Marty Stinger (Warren Zevon), Bob Harris (Zevon & Frank Zappa)
I played bass & sang in Dark Star. We played tons of gigs including several of these concert-parties with Mudcrutch and Skynyrd. We were all playing original music and all had our own followings. The audiences were stoned on pot, cheap wine and/or mushrooms and really knew how to party. It was a special time and that time period started what became Southern Rock.
In April of 1972 there was a large 2 day festival held out at a farm in Archer, probably 20 minutes southwest of Gainesville. It was north Florida's answer to Woodstock. Pretty much all of the great local bands were there and it was a great scene. My band, Dark Star, played at dawn on Sunday morning right after Skynyrd played an amazing set. There was something incredibly inspiring about the sunrise, tho I'm sure what was probably a thousand people in the audience and some great pot helped, and we played better than we ever had. A promoter was there who was putting on a smaller festival in Jacksonville in a few months with Skynyrd as the headliner and he asked if we wanted to open & of course we said yes.
The day of the Jacksonville festival came and we played a pretty good set to an audience of 200-300 people in the late afternoon on a hot Florida summer afternoon. Skynyrd played their set to a great response and that was the day. As we all packed up, I went off to find the promoter to get our money. I was the manager for our band and I knew nothing about contracts and the like, I'd just shook his hand and expected to get what we'd agreed on. Quite probably $300-$400 dollars, maybe less. We were a 4 piece band it it was before the era of $100 per man. There was a little mobile trailer used as the office behind the stage & I walked in. The promoter was there along with a couple of what seemed to me to be big short haired guys. He asked me what the f*&k I wanted and I replied I as there to get our money for the gig. It's important to understand that I'm a very skinny long haired kid with a somewhat high voice. I asked again, but he cut me off, turned to his buddies and told them that we were finished here. Needless to say I retreated.
I walked back over to our guys and Ronnie Van Zant came over to me to complement us on our show. We'd known each other to some extent, he could tell I wasn't too happy and asked what was up. I described what happened and he said; "Follow me". Ronnie was a short guy kind of built like a fireplug and definitely not someone I would want to mess with and he seemed pretty pissed off. I followed him back to the trailer and inside. The promoter looked surprised to see us and asked what was up. Ronnie said something along the lines of "Give the kid his money!" The promoter started to mutter something and the two guys acted antsy, and Ronnie repeated himself. The promoter looked at Ronnie, reached into a briefcase on the desk and tossed some money at me. I picked it up, not even counting it. Ronnie looked over at me and said something like, see you later kid. I took that as my orders to get out and he stayed. Our gear was all packed so we said our byes to the Skynyrd boys and left. I only saw Ronnie one other time, I think in Atlanta some time in '73. Probably at the park downtown. He remembered the incident and we laughed about it. as best I remember I think they played Sweet Home Alabama and of course they must have played their guitar tour de force Free Bird. That was a long time ago and remembered through a fog of pot smoke.
I kept playing all through the years, attending the University of Miami to get a degree in jazz Performance, moving to New York touring with a reunion version of BS&T and Buddy Rich in the mid-80's and still keep at it. But those were some special days that I remember fondly.
Keep up the good work man… I read most all of your emails.
Al
Al Hospers
Sounds Clever & the Valley Horns
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Subject: Kaskade podcast
On a plane trip just now, I just listened to your Kaskade podcast, only the second one I have been able to listen to. Spellbound, listening and I know nothing about EDM.
I flew helicopters for 47 years, first in the Army in Vietnam, then the last 29 years flying medical helicopters all over California. I put in my 10,000 hours and a lot more. Helicopters don't just fall out of the sky. They may, just like very occasionally airliners do. They can be flown as safely as airliners, think of Marine One flying the president; mostly they are not. The missions they fly, and lower standards of safe operations in the helicopter industry cause the much higher accident rate.
Please tell Kaskade to ensure his wife, whom he mentioned was learning to be a helicopter pilot and fly him and the family , always has a safety pilot and they only fly twin-engine helicopters. You simply can not be a top pilot without concentrated training, thousands of hours of flying, and current and ongoing flight experience. 10,000 hours or more, on the ground, in the air and in your brain. No airlines fly single engine aircraft; there must be some logic in there, extra engines cost a bunch. Would you really bet there life on flying with a single engine? Kaskade should not. Why would anyone want to fly without a top rated pilot? I wouldn't and will not allow my family to either.
A few decades back, I was walking past my neighbors house on a jaunt with my dog. His helicopter was landing on his basketball court under the command of his airplane pilot, recently transitioned into helicopters. I made a note to myself to drop a letter into his mailbox, offering a safety audit of his helicopter operations. Gratis. I knew the complexity and unknowns about operating a helicopter safely that he did not seem to realize. A few nights later, while on duty as the chief pilot for Stanford university's medical helicopter, I were called out to a helicopter crash in the northern Bay Area. I flew the best helicopter available—twin-engine, instrument flight capable, weather radar a crew of 3, and a defined go, no go, launch matrix. I declined the flight, even with all that, and over 20 years helicopter flight experience. That night, my neighbor Bill Graham—the rock promoter—and two others died. I regretted not writing that letter to him.
Hopefully, I won't read about another senseless helicopter crash.
Regards,
Steve Greene
Sent from Captain Stephen Hood Greene's iPad...
This piece made me very happy, Bob. During the soundcheck I turned to a younger co-worker next to me and said, "...and all of those sounds are actually coming from the band!" They even count themselves in, instead of clips or digital tracks counting them in. Mick Fleetwood on drums sounded incredible. And the whole band looked so happy to be performing together. It was a booking Jonny Norman, our Co-EP and music booker wanted so badly, and it was so much fun.
Ed Glavin
Exec. Producer, The Ellen Show
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Subject: Re: The Chain
Longtime fan, first time caller!
Thanks for this Bob, I'm the Music Producer at Ellen, and this booking was
15 years in the making, and let me tell you, they were incredible. I wish
you had been in the room, because it was electric. They sounded not only better than ever, they sounded fresh, like a new band. I?m not sure even the band thought it could be possible, that they could reinvent the wheel at this stage of their career and succeed, but they did it.
And their work ethic. So many acts show up, perform their song, and get
right back into their car. Not these guys. They show up early, they
rehearse, they stay long after to make sure it sounds great, they work
HARD. And that's why it works. And why this machine has been working for so long. They actually CARE about the music. And they?ve been smart. They have an amazing team of people around them, from the top - down. It was an extraordinary thing to be a part of and to watch them create their magic. And I'm so happy you posted our clip and felt the same way.
Best,
Jonathan
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Jonathan Norman
Co-Executive Producer
"The Ellen DeGeneres Show"
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From: Seth Godin
Subject: Re: Ignore Sunk Costs
thanks Bob!
Once you see sunk costs, they're everywhere.
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Subject: Re: Jewtropolis
Lana del Rey cancels performance in Israel bc there wasn't suitable venue for to play in West Bank. Didn't you know? Palestinians are HUGE Lana Del Rey fans! Amnesty International warns against expulsion of and violence against activists in Bahrain. Meanwhile, Bahrain is hosting an International Jazz Festival. Where is the outrage and threats and vitriol from Roger Waters, BDS and the rest of the Israel-bashers out there? While we're at it, where are the calls to make Saudi Arabia -- which just sentenced a women's rights activist to DEATH -- an international pariah? And what about Dubai/UAE, to which recording artists flock for the big paydays and obscene luxury even though the government's abysmal human rights record includes capitol punishment for homosexuality and religious apostasy? Anyone ever say a peep about the artists only too happy to drink Cristal and party the night away in this gilded bastion of conspicuous consumption? I'm no Likudnik and i hate the settler movement and Netanyahu in equal measure. However, the hypocrisy at the core of the BDS movement makes my blood boil and gives the lie to the claim that all this selective Israel bashing and anti-Zionism is not thinly veiled anti-Semitism.
Matt Greenberg
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Subject: Re: Jewtropolis
Mr. Lefsetz,
You're spot on about Roger Waters.
Few people realize just how rotten Hamas is. They refer to one of Hitlers favorite books right in their very charter.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contemporary_imprints_of_The_Protocols_of_the_Elders_of_Zion#Hamas
It should be more widely known.
I always figure that we should focus on Israel's problems after Roger Waters gives his Long Island mansion back to the Native American tribe that no doubt lived there in the last few hundred years.
I figure the Jewish people have far more historical right to Israel than Americans to America. The college kids should give back their land grant university land back to the local native tribe then we can talk about Israel.
Sincerely,
Bill Mericle
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Subject: Re: Jewtropolis
Bob,
If you ever feel the need to throw up in your mouth ask a pro Trump Jew how they can support a President that courts Nazi's and white supremacists. The crap they will come up with to explain away the common ground they share with people that want to murder them is unreal. It's as if they forgot what their fathers or grandfathers fought for in WWII.
We don't need no Rodger Waters.
Neal Berz
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From: Charlie Brusco
Subject: Re: Ed King
I first met Ed King in Feb 1974 in Nashville when the Outlaws played the 1st of hundreds of shows with Lynyrd Skynyrd between that night and 1977. The Outlaws were the special guests on the entire Torture Tour. During those years there was a very special bond between Outlaws, Skynyrd, Charlie Daniels and Marshall Tucker. A strong mix of friendship and rivalry. When Ed left the Torture Tour abruptly Hughie Thomasson and Billy Jones of the Outlaws stepped up every night to add a third guitar at Ronnie's urging.
In 1987 I was promoting in Atlanta and managing Gary and Dale's new group simply named Rossington who were signed to Atlantic by Ahmet. They were opening for KANSAS at the Fox in Atlanta and just before showtime Billy Powell and Leon Wilkeson showed up and joined Gary & Dale onstage for Sweet Home Alabama as the encore. The sold out crowd was stunned. After the show in a club somewhere in Atlanta that night the 1st talk was to do one show on October 20 ten years after the plane crash as a memorial to our dear friends lost in the crash.
Before any talk of who would be the singer or anything else Gary said to me " if we are going to do this I need one person to make it work" I said let's get Donny Van Zant or Ronnie Hammond of ARS to sing. Gary looked me in the eyes and said " find me Ed King ... I am not doing this without Ed King." I went on a search for Ed and found him living with his family in New Jersey and that Sept-Oct 1987 we played 32 sold out shows across the US. And the music was back on stage.
God Bless Ed King I will miss you forever.
Charlie
PS ... the radio station in St Louis was most likely KSHE and I bet they are still playing Sweet Home.
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From: Erin Cowgill
Subject: Re: The King Must Die
Hi Bob,
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I just want to speak to the auto part of this mail.. when I was 17 and had just graduated from high-school, I bought a used Peugeot off a lot for cash and didn't even make it home. The guy sold me a car with a cracked block and he knew it. I had it towed back to the lot and they took the car but didn't give me my money back. They said I had "driven the car until it no longer ran!" I was robbed and had no one to help me get redress. Later, the guy's son (didn't know him) bought me drinks to sooth his guilt when he saw me out at a bar. That was weird. It confirmed that the guy robbed me and knew it. ?
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I went straight to a technical school that very summer and took an auto-mechanics class. That was the best. It was fun, easy and dirty and I met some nice kids there. We had a bunch of flood-totaled cars and all the work was supervised so teachers brought us unloaded new trucks and cars and we put in the air-conditioning, power-steering, etc. We took the blocks out and cleaned the rods, pistons, rings.. and put them back.. it was really a blast. I miss it and feel sad at times that the new cars aren't fixable in that same way. So far I haven't been ripped off again.. only caught one guy trying. ?
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But it's still a thought if you want to save money.. find a school and give the kids a try. We were motivated and proud. I still get joy whenever I smell anything resembling creosote. ?
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That skill came in handy all the way through the 90s (changing my own oil, brakes, thermostat, plugs.. changing a tire lickety-split on the side of the road in heels and a dress without hesitating).. in the 80s in New Orleans, I changed the power steering belt in a co-worker's Delta 88 on my lunch break in the parking lot and was dubbed a 'YUMMY' by one of our club members.. Young Urban Mechanic. Ten weeks of class really paid for itself. Oh.. and if you know anyone at an art-school big metals dept.. I built steel holders for my exhaust system (BMW) for free using the workshop at an art-school in MA. They were better than the originals. I really miss all those connections. Not many things feel better than being able to solve your own problems. ?
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Glad you got out of that on a successful note! You solved yours with your wits. ?
?
Erin?
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From: Seymour Stein
Subject: Fwd: Seymour Stein-This Week's Podcast
Mentoring taught and helped me achieve what I accomplished at Sire. Had many great mentors; Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler, Ahmet's brother Nesuhi, Paul Ackerman and Tom Noonan at Billboard, George Goldner at Red Bird and others.
That said, Syd Nathan was the most important mentor in my career. That is why book is dedicated to him.
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From: Whitten Pell
Subject: RE: More Mumbai
I went to India for King Fisher beer, who wanted to bring some "western artists" to play in a few cities. This was in the late 80's, and even then just about everything, even right down to power, would need in every case need to be shipped in from another country. The infrastructure was simply not there.
Now the interesting part was while looking at one cricket stadium in Bangalore, home of King Fisher, I noticed maybe 20 or so folks on their knees just picking at the grass. I asked what they were doing and I was told cutting the grass by hand....why? Fuel cost would be more expensive and their abundance of labor so inexpensive, let alone need for employment, was the answer.
Now the side story...Upon arrival we stayed at The Taj, near the Gateway. It is 5 am and I am not going to sleep, so head out on the street. Within minutes folks are surrounding me wanting to sell be trinkets and whatever. Me? I wanted a small bit of hash. I found a guy, he said $20 US and he would be right back...talk about the value of the $ to the Rube....he brings me back the brick of hash.
End of story.....................
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Subject: Re: Re-Aretha
In the mid-80's Roy Thomas Baker had enough clout that he was able to request information from Atlantic Records about how "those old soul tunes" were recorded, and actually be taken seriously. They sent their chief engineer, at the time, into the tape vault to cull out some of the gems that reside there. He made a cassette tape using these tapes and him narrating, with inside info into how they were created. Aretha's "Respect" was among them. He explained that it was an eight track recording: Bass drum, drum overhead, bass, guitar, horns, back-ground singers, piano, and Aretha's vocal. There were a number of intriguing bits of info about each track, and it was a kick to hear the raw elements that went into making such a masterpiece. When he got to the piano track, I noticed that there was vocal bleed from Aretha's vocal, and Aretha's vocal track also had piano bleed. I thought "Yeah well, multi-million selling record or not, I bet the engineer wishes he could take those tracks back and do a better job of isolation." Right about that time, the narrator chimed in with "And the reason there's so much bleed between the piano and her vocal is because she is playing the piano part while recording the vocal." Would this - could this - EVER happen today!? What a talent!
Ken McKim
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Subject: Aretha and ToP
Hi Bob:
Some time ago you wrote some very nice things about some of the lyrics to a couple of our songs with Tower of Power.
Seeing all of the media attention over the passing of Aretha I'm writing to tell you that I thought you nailed it with your comments about the Queen of Soul. Aretha profoundly influenced Tower of Power throughout the years and opening for her that weekend at the Fillmore West, back in the early 70's, was a highlight in our career. One of the greatest memories in my life happened during that weekend when she looked me straight in the eye and said "Tower of Power, my favorite band!!!". I just melted right there in front of her. I'm not so naive that I believe we actually were her favorite, but for that small moment, in the doorway to the backstage dressing room, she was gracious and kind enough to lay that compliment on a starry eyed 21 year old kid. I look forward to seeing her in the eternal heavens, along with so many whom she helped to know the Lord, and I thank you for your comments about her.
Emilio Castillo - Bandleader for Tower of Power
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Subject: Aretha Franklin
I had the pleasure of meeting Aretha Franklin multiple times as I was Curtis Mayfield's Manager and Partner for 30 years until his death.
Curtis wrote and produced the Sparkle album and soundtrack at the request of Warner Bros Films. I called Aretha about singing the soundtrack and she said yes. Curtis was so moved that he told me I don't have to tell Aretha anything all I have to do is send her the music and lyrics.
Aretha came to our studio in Chicago and cut her vocals in a few days. Curtis was so moved by her vocal performance he said this was a smash album. Everyone that heard the tapes felt the same way. Well, it was hit!
Then, Ahmet Ertegun called me about ten months later to request that Curtis does a new album with Aretha. Curtis quickly agreed when I told him and that album became "Almighty Fire." Another hit album.
When, I put together the Curtis Mayfield Tribute album for Warner Bros Records at the request of Mo Ostin. Every artist of the album from Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Whitney Houston, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder and the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin not only accepted but each new which Curtis song they wanted to sing. Not one of them asked to reimbursed for their recording session and costs. Each one told me to tell Curtis to keep it and thanks.
Curtis's response to me was " Even though I am a paralyzed my eyes are open to all of these artists who not only agreed to be on the album but their performances were wonderful. God Bless them!"
Aretha rest in peace.
Marvin Heiman
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From: Louise Goffin
Subject: Re: Aretha
Bob, thank you for citing all those amazing Aretha records.
Aretha forged her own unique path.
Her power was like a pure-bred stallion. She knew it, she owned it. God bless her and all she gave us. The industry as we knew it was built on a foundation of authentic artists. Tapestry wasn't made around a marketing plan. Great heartfelt songs transcend the best laid plans. R.I.P.
Queen of Soul.
P.S. I had a fun story about The Kennedy Center Honors.
http://read.tidal.com/article/louise-goffin-recalls-a-close-encounter-with-aretha-franklin
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Subject: RE: Re-Aretha
Bob,
I promoted Aretha's concerts in Los Angeles several times. Musically she was a consummate professional every time. In 2011 at the Microsoft Theater show we brought Pinks Hot Dogs backstage for her and her crew. At the top of the show she sang a song, then stopped to tell the audience how nice we were to bring in Pinks, how great tasting the hot dogs were and next she told her crew to bring out Pinks to the people sitting in the crowd. A dozen Ree Ree fans got to eat the food from backstage that night. That was a first.
Also, she still hired H.B. Barnum as her musical director each time. He is someone who you might want to read up about and interview. Another musical legend.
Susan Rosenbluth
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Subject: Re: Westfield Century City
Hi Bob, glad you enjoyed your visit to Westfield Century City. You're right, the mall when done the right way is definitely not dying.
My Dad, a holocaust survivor, started Westfield in 1960 in Sydney Australia. He, my 2 brothers and I collectively put in 157 years of working life building the company before recently selling it. I guess you could say another overnight success.
The mall business is a bloody tough game, but if you ask me, not as tough as the music business !
David Lowy
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From: Richard Griffiths
Subject: Re: Touring vs. Labels
We love ticket counts, but merch per head is the true barometer of how your act is doing.
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Subject: "The Jacket" co-writer
Hi Bob!
I got an email forwarded to me by my mom this morning from her dear musician friend in NYC that she told me contained some "nice comments" on The Jacket, a song I co-wrote with Ashley McBryde and Neal Coty. I thought I would open the email to find a copy and paste job of a few mildly pleasant YouTube comments, so imagine my surprise when I scrolled down and started reading a very generous write up from a man whose blog we studied in school as the gold standard of industry analysis.
I can't thank you enough for taking the time to listen to the song and share your enthusiasm! I know how much it takes to get someone to track 5 of an album these days, which is also a testament to Ashley's talent and the skill and talent of the other writers, musicians, and producers involved in this project. We sit in stuffy little rooms every day and dream big dreams with our friends while we write these songs and it means so much when they finally reach the world to such a warm welcome as yours.
Thank you,
Olivia Rudeen
P.S. If you get a chance to talk to Ashley about it, you should have her tell you about how the eponymous jacket was stolen from her car in East Nashville a few months before the release of the album. Maybe they'll get a Jacket, Part 2 out of it.
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Subject: Re: Mailbag
Kenny Lee Lewis,
Don Nix isn't was......Don IS in Memphis. Long time friend. Spoke to him yesterday. He introduced me to Leon when we were both in LA in '65. Also spent time with him at Leon's Skyhill Drive home. To say we had some good times is an understatement
David Fleischman
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From: Doug Pomerantz
Subject: Re: Oscar Changes
Real simple.... Move the Oscars to Netflix!
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Subject: Re: Panic! At The Disco At Staples
Yes, the future is here and it's all on the Internet. Panic got signed by posting 2 demos on Pete Wentz's live journal in 2005 before the band had even played a show!
Bden was always larger than life, part of the reason the original lineup imploded. I do believe he will go on to do things greater than P!ATD and I hope the best for him in the unusual life that is stardom.
- Jon Walker (formerly of P!ATD)
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From: Matthew Whiting
Subject: Re: Panic! At The Disco At Staples
I'm so glad you've discovered our lord and savior Brendon Urie!
I worked the PR on his solo record in Australia, Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!
Media wouldn't have a bare of it, industry barely gave him the time of day because it wasn't A Fever You Can't Sweat Out or Pretty. Odd.
His inclusion on the Soundwave 2013 (maybe 14?) bill felt forced and but holy hell, none of his fans would believe it. He was the second coming. Fans were out in droves, they were screaming for him and when he was on stage (or camera) you would know why. Pure brilliant star quality. Emo had died and Panic! was surviving when My Chemical Romance and The Used were struggling, Fall Out Boy had become a heartless pop band and Paramore was the closest thing to breathing in the fallout of Myspace.
But even then there wasn't a place for him here in Aus.
But now, he's Justin T unhinged, he doesn't need to play the ex boy band because he survived without making PG-13 hits. (Fuck A) Silver Lining.
I don't do the Warner Music/Atlantic dance anymore, but it's amazing to see him thrive.
Welcome to the fandom.
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Subject: Here's one for ya
Back in the 1970s, my band, JAMES GANG, was working in Los Angeles. We were recording or doing some live performances, I can't remember which. We were staying at the Hyatt House, and used to occasionally eat breakfast in their restaurant. Al Kooper was a good friend to the band, and we had known him since the Blues Project days. One day, he wandered into the restaurant for a bowl of soup, and sat down with us to talk. During the course of the conversation, he mentioned that he was working with "a young group" and felt very strongly about them. He asked if we wanted to take a ride up to his house for a listen. A couple of us thought that was a great idea, so we rode up to Al's house. I think he was renting the place from David Cassidy, and what I remember most is that there was not a stick of furniture in the place (I assumed he had just moved in), but he had a pair of gargantuan speakers…"Voice of the Theaters" or something like that). We gathered around the cassette machine and Al hit "play" on the demo for "Sweet Home Alabama", by Lynyrd Skynyrd, of course. I remember it perfectly to this day, and have to agree that sometimes, a hit is a hit!! PERIOD. WOW!!!!!!!
Jimmy Fox
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Subject: Re: You're On Your Own
Hey Bob,
40+ years on the road as a tech.
I have no interest in pop music live- nothing seen or heard is produced live, so no point & no interest.
I worked for an singer who went from 15% track ( percussion, key pads, BGV's) to almost all track over the past years. even show stopping raging guitar solo...ho hum.
I worked StageCoach and on the mane stage all day there were 2 acts live (playing to under 100 people)-
The memo says you want big crowds and a big sound and big show you get a couple of macs and hire your band based on head shots ( which is why there is always a formula to the look- you know the one dude with tight black pants, chain wallet, and doc martins and spiky hair, maybe a tshirt with tats all over it..doing a pogo off to the side)
One of the big shows out this summer doesn't even have a bass player replicant on the stage- flashy lights and dancers to distract.
...and why the long build when you can buy 10000 hours and install in on your mac and give the pa a stereo feed..also time code to run lights, prompters and video...
now you are where if the mac crashes the show stops (check your playback sample rate... VH, and make sure the hard drive sudden motion sensor is off or the sub bass will park the harddrive & make sure the IP addressing is unique if you network into lights and/or motion control)
Luckily I am aging out and still have clients who play live and can support me a middle class living (not in NYC or Westside LA) and will keep me going for a few years yet- as long as I still make lobby call.
The thrill of live performance is when somebody goofs and they have to find a way to fix it- you see everyone snap to attention and work it out- that is fun ( for me)
Wandering over to look at jam band world, they are always out there and working and playing live...it may be the same 10000 people each show but they keep on coming.
Maybe that is the Savior- industry papers show musical instrument sales rebounding
I do have tech Pals working some of the pop shows, it's not a music show its a multimedia with cast members and props instead of instruments...and sometimes you hear a live vocal...sometimes not.
Milli and Paula were eviscerated for tracks, Janet and Britney and etc etc made it acceptable to an audience who doesn't treasure spontaneous excellence and will cheer for flashy flash distractions over top of the songs they already own.
OK, off to push 23 road cases into position and spend 3 hours wiring just to make sure the guitar sounds right tonight...while the other band techs do similar and the special mics are positioned just so and the PA tuned for the venue...aside from lights and visual elements, it'll be at least 6 hours to be show ready so the band can call any song they like at soundcheck and play it through.
Live music.
cheers, TS
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Subject: Re: Paul McCartney At The Capitol Congress
Bob
Perhaps Sir Paul should have sang All You Need Is Luck....
I left San Diego and my High School band Jan 85 and moved to LA to make it and I was homeless by Aug 85. I met David O from the Plimsouls and his pal Rick Perrotta who owned Baby O Studios in Hollywood. Rick liked me and was kind enough to give me a break by letting me sleep on the couch in one of the studios at Baby O in exchange for cleaning up and running their rehearsal room. My clothes were all in plastics glad bags and it was the worst summer this surfer had ever experienced.
While hanging out there I had no shame so I would introduce myself to rockstars in the studio and tell them I play guitar...Most would tell me to fuck off or like Gene Simmons just ice me with a blank stare BUT George Clinton was cool to me when he just said...ok. Well that night at 3 am I was sleeping in the sofa in Studio B and David Spradley ( who was cutting with George Clinton) woke me and asked if I would come in and try some guitar....I jumped up and went into the studio with my 200 dollar guitar and lost my entire mind knowing that George was outside the box and it worked.
I got my first session check from Capital Records and my life would never be the same.
Sure I had skills but everyone needs a little LUCK. I often think when walking through a casino at 3am and seeing a band singing Lady's Night with 4 people on the dance floor Man that could have been me if not for a little luck.
If George Clinton had not helped me I would have never worked with all the greats that I have been lucky enough to play with and that's including Mick Jagger the king himself. If not for George Clinton and that lucky break I'm sure George Harrison would never have sat at my table in a club and bought me drinks....Mind blowing!!!
Yep Bob your right...Skills and preparation are a must but without luck you are just another killer with no audience.
Stevie Salas
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From: Eric Bazilian
Subject: Re: Paul McCartney At The Capitol Congress
Your description of your meeting with Paul mirrors mine and brings a smile. In December 1987 The Hooters were on tour in the US supporting the album that began our decline in the US but kick started the career in Europe that pretty much sustains us today (40 years in 2020). We were headlining a show in Winston-Salem, NC, when we were informed that Satellite, the second single from the album (and a definite oddball of a track) had gone ballistic in the UK and that we'd be flying to London the next day to perform on Top Of The Pops.
Because of Union rules or some such, rehearsal was early in the day, followed by a break of several hours. On our way to the studio we were told that one of the other guests on the show was Paul McCartney. Gasps all around, and within minutes we walked in to the BBC building to see My First Favorite Beatle onstage with his band, including not only Linda but Nigel Kennedy, who was on the cusp of his career as an alt-punk-classical violin maestro. Striking was the fact that, even though Top Of The Pops was an all-playback show (as opposed to other shows which featured live vocals over "TV tracks"), Paul and band were plugged in, playing and singing live OVER the full playback, just because it's more fun that way.
After their rehearsal ended I stood back while all the various crew and local admirers swarmed Paul, figuring that if I got a clear shot I'd go in for a quick handshake and hello. The window finally opened and I made my approach, hand outstretched, managing to get out the words, "hi, I'm Eric from..." before he finished the sentence for me... "ah, from The Hooters, I recognize you from your video! Linda, come meet Eric!", in exactly the voice I'd had in my head since the Ed Sullivan show.
Linda came over, absolutely delightful, admiring my jacket (a Yamamoto that I'd gotten in Paris and was later stolen from the stage at the Paradiso in Amsterdam), we took the obligatory photos with all the band, at which point they invited me back to the dressing room, where we had the long break before show time. Now, it's a given that every musician of our generation had his/her list of 'questions if I ever meet a Beatle', and mine were mostly gear-geeky. I gingerly asked Paul which guitar he'd played the Taxman solo on ('it was the Epiphone, I suppose'), which amp (a Vox, I'd imagine), and whether there was a distortion pedal involved ('sounds like it, doesn't it?). His genuinely enthusiastic answers opened the door to a barrage of conversation, in which he asked me similar questions about our band and record. A total mensch and a gentleman. Linda was there the entire time, filling in details that Paul had neglected. Nigel Kennedy was also welcoming, we had a great conversation about the life of a classical musician in a pop world, he even let me play his Stradivarius (during which I learned about the practice of Patronship, in which a wealthy, often anonymous, sponsor provides an instrument to a promoting young talent which they will eventually pay off, to a greater or lesser degree). I eventually ran out of questions and witty banter, but, as with the Queen, I felt uncomfortable leaving the dressing room without being given leave, so to speak. Eventually we all dispersed, but not before both Paul and Linda gave me the office phone number and an invitation to 'come visit the farm'.
I actually did call that number once, left a message of some sort. At times I wish I'd been more proactive about taking them up on their offer but, in hindsight, I suppose it was best that I simply let it be. (See what I did there?)
And that's Paul, Sir Paul, the real living and breathing Big Bang of all the good that's left in what we've become.
My apologies for going on at such length, but my memory of this Peak Life Experience is so crystal clear, and this is just the 'single version'.
Next time maybe I'll tell you about George and Ringo (equally positive and life-affirming).
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Subject: Re: Ed King
Hey Bob-
Great post about Skynyrd. However I didn't know Ed King other than in passing but I grew up in Macon and Jacksonville and I knew the early Skynyrd band pretty well. My parents were living in Jacksonville and I went to HS at Landon, on the other side of town from Robert E Lee where they went. I started college at the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1965 and lived there until 1975. There was a music scene going on there that was really amazing. Lots of players and lots of hippies and rednecks alike who loved live music. Some you would know like Mudcrutch, The Allman's, Skynyrd, Cowboy, Second Coming, Rotary Connection were all around. Others like Ides Of March, RGF, Purlee, Celebration, Dark Star, Road Turkey, The Maundy Quintet and more were all great live bands who cut their teeth in the bars, frat parties and private concerts at people's houses and farms. There was always something happening. Several of the unknown bands had members who eventually became famous:
Mudcrutch - Tom Petty & Benmont Tench (TP & Heartbreakers)
Power - Danny Roberts (Mudcrutch)
Road Turkey - Marty Jourard (Motels)
RGF - Jeff Jourard (Motels), Ron Blair (Tom Petty)
Maundy Quintet - Bernie Leadon & Don Felder (Eagles)
Purlee - Zeke Zirngiebel & Marty Stinger (Warren Zevon), Bob Harris (Zevon & Frank Zappa)
I played bass & sang in Dark Star. We played tons of gigs including several of these concert-parties with Mudcrutch and Skynyrd. We were all playing original music and all had our own followings. The audiences were stoned on pot, cheap wine and/or mushrooms and really knew how to party. It was a special time and that time period started what became Southern Rock.
In April of 1972 there was a large 2 day festival held out at a farm in Archer, probably 20 minutes southwest of Gainesville. It was north Florida's answer to Woodstock. Pretty much all of the great local bands were there and it was a great scene. My band, Dark Star, played at dawn on Sunday morning right after Skynyrd played an amazing set. There was something incredibly inspiring about the sunrise, tho I'm sure what was probably a thousand people in the audience and some great pot helped, and we played better than we ever had. A promoter was there who was putting on a smaller festival in Jacksonville in a few months with Skynyrd as the headliner and he asked if we wanted to open & of course we said yes.
The day of the Jacksonville festival came and we played a pretty good set to an audience of 200-300 people in the late afternoon on a hot Florida summer afternoon. Skynyrd played their set to a great response and that was the day. As we all packed up, I went off to find the promoter to get our money. I was the manager for our band and I knew nothing about contracts and the like, I'd just shook his hand and expected to get what we'd agreed on. Quite probably $300-$400 dollars, maybe less. We were a 4 piece band it it was before the era of $100 per man. There was a little mobile trailer used as the office behind the stage & I walked in. The promoter was there along with a couple of what seemed to me to be big short haired guys. He asked me what the f*&k I wanted and I replied I as there to get our money for the gig. It's important to understand that I'm a very skinny long haired kid with a somewhat high voice. I asked again, but he cut me off, turned to his buddies and told them that we were finished here. Needless to say I retreated.
I walked back over to our guys and Ronnie Van Zant came over to me to complement us on our show. We'd known each other to some extent, he could tell I wasn't too happy and asked what was up. I described what happened and he said; "Follow me". Ronnie was a short guy kind of built like a fireplug and definitely not someone I would want to mess with and he seemed pretty pissed off. I followed him back to the trailer and inside. The promoter looked surprised to see us and asked what was up. Ronnie said something along the lines of "Give the kid his money!" The promoter started to mutter something and the two guys acted antsy, and Ronnie repeated himself. The promoter looked at Ronnie, reached into a briefcase on the desk and tossed some money at me. I picked it up, not even counting it. Ronnie looked over at me and said something like, see you later kid. I took that as my orders to get out and he stayed. Our gear was all packed so we said our byes to the Skynyrd boys and left. I only saw Ronnie one other time, I think in Atlanta some time in '73. Probably at the park downtown. He remembered the incident and we laughed about it. as best I remember I think they played Sweet Home Alabama and of course they must have played their guitar tour de force Free Bird. That was a long time ago and remembered through a fog of pot smoke.
I kept playing all through the years, attending the University of Miami to get a degree in jazz Performance, moving to New York touring with a reunion version of BS&T and Buddy Rich in the mid-80's and still keep at it. But those were some special days that I remember fondly.
Keep up the good work man… I read most all of your emails.
Al
Al Hospers
Sounds Clever & the Valley Horns
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Subject: Kaskade podcast
On a plane trip just now, I just listened to your Kaskade podcast, only the second one I have been able to listen to. Spellbound, listening and I know nothing about EDM.
I flew helicopters for 47 years, first in the Army in Vietnam, then the last 29 years flying medical helicopters all over California. I put in my 10,000 hours and a lot more. Helicopters don't just fall out of the sky. They may, just like very occasionally airliners do. They can be flown as safely as airliners, think of Marine One flying the president; mostly they are not. The missions they fly, and lower standards of safe operations in the helicopter industry cause the much higher accident rate.
Please tell Kaskade to ensure his wife, whom he mentioned was learning to be a helicopter pilot and fly him and the family , always has a safety pilot and they only fly twin-engine helicopters. You simply can not be a top pilot without concentrated training, thousands of hours of flying, and current and ongoing flight experience. 10,000 hours or more, on the ground, in the air and in your brain. No airlines fly single engine aircraft; there must be some logic in there, extra engines cost a bunch. Would you really bet there life on flying with a single engine? Kaskade should not. Why would anyone want to fly without a top rated pilot? I wouldn't and will not allow my family to either.
A few decades back, I was walking past my neighbors house on a jaunt with my dog. His helicopter was landing on his basketball court under the command of his airplane pilot, recently transitioned into helicopters. I made a note to myself to drop a letter into his mailbox, offering a safety audit of his helicopter operations. Gratis. I knew the complexity and unknowns about operating a helicopter safely that he did not seem to realize. A few nights later, while on duty as the chief pilot for Stanford university's medical helicopter, I were called out to a helicopter crash in the northern Bay Area. I flew the best helicopter available—twin-engine, instrument flight capable, weather radar a crew of 3, and a defined go, no go, launch matrix. I declined the flight, even with all that, and over 20 years helicopter flight experience. That night, my neighbor Bill Graham—the rock promoter—and two others died. I regretted not writing that letter to him.
Hopefully, I won't read about another senseless helicopter crash.
Regards,
Steve Greene
Sent from Captain Stephen Hood Greene's iPad...
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Wednesday 5 September 2018
The Chain
"The Chain": https://bit.ly/2Q5qLCt
What kind of crazy, fucked-up world do we live in where Lindsey Buckingham gets kicked out of Fleetwood Mac and the band gets better?
The same one in which Glenn Frey passes and the Eagles improve.
Now we know the Mac can't sustain without Stevie, but without Lindsey...NO PROBLEM!
No one doubts Mike Campbell's guitarwork, he doesn't emote quite like Lindsey, but he can pick just as well.
As for Neil Finn...HE'S A REVELATION!
Maybe you remember Crowded House, but you should really look back to Split Enz, which couldn't get traction until Neil joined. Then he got us and sent a message to our girl and won our hearts and financial success to boot. But being a proud New Zealander, he tends not to be on our radar screen, but he is now!
It's no secret Stevie Nicks can do arena business without the rest of the group, but this is something different, it takes Stevie's skills and appeals, mixes in the temporarily gone crooning of Christine McVie and now the band has been reenergized, gone from an oldies act to a new one overnight, how did this happen?
Now we know there was a schism in the band's history, multiple ones in fact. I doubt fans of the Peter Green iteration liked the Stevie/Lindsey concoction. Then again, there was the interim era with Bob Welch and this seems more like an evolution than a substitution of journeyman players. Who knew Vince Gill could add so much to the Eagles, who knew Neil Finn could add so much to Fleetwood Mac? And as "The Chain" ends and Mike Campbell starts to wail you don't miss Lindsey Buckingham one bit. Used to be his band, no longer. If they paid to see the act without Christine, what is Lindsey gonna bring to the picture to share the cash...NOTHING!
Now the funny thing about this iteration is it makes you want to hear new material. McCartney was on Stern today and it made you realize how much he missed Lennon. Because John held his nose when McCartney delivered tripe, and vice versa, they pushed each other to excellence. You've got to believe Mike and Neil have reinvigorated the other four members of Fleetwood Mac, and one thing you know about Neil is he can write, and unlike his peers, having never reached superstar status, he can still do it, he still has the fire.
But does anybody really want new Fleetwood Mac music?
Today it's all about the road. The modern music business has detached from classic rock, all rock in fact. It's all hip-hop all the time. Did you read today's "Wall Street Journal" about the huge payments by the majors for barely proven hip-hop talent? They don't care about radio, they can make their bones online and cash too, it's a whole new paradigm. And never underestimate the power of classic rock, it too is streamed now, but its acolytes are no longer hungry, they might have smartphones but they still don't subscribe to streaming services.
But they're fans.
That's the difference between the oldsters of yesterday and today. THE FERVOR! Go to a Mac show and people are not sitting in their seats, rattling their jewelry, they're standing and singing and dancing...
The oldsters lived through something. It's hard for the youngsters to understand. Music was EVERYTHING! Everybody had a stereo, everybody bought albums, they were addicted! Let's analogize it to movies. Neil Simon dies and you remember his flicks and how you used to go to the theatre. Now you no longer go to the theatre, they make movies but you don't want to see 'em. Sure, you might hit a documentary, about Mr. Rogers or RBG, but they're a zit on the financial ass of the theatrical business.
But the funny thing is the classic rockers still rule at the venues.
So modern music is like today's movies. Two-dimensional characters, nothing you can believe in. Candy that's eaten and forgotten. There's a business, they trumpet the grosses, but does anybody care?
Of course a few do.
But when it comes to movies, the great stuff was all pre-blockbuster, pre "Jaws" and "Star Wars," when there was not that much money in it and all the glamour and the impact was in films.
Even more in music. Because movies when done right are larger than life, music when done right is life itself.
And now television has taken over from movies by being what flicks used to be. About people as opposed to superheroes and monsters. Because we want to see our real lives reflected.
And you can say today's pop music is just today's kids' flavor, but the truth is it was different. Stevie Nicks was not an overnight success... Nobody in today's Fleetwood Mac was an overnight success. They paid their dues, starved in obscurity, toured, lived the hard life until breakthroughs came years later.
That is not the paradigm today. Today everything is instant and then fades away. Those with intellects and souls stay far away from entertainment, the odds are too long, they want a protected life, but...back then entertainment was ruled by the middle class, playing without a backup plan.
Then again, there was little income inequality.
And a bigger safety net.
You could survive.
And you'll be rejuvenated and alive when the lights go down and the band implores you to...
LISTEN TO THE WIND BLOW!
"Gypsy": https://bit.ly/2oJ2BkF
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What kind of crazy, fucked-up world do we live in where Lindsey Buckingham gets kicked out of Fleetwood Mac and the band gets better?
The same one in which Glenn Frey passes and the Eagles improve.
Now we know the Mac can't sustain without Stevie, but without Lindsey...NO PROBLEM!
No one doubts Mike Campbell's guitarwork, he doesn't emote quite like Lindsey, but he can pick just as well.
As for Neil Finn...HE'S A REVELATION!
Maybe you remember Crowded House, but you should really look back to Split Enz, which couldn't get traction until Neil joined. Then he got us and sent a message to our girl and won our hearts and financial success to boot. But being a proud New Zealander, he tends not to be on our radar screen, but he is now!
It's no secret Stevie Nicks can do arena business without the rest of the group, but this is something different, it takes Stevie's skills and appeals, mixes in the temporarily gone crooning of Christine McVie and now the band has been reenergized, gone from an oldies act to a new one overnight, how did this happen?
Now we know there was a schism in the band's history, multiple ones in fact. I doubt fans of the Peter Green iteration liked the Stevie/Lindsey concoction. Then again, there was the interim era with Bob Welch and this seems more like an evolution than a substitution of journeyman players. Who knew Vince Gill could add so much to the Eagles, who knew Neil Finn could add so much to Fleetwood Mac? And as "The Chain" ends and Mike Campbell starts to wail you don't miss Lindsey Buckingham one bit. Used to be his band, no longer. If they paid to see the act without Christine, what is Lindsey gonna bring to the picture to share the cash...NOTHING!
Now the funny thing about this iteration is it makes you want to hear new material. McCartney was on Stern today and it made you realize how much he missed Lennon. Because John held his nose when McCartney delivered tripe, and vice versa, they pushed each other to excellence. You've got to believe Mike and Neil have reinvigorated the other four members of Fleetwood Mac, and one thing you know about Neil is he can write, and unlike his peers, having never reached superstar status, he can still do it, he still has the fire.
But does anybody really want new Fleetwood Mac music?
Today it's all about the road. The modern music business has detached from classic rock, all rock in fact. It's all hip-hop all the time. Did you read today's "Wall Street Journal" about the huge payments by the majors for barely proven hip-hop talent? They don't care about radio, they can make their bones online and cash too, it's a whole new paradigm. And never underestimate the power of classic rock, it too is streamed now, but its acolytes are no longer hungry, they might have smartphones but they still don't subscribe to streaming services.
But they're fans.
That's the difference between the oldsters of yesterday and today. THE FERVOR! Go to a Mac show and people are not sitting in their seats, rattling their jewelry, they're standing and singing and dancing...
The oldsters lived through something. It's hard for the youngsters to understand. Music was EVERYTHING! Everybody had a stereo, everybody bought albums, they were addicted! Let's analogize it to movies. Neil Simon dies and you remember his flicks and how you used to go to the theatre. Now you no longer go to the theatre, they make movies but you don't want to see 'em. Sure, you might hit a documentary, about Mr. Rogers or RBG, but they're a zit on the financial ass of the theatrical business.
But the funny thing is the classic rockers still rule at the venues.
So modern music is like today's movies. Two-dimensional characters, nothing you can believe in. Candy that's eaten and forgotten. There's a business, they trumpet the grosses, but does anybody care?
Of course a few do.
But when it comes to movies, the great stuff was all pre-blockbuster, pre "Jaws" and "Star Wars," when there was not that much money in it and all the glamour and the impact was in films.
Even more in music. Because movies when done right are larger than life, music when done right is life itself.
And now television has taken over from movies by being what flicks used to be. About people as opposed to superheroes and monsters. Because we want to see our real lives reflected.
And you can say today's pop music is just today's kids' flavor, but the truth is it was different. Stevie Nicks was not an overnight success... Nobody in today's Fleetwood Mac was an overnight success. They paid their dues, starved in obscurity, toured, lived the hard life until breakthroughs came years later.
That is not the paradigm today. Today everything is instant and then fades away. Those with intellects and souls stay far away from entertainment, the odds are too long, they want a protected life, but...back then entertainment was ruled by the middle class, playing without a backup plan.
Then again, there was little income inequality.
And a bigger safety net.
You could survive.
And you'll be rejuvenated and alive when the lights go down and the band implores you to...
LISTEN TO THE WIND BLOW!
"Gypsy": https://bit.ly/2oJ2BkF
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Tuesday 4 September 2018
Danny Goldberg-This Week's Podcast
From a majordomo at Swan Song, Led Zeppelin's record label, to managing Bonnie Raitt and Nirvana in their heydays to label gigs at Atlantic, Warner and Mercury, Danny Goldberg has seen and done it all.
And much more.
Here is the story from beginning to now, from being a stoner and leaving college to managing Steve Earle.
Danny fought his way to the top without a parent in the business, when music drove the culture.
You think you want to follow in his footsteps, well here they are for you to see!
A snippet: https://twitter.com/Lefsetz/status/1037086164304289797
Listen to the Danny Goldberg podcast on...
TuneIn: https://listen.tunein.com/DannyGoldbergLetter
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/danny-goldberg/id1316200737?i=1000419080530&mt=2
Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/m/Dodrsslcbjbpyjmlzlw7vtbxdiy?t=Danny_Goldberg-The_Bob_Lefsetz_Podcast
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-bob-lefsetz-podcast
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bob-lefsetz/danny-goldberg
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/+LBr9sy5rc
Castbox: https://castbox.fm/episode/Danny-Goldberg-id1099656-id90853177?country=us
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And much more.
Here is the story from beginning to now, from being a stoner and leaving college to managing Steve Earle.
Danny fought his way to the top without a parent in the business, when music drove the culture.
You think you want to follow in his footsteps, well here they are for you to see!
A snippet: https://twitter.com/Lefsetz/status/1037086164304289797
Listen to the Danny Goldberg podcast on...
TuneIn: https://listen.tunein.com/DannyGoldbergLetter
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/danny-goldberg/id1316200737?i=1000419080530&mt=2
Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/m/Dodrsslcbjbpyjmlzlw7vtbxdiy?t=Danny_Goldberg-The_Bob_Lefsetz_Podcast
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-bob-lefsetz-podcast
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bob-lefsetz/danny-goldberg
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/+LBr9sy5rc
Castbox: https://castbox.fm/episode/Danny-Goldberg-id1099656-id90853177?country=us
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Re-Kaepernick/Nike
God bless Kaepernick for standing up for what's right and fighting for people that have no voice. God bless Nike for giving validation to his sacrifice. God bless you for some of the truest words ever written.
Thank you
Jim Archer
______________________________________
Just awesome
Josh Cohen
______________________________________
C'mon Bob,
Kaepernick sacrificed nothing.
He hasn't been a NFL caliber quarterback in a long time
Ray Valencia
______________________________________
At a guess, people who think "Take a Knee" is pointless or unpatriotic, will simply not buy Nike. It will not be a "boycott" in the sense that Sleeping Giants organizes; rather it will be a choice to reject the politicization of shoes.
And it is this sort of tone deaf politicization of everything which is pretty much guaranteed to get you more Trump. More Trump at the mid-terms and more Trump in 2020.
Cheers,
Jay Currie
______________________________________
I feel like Tommy Smith and John Carlos never get enough mentions around the Kapernick story.
Isn't this the most obvious "right side of history" reference we have to relate to this?
Also: Don't forget how much Nike is a sponsor and partner of the NFL.
Thanks.
-Dave Rubin
______________________________________
Seeing Nike decide to take a stand today behind Kaepernick lifted my spirits so high. It seems everyday lately it's been getting uglier and uglier. Not today. I've been telling myself that what is right ultimately wins. I've been fighting inside to have faith in that. Today, my hope and faith got stronger. Gratitude to Colin, a true American hero. What's right is right, don't give up the fight.
urbano
______________________________________
Thanks for sharing Bob. Instead of sitting back and complaining about Trump I've been volunteering for Beto O'Rourke for senate in Texas. I came across this video of his response to a question about football players taking a knee. Wanted to share in case you haven't seen it!
https://nowthisnews.com/videos/politics/beto-orourke-on-nfl-players-kneeling-during-the-national-anthem
Lincoln Athas
______________________________________
Right on, well said!
cali4nancytaylor
______________________________________
You're the man, Bob.
Jake Soffer
______________________________________
So agree with you Bob. Seems like a change is going to come. As Bob Dylan said "its a hard rain gonna fall".
Rob Braide
______________________________________
Yes!
Geronimo Son
______________________________________
Agent Orange? Perfect. First time I have read it. I am now living my fathers curse, "may you live in ""interesting"" times". He checked out 2 1/2 years ago. Smart.
Michael A. Becker
______________________________________
Great post!
Dominic Jones
______________________________________
Blah, blah, blah.
Stick to your strengths.
John Kendig
______________________________________
The NFL is just like a holding company or trade association, beholden primarily to ownership, which consists of rich, white, conservative men. Roger Goodell may have Good in his name, but he's just a puppet of ownership lacking power to influence change. He can't take a shit without the owners' approval. Nike, on the other hand, is still influenced by Phil Knight, a visionary and risk taker, who is not afraid to be different or shy away from social or controversial causes. Very few men in Corporate America (re: Steve Jobs) would underwrite a brand campaign using Kaepernick, especially in such a hostile, inflammatory environment fueled by a President who is unafraid to spin facts and intentions to support a personal agenda. The rich white leadership of the NFL may be titans of industry, but they are clueless when it comes to branding, understanding social causes and crafting a campaign that can simultaneously demonstrate both patriotism and empathy for those who feel victimized. The NFL is an enormous platform, but ownership is way too insular and scared to use it for social good.
Stuart K. Marvin
______________________________________
I'm too young to remember the sixties (I'm 53), but I smell something, and it smells like upheaval.
William Brody
______________________________________
That's a great, inspiring column, Bob. Right on. And go Nike.
John Kehe
______________________________________
Senseless
papaguitar
______________________________________
Thanks Bob, beautifully put — great post!
Jimmy Higgins
______________________________________
Keep my name out of you publish
Did you see John Rich get TORCHED on Twitter over this? John is half of Big And Rich, a prolific song writer, and was also a contestant on The Apprentice. John and a lot of people live in an echo chamber. In fact, I believe if he had posted this on Facebook (and maybe he did) the algorithm would have ensured his post got overwhelming support. (I think this is where FB will eventually fail - it's like a version of the Matrix.)
Note that John doubled down on this post.
https://twitter.com/johnrich/status/1036751396002050050?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eios%7Ctwgr%5Eother%7Ctwcon%5E7100%7Ctwterm%5E3
______________________________________
Nice thoughts on a difficult subject. I'm appalled with how minorities (of any kind) get treated by police. The whole idea of policing is hard to start with. I'm a white American male. As a musician driving a beat up Chevy Van that needed paint, I got profiled heavily by the police. It wasn't fun. Once in Newport Beach a cop coming the opposite direction hit his lights and flipped a U-turn to pull me over BEFORE he had passed me. "Sir, do you know why I pulled you over? You have a tail light that's out." Well, at least he called me sir.
Personally, I don't think he (Kaepernick) should have kneeled, but I think he has the right. He should really understand his possition. He's not working because he's a marginal QB and he's a hot potato. I realize it's a different sport but Football needs a Branch Rickey, unfortunately for Colin Kaepernick, he's no Jackie Robinson.
My name is not withheld.
Tracy Lipp
______________________________________
Nike sell to the world and is not totally dependent on the American market and how many Trump supporters are athletes?
Brian Fisher
______________________________________
So now I have to boycott the NFL AND Nike. Great..
Jared T
______________________________________
Bob, Youre a fairly intelligent guy so I know Nike's hypocrisy isn't lost on you. It just doesn't fit your narrative so you selectively choose to ignore it. (Which ironically makes you just like the conservatives you despise so much.)
Nike has had slave labor in China in the form of 8 yr old kids making their shoes but you conveniently don't mention that and instead paint them as some great pillar of integrity and champion of human rights. Meanwhile they're engaging in the greatest long term green washing campaign in the history of brands.
John Brubaker
P.S. Regarding Kaepernick not getting caught in any faux pas, you again seem to conveniently forget details. Like him wearing a Fidel Castro T-shirt to a press conference and saying America should be more like Cuba.
______________________________________
Don't know why but this campaign feels genuine to me, as opposed to an opportunistic attempt by Nike to curry favor with their consumers. More power to them.
Dean Ross
PS have you seen the responses on Twitter to John Rich's Tweet on this? Very funny and enlightening
______________________________________
Less than 50% of eligible voters accessed their right to vote - SHAME!. You want to break the log jam? Replace 50%+ of Congress and the Senate.
Now for Kaepernick - you want to impress me? Protest on your day off, on you time, not during a football game. Do you job land show me your dedication to the cause on your own time - let me watch the game in peace, PLEASE!
Thomas B.
______________________________________
I wear my Nikes proud!
Terri Haram
______________________________________
I can just imaging the social media cry to boycott Nike. Outlets like Fox are probably broadcasting clips about people switching brands because they want to make America great again to that time when athletes just played their sport.
Jonathan Schneider
______________________________________
That's the funniest analysis I ever read. You threw the Puerto Rico situation in there? All the fed gov't. supplies sat in port rotting like Live Aid food in 1985. The local gov't. has been so corrupt. St Thomas got destroyed by the same hurricane. However, you do not see the same issues.
Thomas Kenny
______________________________________
As someone on CBC radio (Canada's national broadcaster) said this morning, if only Nike would refuse to manufacture anything for the Cleveland Indians or Washington Redskins until they changed their names and logos.
N. Russell
______________________________________
Bravo. This is the first time I've given a crap about Nike in my entire 57 years of living. Now they get my respect.
John Horner
______________________________________
Haha. Agent Orange. Love your music disagree with your politics. I have more money in my pocket, more freedom with my health care and the US is finally respected abroad. Unemployment is super low, small business thriving, no more phony Iran deal. But let's attack this President over and over while his policies make us incredibly strong and economically sound. A place we haven't been in such a long time. It's you who don't really care about minorities, otherwise you'd applaud the lowest employment rate in decades for minoroties. No... you're for status quo... Bush, Obama, Biden... they are status quo. All doing it the same way and failing miserably. We all say we want an outsider and when we get him
he actually starts winning and you want to go back, because you're afraid. But we're not going back... ever.
Tres Sasser
______________________________________
How can anyone disagree that aggressive, unnecessary violence by authorities (especially against a particular group) is a problem? Since when is kneeling a sign of disrespect to anything— ever? How has the conversation been allowed to be coopted by dog whistle racism? So much extreme polarization, politically, economically, racially— BUT—-It is starting to feel like the pendulum is swinging back the other way if walking through Boston yesterday (labor day) was any indication . There were hundreds of energetic union members picketing in the streets waving signs reading "One job should be enough". Yes, it should. One indication hopefully of more to come. The rich should not be the only citizens entitled to dignity and access to some form of a life outside of making ends meet. And calling out abuses of power is precisely what this country was founded on.
Bob Kalill
______________________________________
Right on
Randi Swindel
______________________________________
Yesterday was the first day I thought Colin Kaepernick might actually succeed to the fullest extent possible. Last year when no team would sign him -- an obvious starting QB -- I thought both his career and cause were derailed. But, with the lawsuit moving forward and this Nike support, I think he might actually play again one day and that he might actually get people talking about the point of his protest: police brutality.
Gordon Chaffin
______________________________________
If only we could get the music of the 60s back.
Jeff Lewis
______________________________________
Right on!
Marty Hecker
Denver, CO
______________________________________
Immeasurable respect for Nike to do what no other company has shown to have the balls to do... lay it all on the line for what is right. Wasn't a Nike guy before but you can bet your sweet ass I am now.
Nike got down on their knees, looked the John Rich's of the world right in the eye and said, "F the racists, we ain't about that...multiply that by millions."
PIGSOCKS - RACISTS
Understanding is an exercise, perception is a choice...
Aben Eubanks
______________________________________
I get it.
Good for Nike
Better for Colin
He deserves the acknowledgment
However
Nike using this to sell shoes made by underpaid Vietnamese workers to people, black and white, who consider themselves "woke" seems like a bit of a conundrum.
Jack Haynes
______________________________________
Beautiful, man
Gregory Spradling
______________________________________
I've never understood the resistance to Colin K's 'taking a knee'.
America likes to say it was built on this idea of the individualist standing up for the right values even in the face of opposition.
Colin K didn't hurt anyone, didn't scream, or demean any other person. He didn't even demand attention. He took a very simple, very quiet, and poetic action to protest a very obvious problem.
I know Nike's move is partly marketing. But in this crazy era, which is a lot like the sixties, and in some ways much worse, I take my hat off to Nike.
My admiration for Colin K, though is boundless. He's a true hero.
Karen Gordon
______________________________________
And to all those ignorant anti-Kaep folks that are exploiting Pat Tillman's name for this issue - Tillman was a Chomsky-reading American that thought the Iraq War was "fucking illegal." How does that fit into your narrative?
And yes, athletes like Kaepernick are fellow human beings. Amen brother!
"That's right, most of the players are black. Who cares if they're paid a lot. First and foremost they're people."
Cheers,
Bill Lackemacher (not anonymously)
Sacramento
______________________________________
Who knew it would be a Shoe company that makes the stand! Before movies, before (most) top pop, rock , hip hop and country artists--- before mostly everyone. Proud to wear my Nike's today. Le Resistance!—Gary Spivack
______________________________________
"And Nike's record is not perfect, but they've done a very good job of protecting athletes, standing by them, "
Sure is feeling like the 60s! Where are those shoes made? Are we going back to that nasty nihilistic cynicism of the Age of Aquarius?
"No one in America likes to sacrifice."
What's he getting paid? More than Pat Tillman got paid?
Cheers!
Michael Lang
______________________________________
Thank you Bob!
Victor Krag
______________________________________
Amen.
Ryan Richardson
______________________________________
Thanks Bob
It does feel like the 60s all over again. If George Wallace or Barry Goldwater were to raise up out of the grave and run, they might have a chance in 2020! But we're not going to let that happen are we?
Kenny Lee Lewis
______________________________________
This is to Trump Republicans as what the Cavangh hearings are to Democrats
Rick Goodrich
______________________________________
Hi Bob. Interesting as usual. Maybe you have seen a similar history of the Nat'l anthem during football games. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/nfl-sideline-anthem/
This is not a spontaneous display of patriotism. This is a cynical, for-profit display pitched by our government and NFL owners and paid for with your tax dollars. I do not see the value. I'm liberal and big on Free Speech. However I feel the players are on company time and should be willing to follow reasonable rules. If players want to make a political statement, they can do it on their own time. Imagine if I "took a knee" at my company meetings to make a point, hijacking the purpose of the meeting in the process. How long before I'm asked to continue my career elsewhere? So please explain to me why NFL players should be treated differently.
Jon Brooks
______________________________________
Brilliant. We need a Revolution and we need it now. #justdoit
Lynn Crosswaite
______________________________________
Right on Bob!
Sorta like the 60s again... but back then it was musicians leading. It wasn't the FBI, intelligence agencies like the CIA and Big Corporations leading the way. What does that say about the rest of us? Cowering are we?
Michael Hugos
______________________________________
Good one bob. In the sixties we were all about the revolution. We fought a war against a war and won. It wasn't the VC who beat the U.S. Army, It was the Hippies and the musicians who led them, starting with The Beatles.
Jane Fonda showed more courage than almost anyone. Few of the bands expected to get rich, and that was never the goal. When they did achieve fame and fortune they did not abandon their ideals. Most of today's musicians are focused on the money first, have no ideals, and music suffers because of it.
More importantly, they have abandoned the last line of defense against the (R)azi Party.
Pax, Hartmann
______________________________________
Oh Bob,
You're going to get so much shit for this one that you're going to need a bigger septic tank.
But good for you, and good for Nike. When you actually see somebody taking a stand that might actually impact them negatively and they still do it, it's a lovely thing. It happens so infrequently.
Keep reporting .
Best,
Rik Shafer
______________________________________
And every single idiot out there burning their Nikes (or their kids' Nikes) has no idea what Kaepernick's protest was actually about. Because they are not equipped to go learn and understand for themselves. They actually believe what some stooge on Fox News tells them to believe. And then they can't believe it when they are shorn for the sheep they are. I think I'll BBQ some lamb tonight, wearing my Nikes.
Jeff Pinhey
______________________________________
Respect
I'll buy more Nike.
Nike is all about the ATHLETES. And the athletes understand what this protest is about. Not only the right moral move - I suspect a good business one in the end. Re focus from the armchair quarterbacks, overweight critics who can go buy their walking shoes at sketchers.
Stand up to stand out to paraphrase what I've read in your newsletters over the year.
Rob Meder
PS shoe dog is the best non fiction book I've read in years if you haven't read it.
______________________________________
Well done, thanks
Paul Zullo
______________________________________
I've been a season ticket holder to the Niners since 1979. I saw the entire Kapernick situation unfold. Now what he says he is doing in regards to racial inequality and police treatment of minorities is laudable, it all started as a fraud. He was being a cry-baby because he got benched. When he was asked about it by a rookie reporter he had to come up with something to say, other than being a bad sport.
It is also interesting that John Elway, the GM of the Denver Broncos, offered Kapernick a contract about twenty months ago, but Kapernick turned it down. He wanted more money and to be a starter. SO how can he prove collusion?
Matt Grandi in Marin
______________________________________
This is an excellent point - "Not only with the CTE issue but the fact that the owners are reinforcing racism with their plantation mind-set. That's right, most of the players are black. Who cares if they're paid a lot. First and foremost they're people."
Bob, you are a true journalist.
Eric Spence
______________________________________
Great email Bob,
What was the Nike brand yesterday? To me, it had started to become
#UsedToDoIt. It made me think about older people who wore a logo on their clothing as they drink beer and watched the football games. Nike reminded them of the glory days of when they were young, played sports and felt significant. All this Nike backlash we're seeing, is just going to make this campaign more powerful. Nike is choosing sides, they know the younger generation is their future. Wearing Nike is now going to be a statement about your morals and ethic, it will be part of your identity. I'm so blown away by this. #JustDoItAgain
And just for the record, I likely fall in that first camp with Adidas. I'm
pretty sure that my affinity for that brand goes back to my younger days
when I was a wanna-be b-boy poppin and lockin to Run DMC's "My Adidas."
They make me feel cool, and frankly I?m OK with that.
Thanks for all the thought provoking material,
Carl Jacobson
Director, Global Marketing Communications
HARMAN Professional Solutions
______________________________________
Trump doesn't care about players kneeling; he's pissed because they're playing the wrong anthem at the games.
David Ray
______________________________________
So much respect for Kaepernick and Nike. Thanks for reminding us how huge this is. Let's hope those big brands follow.
Kris Long
______________________________________
Your analysis left out one crucial fact: Kaepernick is bad at football.
Best,
Charlie Gaylord
______________________________________
Thank you for this one.
Sincerely. Thank you.
Brandon Chamberlain
______________________________________
It's a crime to be white. Why would anyone who sees the light put their name down on big brothers docket. Nike don't give a damn. They just want sell more product to the degenerative, half bread youth that thinks taking a stand in being gangsta is buying more shit with stickers still on it. California is crawling with these young, angry baby debtors.
The enemy should have one, again..
Tim
______________________________________
Your point about Nike would be a little stronger if they didn't have a deal with the NFL until 2028. That deal was announced in March of this year. Interesting timeline and all about business.
Morgan Hunter
London, Ontario
______________________________________
No doubt about it, this is one of the gutsiest marketing decisions since the Apple Super Bowl ad where the guy throws the hammer at the big screen.
Your assessment of the NFL losing its grip is totally accurate, but you miss one major cause; the old knockers who made owning season tickets a culture symbol of success, are all over 85 years old and dying. Most that are still alive, can't handle the walk from specialparking to their elevated seats. Most are selling their tickets each week to ticket brokers , pocketing a profit and watching at home on their big screen, in their LazyBoy lounger.
Their successful small business, that is now run by their spoiled oldest son or daughter may no longer buy tickets with write off entertainment dollars, which over the years became a perk for the owner and was his "family time", once per week.
Nike has and will capture the "gestalt "of the moment , better than any other entity in our current culture. This will start the avalanche of sentiment that will kill Trump at his tweeting heart beat. He won't be able to control this narrative. It will be a beautiful thing to watch.
The owners have lost control of their ability to determine their destiny. This will also be a beautiful thing to watch.
Jerry Jones will be lucky to escape with his life. His plantation may burn down.
The real suckers may end up being all the tax payers who are on the hook for the repayment of the stadium bonds in every major city. What if you can't fill all those seats at $200 per game, because the new generation of fan only makes $55K per year and has no health care insurance? Who says the spending priority/pattern will continue in the same manner? Example, I spent many dollars to teach my kids to ski/snowboard. Every weekend I sent them up on a bus for lessons and free style skiing. They loved it. Today neither of them go because a tow ticket and transportation is over a $150 per day.
Skiing has become too expensive for their spending priority list of must have experiences. This will happen to the NFL. You may like K. Mack , who just got traded to the Bears, but can one guy be worth $30 million per year as a percentage of your total gross , in a market like Chicago, where you might get shot, going home from the game?
This event/decision by Nike will be the biggest thing since Obama getting elected and setting a new paradigm of who gets to sit at the table of the daily dialogue for the evening news and social media air waves
Thomas Geimer
______________________________________
What kind of messed up world do we live in? Apparently, one where we ignore lessons already learned, long ago- and many times over.
Muhammad Ali was a pariah, excoriated for his anti-war stance, shunned because he told the truth about being treated like a second-class citizen in his own country... until he wasn't. That's right, America figured out that the Vietnam war was unjust, a mistake. And that Ali was right about racial discrimination. After America woke up, Ali became a national treasure, cheered by millions as he highlighted the Olympic torch ceremony in Atlanta.
At another Olympic Games in Mexico City, Tommie Smith and John Carlos were sent home for raising their gloved fists in another truthful protest. Avery Brundage and the powers in place- exclusively old, white, male powers- decided that was the wrong time and place to protest. Brundage did everything possible to discredit the two athletes. Today, Smith and Carlos are seen as heroes. Speaking the truth in the most difficult of situations, they displayed bravery of the highest order.
Today, we watch as Colin Kaepernick draws nationwide ire. As does Nike for supporting his courage. Kaep speaks the truth at an inconvenient time. He should have just enjoyed his multi-millionaire status and "played the damn game", according to the keyboard patriots littering my Facebook feed. His actions are seen as unpatriotic and disgraceful to flag and country by about one-third of our population.
At the same time, that same 33% of Americans unflaggingly support the most famous draft dodger in the country. They heap praise on a president whose only real accomplishment so far has been to enrich himself and his cronies.
History has a funny way of repeating itself. And it always comes as a surprise to those who refuse to learn from it. Being on the right side of history in a changing time can be terribly challenging. It takes true courage, the ability to do unpopular things, to take radical stands.
Let's recognize Nike for doing what musicians used to do- recognizing some changes that our country needs, and helping to lead the way. I know I'll be looking back over the next few years to see who picked up the flag and followed, and who didn't.
-Mark K. Day
______________________________________
Can't wait to buy a pair of Kaepernick's Nikes.
Tim Fricke
Thank you
Jim Archer
______________________________________
Just awesome
Josh Cohen
______________________________________
C'mon Bob,
Kaepernick sacrificed nothing.
He hasn't been a NFL caliber quarterback in a long time
Ray Valencia
______________________________________
At a guess, people who think "Take a Knee" is pointless or unpatriotic, will simply not buy Nike. It will not be a "boycott" in the sense that Sleeping Giants organizes; rather it will be a choice to reject the politicization of shoes.
And it is this sort of tone deaf politicization of everything which is pretty much guaranteed to get you more Trump. More Trump at the mid-terms and more Trump in 2020.
Cheers,
Jay Currie
______________________________________
I feel like Tommy Smith and John Carlos never get enough mentions around the Kapernick story.
Isn't this the most obvious "right side of history" reference we have to relate to this?
Also: Don't forget how much Nike is a sponsor and partner of the NFL.
Thanks.
-Dave Rubin
______________________________________
Seeing Nike decide to take a stand today behind Kaepernick lifted my spirits so high. It seems everyday lately it's been getting uglier and uglier. Not today. I've been telling myself that what is right ultimately wins. I've been fighting inside to have faith in that. Today, my hope and faith got stronger. Gratitude to Colin, a true American hero. What's right is right, don't give up the fight.
urbano
______________________________________
Thanks for sharing Bob. Instead of sitting back and complaining about Trump I've been volunteering for Beto O'Rourke for senate in Texas. I came across this video of his response to a question about football players taking a knee. Wanted to share in case you haven't seen it!
https://nowthisnews.com/videos/politics/beto-orourke-on-nfl-players-kneeling-during-the-national-anthem
Lincoln Athas
______________________________________
Right on, well said!
cali4nancytaylor
______________________________________
You're the man, Bob.
Jake Soffer
______________________________________
So agree with you Bob. Seems like a change is going to come. As Bob Dylan said "its a hard rain gonna fall".
Rob Braide
______________________________________
Yes!
Geronimo Son
______________________________________
Agent Orange? Perfect. First time I have read it. I am now living my fathers curse, "may you live in ""interesting"" times". He checked out 2 1/2 years ago. Smart.
Michael A. Becker
______________________________________
Great post!
Dominic Jones
______________________________________
Blah, blah, blah.
Stick to your strengths.
John Kendig
______________________________________
The NFL is just like a holding company or trade association, beholden primarily to ownership, which consists of rich, white, conservative men. Roger Goodell may have Good in his name, but he's just a puppet of ownership lacking power to influence change. He can't take a shit without the owners' approval. Nike, on the other hand, is still influenced by Phil Knight, a visionary and risk taker, who is not afraid to be different or shy away from social or controversial causes. Very few men in Corporate America (re: Steve Jobs) would underwrite a brand campaign using Kaepernick, especially in such a hostile, inflammatory environment fueled by a President who is unafraid to spin facts and intentions to support a personal agenda. The rich white leadership of the NFL may be titans of industry, but they are clueless when it comes to branding, understanding social causes and crafting a campaign that can simultaneously demonstrate both patriotism and empathy for those who feel victimized. The NFL is an enormous platform, but ownership is way too insular and scared to use it for social good.
Stuart K. Marvin
______________________________________
I'm too young to remember the sixties (I'm 53), but I smell something, and it smells like upheaval.
William Brody
______________________________________
That's a great, inspiring column, Bob. Right on. And go Nike.
John Kehe
______________________________________
Senseless
papaguitar
______________________________________
Thanks Bob, beautifully put — great post!
Jimmy Higgins
______________________________________
Keep my name out of you publish
Did you see John Rich get TORCHED on Twitter over this? John is half of Big And Rich, a prolific song writer, and was also a contestant on The Apprentice. John and a lot of people live in an echo chamber. In fact, I believe if he had posted this on Facebook (and maybe he did) the algorithm would have ensured his post got overwhelming support. (I think this is where FB will eventually fail - it's like a version of the Matrix.)
Note that John doubled down on this post.
https://twitter.com/johnrich/status/1036751396002050050?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eios%7Ctwgr%5Eother%7Ctwcon%5E7100%7Ctwterm%5E3
______________________________________
Nice thoughts on a difficult subject. I'm appalled with how minorities (of any kind) get treated by police. The whole idea of policing is hard to start with. I'm a white American male. As a musician driving a beat up Chevy Van that needed paint, I got profiled heavily by the police. It wasn't fun. Once in Newport Beach a cop coming the opposite direction hit his lights and flipped a U-turn to pull me over BEFORE he had passed me. "Sir, do you know why I pulled you over? You have a tail light that's out." Well, at least he called me sir.
Personally, I don't think he (Kaepernick) should have kneeled, but I think he has the right. He should really understand his possition. He's not working because he's a marginal QB and he's a hot potato. I realize it's a different sport but Football needs a Branch Rickey, unfortunately for Colin Kaepernick, he's no Jackie Robinson.
My name is not withheld.
Tracy Lipp
______________________________________
Nike sell to the world and is not totally dependent on the American market and how many Trump supporters are athletes?
Brian Fisher
______________________________________
So now I have to boycott the NFL AND Nike. Great..
Jared T
______________________________________
Bob, Youre a fairly intelligent guy so I know Nike's hypocrisy isn't lost on you. It just doesn't fit your narrative so you selectively choose to ignore it. (Which ironically makes you just like the conservatives you despise so much.)
Nike has had slave labor in China in the form of 8 yr old kids making their shoes but you conveniently don't mention that and instead paint them as some great pillar of integrity and champion of human rights. Meanwhile they're engaging in the greatest long term green washing campaign in the history of brands.
John Brubaker
P.S. Regarding Kaepernick not getting caught in any faux pas, you again seem to conveniently forget details. Like him wearing a Fidel Castro T-shirt to a press conference and saying America should be more like Cuba.
______________________________________
Don't know why but this campaign feels genuine to me, as opposed to an opportunistic attempt by Nike to curry favor with their consumers. More power to them.
Dean Ross
PS have you seen the responses on Twitter to John Rich's Tweet on this? Very funny and enlightening
______________________________________
Less than 50% of eligible voters accessed their right to vote - SHAME!. You want to break the log jam? Replace 50%+ of Congress and the Senate.
Now for Kaepernick - you want to impress me? Protest on your day off, on you time, not during a football game. Do you job land show me your dedication to the cause on your own time - let me watch the game in peace, PLEASE!
Thomas B.
______________________________________
I wear my Nikes proud!
Terri Haram
______________________________________
I can just imaging the social media cry to boycott Nike. Outlets like Fox are probably broadcasting clips about people switching brands because they want to make America great again to that time when athletes just played their sport.
Jonathan Schneider
______________________________________
That's the funniest analysis I ever read. You threw the Puerto Rico situation in there? All the fed gov't. supplies sat in port rotting like Live Aid food in 1985. The local gov't. has been so corrupt. St Thomas got destroyed by the same hurricane. However, you do not see the same issues.
Thomas Kenny
______________________________________
As someone on CBC radio (Canada's national broadcaster) said this morning, if only Nike would refuse to manufacture anything for the Cleveland Indians or Washington Redskins until they changed their names and logos.
N. Russell
______________________________________
Bravo. This is the first time I've given a crap about Nike in my entire 57 years of living. Now they get my respect.
John Horner
______________________________________
Haha. Agent Orange. Love your music disagree with your politics. I have more money in my pocket, more freedom with my health care and the US is finally respected abroad. Unemployment is super low, small business thriving, no more phony Iran deal. But let's attack this President over and over while his policies make us incredibly strong and economically sound. A place we haven't been in such a long time. It's you who don't really care about minorities, otherwise you'd applaud the lowest employment rate in decades for minoroties. No... you're for status quo... Bush, Obama, Biden... they are status quo. All doing it the same way and failing miserably. We all say we want an outsider and when we get him
he actually starts winning and you want to go back, because you're afraid. But we're not going back... ever.
Tres Sasser
______________________________________
How can anyone disagree that aggressive, unnecessary violence by authorities (especially against a particular group) is a problem? Since when is kneeling a sign of disrespect to anything— ever? How has the conversation been allowed to be coopted by dog whistle racism? So much extreme polarization, politically, economically, racially— BUT—-It is starting to feel like the pendulum is swinging back the other way if walking through Boston yesterday (labor day) was any indication . There were hundreds of energetic union members picketing in the streets waving signs reading "One job should be enough". Yes, it should. One indication hopefully of more to come. The rich should not be the only citizens entitled to dignity and access to some form of a life outside of making ends meet. And calling out abuses of power is precisely what this country was founded on.
Bob Kalill
______________________________________
Right on
Randi Swindel
______________________________________
Yesterday was the first day I thought Colin Kaepernick might actually succeed to the fullest extent possible. Last year when no team would sign him -- an obvious starting QB -- I thought both his career and cause were derailed. But, with the lawsuit moving forward and this Nike support, I think he might actually play again one day and that he might actually get people talking about the point of his protest: police brutality.
Gordon Chaffin
______________________________________
If only we could get the music of the 60s back.
Jeff Lewis
______________________________________
Right on!
Marty Hecker
Denver, CO
______________________________________
Immeasurable respect for Nike to do what no other company has shown to have the balls to do... lay it all on the line for what is right. Wasn't a Nike guy before but you can bet your sweet ass I am now.
Nike got down on their knees, looked the John Rich's of the world right in the eye and said, "F the racists, we ain't about that...multiply that by millions."
PIGSOCKS - RACISTS
Understanding is an exercise, perception is a choice...
Aben Eubanks
______________________________________
I get it.
Good for Nike
Better for Colin
He deserves the acknowledgment
However
Nike using this to sell shoes made by underpaid Vietnamese workers to people, black and white, who consider themselves "woke" seems like a bit of a conundrum.
Jack Haynes
______________________________________
Beautiful, man
Gregory Spradling
______________________________________
I've never understood the resistance to Colin K's 'taking a knee'.
America likes to say it was built on this idea of the individualist standing up for the right values even in the face of opposition.
Colin K didn't hurt anyone, didn't scream, or demean any other person. He didn't even demand attention. He took a very simple, very quiet, and poetic action to protest a very obvious problem.
I know Nike's move is partly marketing. But in this crazy era, which is a lot like the sixties, and in some ways much worse, I take my hat off to Nike.
My admiration for Colin K, though is boundless. He's a true hero.
Karen Gordon
______________________________________
And to all those ignorant anti-Kaep folks that are exploiting Pat Tillman's name for this issue - Tillman was a Chomsky-reading American that thought the Iraq War was "fucking illegal." How does that fit into your narrative?
And yes, athletes like Kaepernick are fellow human beings. Amen brother!
"That's right, most of the players are black. Who cares if they're paid a lot. First and foremost they're people."
Cheers,
Bill Lackemacher (not anonymously)
Sacramento
______________________________________
Who knew it would be a Shoe company that makes the stand! Before movies, before (most) top pop, rock , hip hop and country artists--- before mostly everyone. Proud to wear my Nike's today. Le Resistance!—Gary Spivack
______________________________________
"And Nike's record is not perfect, but they've done a very good job of protecting athletes, standing by them, "
Sure is feeling like the 60s! Where are those shoes made? Are we going back to that nasty nihilistic cynicism of the Age of Aquarius?
"No one in America likes to sacrifice."
What's he getting paid? More than Pat Tillman got paid?
Cheers!
Michael Lang
______________________________________
Thank you Bob!
Victor Krag
______________________________________
Amen.
Ryan Richardson
______________________________________
Thanks Bob
It does feel like the 60s all over again. If George Wallace or Barry Goldwater were to raise up out of the grave and run, they might have a chance in 2020! But we're not going to let that happen are we?
Kenny Lee Lewis
______________________________________
This is to Trump Republicans as what the Cavangh hearings are to Democrats
Rick Goodrich
______________________________________
Hi Bob. Interesting as usual. Maybe you have seen a similar history of the Nat'l anthem during football games. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/nfl-sideline-anthem/
This is not a spontaneous display of patriotism. This is a cynical, for-profit display pitched by our government and NFL owners and paid for with your tax dollars. I do not see the value. I'm liberal and big on Free Speech. However I feel the players are on company time and should be willing to follow reasonable rules. If players want to make a political statement, they can do it on their own time. Imagine if I "took a knee" at my company meetings to make a point, hijacking the purpose of the meeting in the process. How long before I'm asked to continue my career elsewhere? So please explain to me why NFL players should be treated differently.
Jon Brooks
______________________________________
Brilliant. We need a Revolution and we need it now. #justdoit
Lynn Crosswaite
______________________________________
Right on Bob!
Sorta like the 60s again... but back then it was musicians leading. It wasn't the FBI, intelligence agencies like the CIA and Big Corporations leading the way. What does that say about the rest of us? Cowering are we?
Michael Hugos
______________________________________
Good one bob. In the sixties we were all about the revolution. We fought a war against a war and won. It wasn't the VC who beat the U.S. Army, It was the Hippies and the musicians who led them, starting with The Beatles.
Jane Fonda showed more courage than almost anyone. Few of the bands expected to get rich, and that was never the goal. When they did achieve fame and fortune they did not abandon their ideals. Most of today's musicians are focused on the money first, have no ideals, and music suffers because of it.
More importantly, they have abandoned the last line of defense against the (R)azi Party.
Pax, Hartmann
______________________________________
Oh Bob,
You're going to get so much shit for this one that you're going to need a bigger septic tank.
But good for you, and good for Nike. When you actually see somebody taking a stand that might actually impact them negatively and they still do it, it's a lovely thing. It happens so infrequently.
Keep reporting .
Best,
Rik Shafer
______________________________________
And every single idiot out there burning their Nikes (or their kids' Nikes) has no idea what Kaepernick's protest was actually about. Because they are not equipped to go learn and understand for themselves. They actually believe what some stooge on Fox News tells them to believe. And then they can't believe it when they are shorn for the sheep they are. I think I'll BBQ some lamb tonight, wearing my Nikes.
Jeff Pinhey
______________________________________
Respect
I'll buy more Nike.
Nike is all about the ATHLETES. And the athletes understand what this protest is about. Not only the right moral move - I suspect a good business one in the end. Re focus from the armchair quarterbacks, overweight critics who can go buy their walking shoes at sketchers.
Stand up to stand out to paraphrase what I've read in your newsletters over the year.
Rob Meder
PS shoe dog is the best non fiction book I've read in years if you haven't read it.
______________________________________
Well done, thanks
Paul Zullo
______________________________________
I've been a season ticket holder to the Niners since 1979. I saw the entire Kapernick situation unfold. Now what he says he is doing in regards to racial inequality and police treatment of minorities is laudable, it all started as a fraud. He was being a cry-baby because he got benched. When he was asked about it by a rookie reporter he had to come up with something to say, other than being a bad sport.
It is also interesting that John Elway, the GM of the Denver Broncos, offered Kapernick a contract about twenty months ago, but Kapernick turned it down. He wanted more money and to be a starter. SO how can he prove collusion?
Matt Grandi in Marin
______________________________________
This is an excellent point - "Not only with the CTE issue but the fact that the owners are reinforcing racism with their plantation mind-set. That's right, most of the players are black. Who cares if they're paid a lot. First and foremost they're people."
Bob, you are a true journalist.
Eric Spence
______________________________________
Great email Bob,
What was the Nike brand yesterday? To me, it had started to become
#UsedToDoIt. It made me think about older people who wore a logo on their clothing as they drink beer and watched the football games. Nike reminded them of the glory days of when they were young, played sports and felt significant. All this Nike backlash we're seeing, is just going to make this campaign more powerful. Nike is choosing sides, they know the younger generation is their future. Wearing Nike is now going to be a statement about your morals and ethic, it will be part of your identity. I'm so blown away by this. #JustDoItAgain
And just for the record, I likely fall in that first camp with Adidas. I'm
pretty sure that my affinity for that brand goes back to my younger days
when I was a wanna-be b-boy poppin and lockin to Run DMC's "My Adidas."
They make me feel cool, and frankly I?m OK with that.
Thanks for all the thought provoking material,
Carl Jacobson
Director, Global Marketing Communications
HARMAN Professional Solutions
______________________________________
Trump doesn't care about players kneeling; he's pissed because they're playing the wrong anthem at the games.
David Ray
______________________________________
So much respect for Kaepernick and Nike. Thanks for reminding us how huge this is. Let's hope those big brands follow.
Kris Long
______________________________________
Your analysis left out one crucial fact: Kaepernick is bad at football.
Best,
Charlie Gaylord
______________________________________
Thank you for this one.
Sincerely. Thank you.
Brandon Chamberlain
______________________________________
It's a crime to be white. Why would anyone who sees the light put their name down on big brothers docket. Nike don't give a damn. They just want sell more product to the degenerative, half bread youth that thinks taking a stand in being gangsta is buying more shit with stickers still on it. California is crawling with these young, angry baby debtors.
The enemy should have one, again..
Tim
______________________________________
Your point about Nike would be a little stronger if they didn't have a deal with the NFL until 2028. That deal was announced in March of this year. Interesting timeline and all about business.
Morgan Hunter
London, Ontario
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No doubt about it, this is one of the gutsiest marketing decisions since the Apple Super Bowl ad where the guy throws the hammer at the big screen.
Your assessment of the NFL losing its grip is totally accurate, but you miss one major cause; the old knockers who made owning season tickets a culture symbol of success, are all over 85 years old and dying. Most that are still alive, can't handle the walk from specialparking to their elevated seats. Most are selling their tickets each week to ticket brokers , pocketing a profit and watching at home on their big screen, in their LazyBoy lounger.
Their successful small business, that is now run by their spoiled oldest son or daughter may no longer buy tickets with write off entertainment dollars, which over the years became a perk for the owner and was his "family time", once per week.
Nike has and will capture the "gestalt "of the moment , better than any other entity in our current culture. This will start the avalanche of sentiment that will kill Trump at his tweeting heart beat. He won't be able to control this narrative. It will be a beautiful thing to watch.
The owners have lost control of their ability to determine their destiny. This will also be a beautiful thing to watch.
Jerry Jones will be lucky to escape with his life. His plantation may burn down.
The real suckers may end up being all the tax payers who are on the hook for the repayment of the stadium bonds in every major city. What if you can't fill all those seats at $200 per game, because the new generation of fan only makes $55K per year and has no health care insurance? Who says the spending priority/pattern will continue in the same manner? Example, I spent many dollars to teach my kids to ski/snowboard. Every weekend I sent them up on a bus for lessons and free style skiing. They loved it. Today neither of them go because a tow ticket and transportation is over a $150 per day.
Skiing has become too expensive for their spending priority list of must have experiences. This will happen to the NFL. You may like K. Mack , who just got traded to the Bears, but can one guy be worth $30 million per year as a percentage of your total gross , in a market like Chicago, where you might get shot, going home from the game?
This event/decision by Nike will be the biggest thing since Obama getting elected and setting a new paradigm of who gets to sit at the table of the daily dialogue for the evening news and social media air waves
Thomas Geimer
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What kind of messed up world do we live in? Apparently, one where we ignore lessons already learned, long ago- and many times over.
Muhammad Ali was a pariah, excoriated for his anti-war stance, shunned because he told the truth about being treated like a second-class citizen in his own country... until he wasn't. That's right, America figured out that the Vietnam war was unjust, a mistake. And that Ali was right about racial discrimination. After America woke up, Ali became a national treasure, cheered by millions as he highlighted the Olympic torch ceremony in Atlanta.
At another Olympic Games in Mexico City, Tommie Smith and John Carlos were sent home for raising their gloved fists in another truthful protest. Avery Brundage and the powers in place- exclusively old, white, male powers- decided that was the wrong time and place to protest. Brundage did everything possible to discredit the two athletes. Today, Smith and Carlos are seen as heroes. Speaking the truth in the most difficult of situations, they displayed bravery of the highest order.
Today, we watch as Colin Kaepernick draws nationwide ire. As does Nike for supporting his courage. Kaep speaks the truth at an inconvenient time. He should have just enjoyed his multi-millionaire status and "played the damn game", according to the keyboard patriots littering my Facebook feed. His actions are seen as unpatriotic and disgraceful to flag and country by about one-third of our population.
At the same time, that same 33% of Americans unflaggingly support the most famous draft dodger in the country. They heap praise on a president whose only real accomplishment so far has been to enrich himself and his cronies.
History has a funny way of repeating itself. And it always comes as a surprise to those who refuse to learn from it. Being on the right side of history in a changing time can be terribly challenging. It takes true courage, the ability to do unpopular things, to take radical stands.
Let's recognize Nike for doing what musicians used to do- recognizing some changes that our country needs, and helping to lead the way. I know I'll be looking back over the next few years to see who picked up the flag and followed, and who didn't.
-Mark K. Day
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Can't wait to buy a pair of Kaepernick's Nikes.
Tim Fricke
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