https://amzn.to/2wCtMW4
She got pregnant at twelve.
Do all artists come from a fucked-up background? After all, if you're loved and complete, what do you have to bitch about?
Plenty, but not as much as the broken people.
Kathy Valentine drank and drugged with her single mother, who established absolutely no limits. Valentine says kids are looking for limits, I don't know, because I can still remember my father screaming at the top of his lungs, insisting I behave in one way or another.
And then she was bitten by rock and roll.
You remember the people who were bitten by tech, right? The ones who moved to San Francisco, the ones who started developing apps? Very few made it,
But a few did.
Same deal with rock and roll and Kathy Valentine.
The boomers' past is fading in the rearview mirror, and being rewritten by those who either were not there or would rather erase the battles and freedoms won in that era. There was a complete upheaval, the young 'uns against the establishment, and the establishment had no clue, all it could employ to combat the youth was scolding and in extreme cases the police.
And what fueled that upheaval?
Music!
People always say the turning point was the Beatles, and that definitely was a significant event, but you should never forget the impact of the folk movement that preceded it. After all, that's where Bob Dylan got his start, that's where he became famous first.
And you didn't have to go to Newport. If you went to camp, those folk songs were sung. And they were inherently different from what was on the hit parade, they were not mindless drivel, they had subterfuge built in.
And then the Beatles came along and all hell broke loose.
There's a music business now, but it's nothing like it was back then. As a matter of fact, today's music business resembles the pre-Beatle era more than it does the post-Beatle era. People didn't froth at the mouth if you worked in the music business, you could get a gig at a record store no problem, and then the entire world flip-flopped. Getting a gig at Tower Sunset was akin to getting into Harvard, maybe even better, you made better connections. You dreamed of working at a record label! I don't think that tops the dreams of today's kids.
So, Valentine is bitten by the bug. Only the lightbulb went off for her seeing Suzi Quatro on TV, not the Beatles.
Quatro never really made it in America. She ultimately appeared on "Happy Days," but that show had no edge, none of the thump of her bass or the intensity of her records.
And Kathy Valentine wanted to follow in Suzi Quatro's footsteps.
She got a guitar, and a lame Peavey amp that she regretted buying nearly immediately.
And then she infiltrated the scene.
That's another thing that's different, you couldn't hook up on the internet, that's why everybody went to New York or L.A...that's where the players were!
But living in Austin, Valentine got to see and meet all that city's royalty, she knew Stevie Ray when he said his brother Jimmie had more licks than he did, when he just got on stage and played everything he knew.
So, Valentine and Carla Olson got together in L.A.
Well, Valentine moved there with their drummer, her best friend Marilyn, who immediately ditched Kathy because she wasn't old enough to get into the clubs.
So, Valentine and Olson formed the Textones and...
Olson never made it.
If you lived through the era, all the names and locations are familiar. They may seem glitzy from afar, but Club 88 was a dump far off the beaten path. A scene was building, but no one broke through until the Knack, and most of the bands did not get record deals and those who did tended not to make it. You couldn't turn on KROQ without hearing the Plimsouls' "A Million Miles Away," but that was the only place you heard it, until it was ultimately featured in the movie "Valley Girl." There was a scene, with famous players, who even got a ton of local ink, like Olson, but they never broke out of the city, they kept their day jobs.
So Valentine lucks into a gig with the Go-Go's, she's a better player than the girl she replaces, and she gets the gig and goes on a wild ride until it ends.
Oh, she's drinkin' and druggin' and fuckin' and then...BOOM! The brand breaks up.
In hindsight she places blame on the manager(s), and the way the band mishandled some of their own decisions.
Bands are always ungrateful. They'll leave a manager on a whim. They always think they can make it without the manager, but the truth is they never do. Ginger Canzoneri was inexperienced, but she got the band where they were.
As for Valentine?
The Go-Go's had no loyalty to her, she came late, just before the breakthrough, she did not fight in the trenches with them, with only one goal, to make it, and a million minefields in their way.
Which is why supergroups never seem to last. The bands did not grow up together, ride in vans together, schlepp their own equipment together.
But it was a different era.
The Go-Go's told their label IRS they did not want a third single from their album and they nixed endorsement deals. Can you imagine that happening today? NO WAY!
Actually, money was not a factor until the checks came in, and then it was clear the songwriters were making much more. And when you split your other income five ways...that makes a difference.
Maybe the band never recovered from that.
Maybe the band never recovered from nixing Jane Wiedlin's desire to sing her own song.
Bands are not corporations. Well, maybe they're incorporated, but you can't learn how to build one by getting an MBA. And you can't learn how to form and break one in any school music program. Every band is different, and there are a lot of great bands that don't make it. First and foremost, can the band stay together? And if it does...who is the champion, who gets the band notice, and who writes the songs...oftentimes they're different people. The introvert writes the songs and the extroverts break the band. Can you say Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth? And the resentments run deep. And luck is always a factor. And usually, the only people who can get excited about you have no music business experience.
It was very different from today. Now the label will sign an act for a single, hope to make its entire investment back on that. But in the old days, signing a band was a commitment, of money, time and effort, you didn't do it on a whim.
And even if you got signed... Did the record come out right? Is your champion still at the label? Did MTV and radio change formats, leaving you out?
The Go-Go's blew up as a result of MTV.
Today MTV is meaningless.
And today kids are smart. There are two types:
1. Those who know the score.
2. The ignorant who will do anything to make it and most times won't.
No one worried about their future back then, they didn't graduate from college and get a gig from a recruiter. I kid you not when I tell you that when I graduated from college, I had no idea what an MBA was! And studying and going into business? What could be more boring!
Which is another reason why MBAs have not been successful in the music business. When asked by the Warner Music brass how he planned to have better numbers the next year, Ahmet Ertegun didn't make a spreadsheet, never mind a PowerPoint presentation, he said...HAVE MORE HITS!
You fly by the seat of your pants in the music business.
It's a game of musical chairs, and Kathy Valentine got left out. She didn't really make that much money, a pittance compared to the techies, and then she blew it. You would have saved, but you could never have been a rock star!
So this book is different from every rock autobiography I've ever read.
Usually, they're ghostwritten, or done with a collaborator. And usually, they're just a recitation of the facts, with some wild stories mixed in. They're little different from an episode of "Behind the Music."
But you can be sure Kathy Valentine wrote this book herself.
Overwrote in fact. She includes too many descriptors and allusions, they're well-done, but they detract from the narrative, a little anyway. You see this is her first book, and experience counts. You've got to write for the audience, not the Iowa Writers' Workshop, and the book must first and foremost be readable.
But Valentine is aiming much higher than the rest of the rock biographies. This isn't one and done, just the first journey on a road of writing.
And writing is a skill. And she's definitely got something.
So, this is not like Linda Ronstadt's book, there's plenty of dirt, even if that's not the focus.
And it's not tied into a bigger promotion.
It's just Kathy Valentine's story.
Now I don't know her, and I'm still not sure I know her after this book. Was she the wild chick who alienated people or the glue that kept things together, or did she have to get sober to become complete?
Now let's be clear, Valentine is more forthcoming than most musicians. Oh, they'll tell you about their bad behavior and how they're clean now, but you don't get much of their inner life.
I've still got questions.
Valentine does an excellent job of describing how it feels to be left out. Caffey ties up with Carlisle and they have great success and great incomes, and Wiedlin has a hit and Schock gets a deal with Capitol. One day you're on top of the world, the next you're a has-been, not a complete unknown, but definitely a rolling stone. How do you cope with that?
Well, Kathy Valentine got sober. She even went back to college and got her degree, something almost unheard of from those who've had success. She still plays in bands, but her glory days, and her big income, are behind her.
And now, the Go-Go's are living on their legend, none of them can have a hit, as a matter of fact, the hits of the others dried up pretty fast. So, there are a couple of years of success and then everybody runs on fumes, sometimes for the rest of their lives, which is sad. At least Valentine seems to have broken the mold on this.
But what really makes "All I Ever Wanted" interesting, is it's the viewpoint of a girl/woman, how she wanted to be in rock and roll, which was dominated by men, and found a way to succeed. We hear all about sexism in the business, but rarely through the eyes of those who made it.
The road is like a pajama party with drugs and alcohol, this is not the male world of groupies.
But they're women, so they're hit on, they can't live normal lives, they have to be on guard all the time, this is what the Me Too movement is all about. The basic is...CAN WOMEN FEEL SAFE AROUND MEN?
Many times no.
But Kathy Valentine tested the limits. She hitchhiked, she wasn't afraid of the world, she did not know any better, she ran on instinct, being in a rock band was all she ever wanted, she lived her dream.
But dreams never last.
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Saturday 11 April 2020
Thursday 9 April 2020
Arts Review
"The Dutch House"
Ann Patchett
This is a huge bestseller, and deservedly so.
Most of the big sellers today are genre books, mysteries, thrillers and lowbrow stuff that cannot be recommended. But "The Dutch House" is a good old-fashioned story, about people and their lives. And just like real life, everything doesn't always work out. I'd love to tell you more, but I don't want to give away any plot points. I read for the surprise, for the experience, which is why I essentially never reread or watch movies again.
I've been hit and miss on Patchett, she wrote one of the few books I could never finish on my Kindle. But this book called to me, to stop doing anything else and finish it, and that's what I'm looking for in a read.
One quote that resonated:
"I'd never been in the position of getting my head around what I'd been given. I only understood what I'd lost."
I'm a glass half-empty guy. My shrink brings this up all the time.
https://amzn.to/39UiCtb
"The Glass Hotel"
Emily St. John Mandel
Mandel shoots higher than Patchett, but she does not hit her target. "The Glass Hotel" is really two books, one about the lives of siblings, the other about the situations they find themselves in later.
I'd purchased the book, had started it, and then all the papers reviewed it and put the key plot point in the headline before I'd gotten to it. Makes me crazy! I don't want the review to be a CliffsNotes version of the book, I just want to know what kind of book it is and whether it's good. As for the reviews, I haven't gone back and read them, why? Especially in the "New York Times," the reviewers frequently make it about themselves as opposed to the book and this drives me nuts.
Anyway, I loved Emily St. John Mandel's previous book, "Station Eleven," so I bought this the moment it came out. And that's Monday at midnight for those in the Kindle world.
Despite not achieving its goal, "The Glass Hotel" has tons of wisdom, whereas "The Dutch House" is to a great degree just a story.
"Easy now, he told himself. He was aware of a weakness for rhapsodizing on his industry at excessive length."
I wait for the signal, I never jump in uninvited. If people are really listening, I'll go on forever, but usually they aren't, they don't really care. Then there are the people who get you on the phone and they go into deep detail on minutiae, they want to be heard, they don't really care if you get up and make a sandwich, they're out of touch with the listener. If I'm talking, I'm constantly gauging the response, I'm so fearful of burning people out.
"and that's when I realized money is its own country."
St. John Mandel nails the bubble the rich live in, with no consciousness of how the rest of us live our lives, that's one of the great things about the book.
"because that's what money gives you: the freedom to stop thinking about money."
EXACTLY! You don't want to be a starving artist, because if you're starving, that's all you can think about, unfortunately I know from experience. Those on the bottom are just one foible away from a crisis. They get a flat, their TV goes on the fritz and they can't afford to fix it. People romanticize the poor, non-rich people are proud that they've got less, our values are screwed up, no one should have to worry about getting fed and having a roof over their head.
"if you've never been without, then you won't understand the profundity of this, how absolutely this changes your life."
Whether you had it and lost it, or never had it, poor is also a different country. In a land where those in power have only read about the poor, oftentimes the rich and those in power just don't get it. This is how Trump got elected. The Democrats are still out of touch with their core constituency, unless they consider it to be the educated boomers, and there are not enough of them to win an election.
You need to read Rachel Bitecofer on this. The following article was written in the middle of March, before it was clear Biden would win the nomination, but there's more wisdom here than I've read in the WSJ, NYT or the WaPo: https://bit.ly/2y1axpm You'll understand more about the populace and how it votes if you read this interview. The truth is, those in big media, at the DNC, have no idea how their constituents really feel and what decides elections. Once again, Bitecofer was the only person to call 2018 correctly.
"all of the stalling motions that smokers perform when they're not sure what to say and have seen too many movies."
We all experience this, but to see it articulated makes you feel connected, which is why you read fiction.
"It turned out that never having that conversation with Vincent meant that he was somehow condemned to ALWAYS have that conversation with Vincent."
When you don't say it, you think about it all the time. When you do, there is movement, the situation changes, and you forget about it.
https://amzn.to/2XpQgo0
RECOMMENDATIONS
"Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup"
Even if you think you know the Theranos story, you MUST read "Bad Blood," it's the hardest book to put down that I've read in a decade.
https://amzn.to/2y1EmpN
"Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man's Fight for Justice"
You'll learn more about Russia than a year of reading the newspaper. Easy to read and jaw-dropping.
https://amzn.to/3c1Ugiw
The above two books are non-fiction, I'm loath to recommend fiction, everybody has different taste. But I'll take a risk.
"The Great Alone"
Kristin Hannah
I loved this book, I loved the darkness of Alaska. When a book takes you away, it's best.
Some may see this as woman slanted, I guess it depends on what kind of guy you are. If you're the kind of guy who reads fiction, not only non-fiction, maybe.
I could list all the highly-touted books that are unreadable, like Leslie Jamison's "The Empathy Exams," but that's a different article. Just know the higher brow the publication is, oftentimes the less reliable the reviews are.
https://amzn.to/2JS1dH1
"Ozark"
Netflix
The first two episodes give you the impression that season three will be a let-down, it is most decidedly not. There's way too much action, but the performances are so stellar and so integrated. This is not watching Meryl Streep act outside of the ensemble, Laura Linney is astounding, she truly embodies the character. And Janet McTeer is icily cold. And the kids know and the tension is high and despite being fiction, there are so many lessons on how the world really works.
"Money Heist"
Netflix
Season four. Good, but a disappointment. Some of the action seems truly implausible, but you watch waiting for a conclusion and...
I enjoyed it. But it's a mindless diversion.
"Babylon Berlin"
Netflix
Season three. The best shot show on television. However, the plot doesn't quite measure up to that standard. A main plot point concerns a movie, and when moviemakers use the movies as main feature of the story, it's like when authors write about authors and musicians sing about musicians, we all don't live in their worlds, we all can't relate to them.
And the strangest thing about season three is...
Season four of "Money Heist" was obviously shot at the same time as season three. But season three of "Babylon Berlin" was obviously shot later than the first two seasons, and the actors have aged, and it throws you a bit off guard. Liv Lisa Fries is suddenly a woman as opposed to a girl on the cusp of adulthood. She's still phenomenal, but the vibe is a bit different.
And when there's a long hiatus between seasons, it's jarring, you don't remember everything, which is why I'd rather binge...four, five or six seasons. Because not only is it hard to pick up, it's hard to end. I know, they've got to write and shoot more, but I'm ready for the next seasons of "Ozark" and "Money Heist" today!
RECOMMENDATIONS
"Happy Valley" on Netflix, start there. And if that resonates, move on to "Broadchurch," "The Fall," "The Killing" and "The Bodyguard."
As for Amazon, I'm partial to "Bosch," which is returning with its sixth (out of seven!) season on April 17th.
And you know I love the French shows, "Spiral," "A French Village," but not everyone is up for subtitles, so I don't recommend you start there. Then again, there was that story in the "Wall Street Journal" about people leaving subtitles on all the time, that's what I do!
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Ann Patchett
This is a huge bestseller, and deservedly so.
Most of the big sellers today are genre books, mysteries, thrillers and lowbrow stuff that cannot be recommended. But "The Dutch House" is a good old-fashioned story, about people and their lives. And just like real life, everything doesn't always work out. I'd love to tell you more, but I don't want to give away any plot points. I read for the surprise, for the experience, which is why I essentially never reread or watch movies again.
I've been hit and miss on Patchett, she wrote one of the few books I could never finish on my Kindle. But this book called to me, to stop doing anything else and finish it, and that's what I'm looking for in a read.
One quote that resonated:
"I'd never been in the position of getting my head around what I'd been given. I only understood what I'd lost."
I'm a glass half-empty guy. My shrink brings this up all the time.
https://amzn.to/39UiCtb
"The Glass Hotel"
Emily St. John Mandel
Mandel shoots higher than Patchett, but she does not hit her target. "The Glass Hotel" is really two books, one about the lives of siblings, the other about the situations they find themselves in later.
I'd purchased the book, had started it, and then all the papers reviewed it and put the key plot point in the headline before I'd gotten to it. Makes me crazy! I don't want the review to be a CliffsNotes version of the book, I just want to know what kind of book it is and whether it's good. As for the reviews, I haven't gone back and read them, why? Especially in the "New York Times," the reviewers frequently make it about themselves as opposed to the book and this drives me nuts.
Anyway, I loved Emily St. John Mandel's previous book, "Station Eleven," so I bought this the moment it came out. And that's Monday at midnight for those in the Kindle world.
Despite not achieving its goal, "The Glass Hotel" has tons of wisdom, whereas "The Dutch House" is to a great degree just a story.
"Easy now, he told himself. He was aware of a weakness for rhapsodizing on his industry at excessive length."
I wait for the signal, I never jump in uninvited. If people are really listening, I'll go on forever, but usually they aren't, they don't really care. Then there are the people who get you on the phone and they go into deep detail on minutiae, they want to be heard, they don't really care if you get up and make a sandwich, they're out of touch with the listener. If I'm talking, I'm constantly gauging the response, I'm so fearful of burning people out.
"and that's when I realized money is its own country."
St. John Mandel nails the bubble the rich live in, with no consciousness of how the rest of us live our lives, that's one of the great things about the book.
"because that's what money gives you: the freedom to stop thinking about money."
EXACTLY! You don't want to be a starving artist, because if you're starving, that's all you can think about, unfortunately I know from experience. Those on the bottom are just one foible away from a crisis. They get a flat, their TV goes on the fritz and they can't afford to fix it. People romanticize the poor, non-rich people are proud that they've got less, our values are screwed up, no one should have to worry about getting fed and having a roof over their head.
"if you've never been without, then you won't understand the profundity of this, how absolutely this changes your life."
Whether you had it and lost it, or never had it, poor is also a different country. In a land where those in power have only read about the poor, oftentimes the rich and those in power just don't get it. This is how Trump got elected. The Democrats are still out of touch with their core constituency, unless they consider it to be the educated boomers, and there are not enough of them to win an election.
You need to read Rachel Bitecofer on this. The following article was written in the middle of March, before it was clear Biden would win the nomination, but there's more wisdom here than I've read in the WSJ, NYT or the WaPo: https://bit.ly/2y1axpm You'll understand more about the populace and how it votes if you read this interview. The truth is, those in big media, at the DNC, have no idea how their constituents really feel and what decides elections. Once again, Bitecofer was the only person to call 2018 correctly.
"all of the stalling motions that smokers perform when they're not sure what to say and have seen too many movies."
We all experience this, but to see it articulated makes you feel connected, which is why you read fiction.
"It turned out that never having that conversation with Vincent meant that he was somehow condemned to ALWAYS have that conversation with Vincent."
When you don't say it, you think about it all the time. When you do, there is movement, the situation changes, and you forget about it.
https://amzn.to/2XpQgo0
RECOMMENDATIONS
"Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup"
Even if you think you know the Theranos story, you MUST read "Bad Blood," it's the hardest book to put down that I've read in a decade.
https://amzn.to/2y1EmpN
"Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man's Fight for Justice"
You'll learn more about Russia than a year of reading the newspaper. Easy to read and jaw-dropping.
https://amzn.to/3c1Ugiw
The above two books are non-fiction, I'm loath to recommend fiction, everybody has different taste. But I'll take a risk.
"The Great Alone"
Kristin Hannah
I loved this book, I loved the darkness of Alaska. When a book takes you away, it's best.
Some may see this as woman slanted, I guess it depends on what kind of guy you are. If you're the kind of guy who reads fiction, not only non-fiction, maybe.
I could list all the highly-touted books that are unreadable, like Leslie Jamison's "The Empathy Exams," but that's a different article. Just know the higher brow the publication is, oftentimes the less reliable the reviews are.
https://amzn.to/2JS1dH1
"Ozark"
Netflix
The first two episodes give you the impression that season three will be a let-down, it is most decidedly not. There's way too much action, but the performances are so stellar and so integrated. This is not watching Meryl Streep act outside of the ensemble, Laura Linney is astounding, she truly embodies the character. And Janet McTeer is icily cold. And the kids know and the tension is high and despite being fiction, there are so many lessons on how the world really works.
"Money Heist"
Netflix
Season four. Good, but a disappointment. Some of the action seems truly implausible, but you watch waiting for a conclusion and...
I enjoyed it. But it's a mindless diversion.
"Babylon Berlin"
Netflix
Season three. The best shot show on television. However, the plot doesn't quite measure up to that standard. A main plot point concerns a movie, and when moviemakers use the movies as main feature of the story, it's like when authors write about authors and musicians sing about musicians, we all don't live in their worlds, we all can't relate to them.
And the strangest thing about season three is...
Season four of "Money Heist" was obviously shot at the same time as season three. But season three of "Babylon Berlin" was obviously shot later than the first two seasons, and the actors have aged, and it throws you a bit off guard. Liv Lisa Fries is suddenly a woman as opposed to a girl on the cusp of adulthood. She's still phenomenal, but the vibe is a bit different.
And when there's a long hiatus between seasons, it's jarring, you don't remember everything, which is why I'd rather binge...four, five or six seasons. Because not only is it hard to pick up, it's hard to end. I know, they've got to write and shoot more, but I'm ready for the next seasons of "Ozark" and "Money Heist" today!
RECOMMENDATIONS
"Happy Valley" on Netflix, start there. And if that resonates, move on to "Broadchurch," "The Fall," "The Killing" and "The Bodyguard."
As for Amazon, I'm partial to "Bosch," which is returning with its sixth (out of seven!) season on April 17th.
And you know I love the French shows, "Spiral," "A French Village," but not everyone is up for subtitles, so I don't recommend you start there. Then again, there was that story in the "Wall Street Journal" about people leaving subtitles on all the time, that's what I do!
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-Apple: https://apple.co/2ndmpvp
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Jack Dorsey Calls
His "fund" is totally different from Zuckerberg's. He did not do it for tax advantages. Jack said there were no tax advantages. And he draws no salary from either Twitter or Square anyway.
You see the way most billionaires do it is they give the money to a foundation they control, getting a huge tax advantage, and then dole out the money as they see fit, as opposed to giving it directly to third party charities.
So, Jack put a billion dollars worth of Square stock into an LLC. And since it's stock, if the value of Square goes up, so does the stock in the LLC. The value of the stock Jack originally gave has already increased to $1.2 billion.
Jack wanted to give $2 billion worth of stock, but that would have affected his "power" at Square.
Now the LLC, run by two people, gives money to a donor-advised, 501(c)(3), fund at Fidelity.
If the LLC were to give money to a non-501(c)(3), there would be taxes on that exchange, but if the money is given to a 501(c)(3), there is not.
Furthermore, the press got it wrong, it wasn't a billion dollars worth of stock just to assist in the fight of the Covid-19 pandemic. If the pandemic continues, maybe the entire billion will be used for that, but if not, Jack's primary interests are health, education and universal basic income, that's where the money will be distributed.
And diving deeper into the details, all of the stock can't be sold at one time, because that would affect the value of all Square stock.
So, some decisions have already been made, where the money is to go. I'll let Jack announce it, but he's speaking to issues in the penumbra of Covid-19, like domestic abuse and prisons and areas that are severely underfunded right now.
Jack assures me there are no personal tax advantages to any "gift."
He also told me it took two and a half weeks to set up the structure.
And Jack also said starting and running a company has huge Wall Street consequences. He said if he started another company he would do it open source, for the good of the people as opposed to being focused primarily on money.
So, to clarify, I was wrong to lump Jack Dorsey's charitable efforts in with those of Mark Zuckerberg and the other billionaires mentioned in the Hasan Minhaj episode.
But let me be clear, Jack did not call me to get me to make a correction, anything but, I'm doing it because I want you to trust ME. I can get it wrong, I can make mistakes.
Jack said unlike other people giving money away, he was focused on transparency.
He has chronicled the entire process on Twitter and you can read it here: https://twitter.com/jack/status/1247616214769086465
Also, he plans to continue being transparent, making public all the donations.
Jack does not want to start a foundation, he just wants to get the money where it is needed.
And the world is broken into two kinds of people, those on Twitter and those who are not. Twitter got a bad name because it was seen as a social network, just like Facebook, Instagram or Snap, but the truth is it's an information network. Sure, there are those fighting for attention on Twitter, those starting petty wars, but they're very easily ignored, Twitter is democratic, if you've got very few followers, you're voice has little reach.
Twitter is where you go for breaking news, where you go to take the temperature of the nation/world. What you read in the papers, what you see on TV, has already been filtered. And one thing we've learned is filtration leads to bias. If you're interested in what's happening in any field, you should be on Twitter.
I'm a user. I check in constantly. It eats up time, but no one would say it's a waste, Twitter is anything but mindless activity, it's where information flows, where ideas are discussed, where movers and shakers are influenced.
And I felt that way when Jack was on "hiatus" and I still feel that way now that he's been back.
Once again, the press is frequently bad. We keep hearing the people on Twitter are not representative of the nation. This take is wrong. Because the nation gets its ideas and is influenced by what is said on Twitter. Just like the anti-screen press is now going all mea culpa, they've got it wrong on Twitter. I don't do Facebook, I don't do Instagram, I don't do Snap... Oh, I've got accounts to check in, but I spend little time at these sites. But I spend a lot of time on Twitter, the information is extremely helpful, it makes me think.
P.S. The Twitter app is much easier to use for newbies, it's been upgraded. However, the learning curve is still steeper than it should be. I told Jack there should be a page that explains the basics, that new users, or returning users, can employ to get up to speed.
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You see the way most billionaires do it is they give the money to a foundation they control, getting a huge tax advantage, and then dole out the money as they see fit, as opposed to giving it directly to third party charities.
So, Jack put a billion dollars worth of Square stock into an LLC. And since it's stock, if the value of Square goes up, so does the stock in the LLC. The value of the stock Jack originally gave has already increased to $1.2 billion.
Jack wanted to give $2 billion worth of stock, but that would have affected his "power" at Square.
Now the LLC, run by two people, gives money to a donor-advised, 501(c)(3), fund at Fidelity.
If the LLC were to give money to a non-501(c)(3), there would be taxes on that exchange, but if the money is given to a 501(c)(3), there is not.
Furthermore, the press got it wrong, it wasn't a billion dollars worth of stock just to assist in the fight of the Covid-19 pandemic. If the pandemic continues, maybe the entire billion will be used for that, but if not, Jack's primary interests are health, education and universal basic income, that's where the money will be distributed.
And diving deeper into the details, all of the stock can't be sold at one time, because that would affect the value of all Square stock.
So, some decisions have already been made, where the money is to go. I'll let Jack announce it, but he's speaking to issues in the penumbra of Covid-19, like domestic abuse and prisons and areas that are severely underfunded right now.
Jack assures me there are no personal tax advantages to any "gift."
He also told me it took two and a half weeks to set up the structure.
And Jack also said starting and running a company has huge Wall Street consequences. He said if he started another company he would do it open source, for the good of the people as opposed to being focused primarily on money.
So, to clarify, I was wrong to lump Jack Dorsey's charitable efforts in with those of Mark Zuckerberg and the other billionaires mentioned in the Hasan Minhaj episode.
But let me be clear, Jack did not call me to get me to make a correction, anything but, I'm doing it because I want you to trust ME. I can get it wrong, I can make mistakes.
Jack said unlike other people giving money away, he was focused on transparency.
He has chronicled the entire process on Twitter and you can read it here: https://twitter.com/jack/status/1247616214769086465
Also, he plans to continue being transparent, making public all the donations.
Jack does not want to start a foundation, he just wants to get the money where it is needed.
And the world is broken into two kinds of people, those on Twitter and those who are not. Twitter got a bad name because it was seen as a social network, just like Facebook, Instagram or Snap, but the truth is it's an information network. Sure, there are those fighting for attention on Twitter, those starting petty wars, but they're very easily ignored, Twitter is democratic, if you've got very few followers, you're voice has little reach.
Twitter is where you go for breaking news, where you go to take the temperature of the nation/world. What you read in the papers, what you see on TV, has already been filtered. And one thing we've learned is filtration leads to bias. If you're interested in what's happening in any field, you should be on Twitter.
I'm a user. I check in constantly. It eats up time, but no one would say it's a waste, Twitter is anything but mindless activity, it's where information flows, where ideas are discussed, where movers and shakers are influenced.
And I felt that way when Jack was on "hiatus" and I still feel that way now that he's been back.
Once again, the press is frequently bad. We keep hearing the people on Twitter are not representative of the nation. This take is wrong. Because the nation gets its ideas and is influenced by what is said on Twitter. Just like the anti-screen press is now going all mea culpa, they've got it wrong on Twitter. I don't do Facebook, I don't do Instagram, I don't do Snap... Oh, I've got accounts to check in, but I spend little time at these sites. But I spend a lot of time on Twitter, the information is extremely helpful, it makes me think.
P.S. The Twitter app is much easier to use for newbies, it's been upgraded. However, the learning curve is still steeper than it should be. I told Jack there should be a page that explains the basics, that new users, or returning users, can employ to get up to speed.
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Ken West-This Week's Podcast
Ken West is a fascinating guy. Most concert promoters are business people, but Ken is an artist. Ken co-created the legendary Australian festival Big Day Out, but first he went to art school. Listen to Ken tell stories about Nick Cave and Christo and his other influences. He's a raconteur as well as an entrepreneur. This podcast was recorded live at Australian Music Week.
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-bob-lefsetz-podcast-30806836/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ken-west/id1316200737?i=1000470972076
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1sbqgvhquy6D1oOE2NETB6
https://www.stitcher.com/s?eid=68699946
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https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-bob-lefsetz-podcast-30806836/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ken-west/id1316200737?i=1000470972076
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1sbqgvhquy6D1oOE2NETB6
https://www.stitcher.com/s?eid=68699946
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Wednesday 8 April 2020
Unorthodox
https://bit.ly/2UV2L9G
I usually don't work on Pesach, but everything's a little off-kilter these days.
Actually, we had a seder on Zoom. I must admit I took control, otherwise it seemed like we'd never get started, what with everybody's technical issues. There are those who Zoom every day, and those who've never Zoomed. And telling newbies to move their mouse or finger to the upper right-hand corner to change to Gallery View...that seems to be the hardest part of using the software, and getting people to turn on audio and video to begin with. And despite all the hoopla, Zoom is a flawed service, not because of people bombing in, not because of its lax security, but because there's a delay and you can't have a conversation and people talk over each other. I'd say someone could leapfrog Zoom, but we are living in a different era. Used to be there was new software on a regular basis, evolution, with one company superseding another. But the game of internet musical chairs ended, and you're happy if you can play at all, and if you're not promising instant returns, no one's interested.
Which brings me back to Jack Dorsey and his "donation" to coronavirus.
Actually, the headline is not accurate. Just like that insane story in the L.A. "Times" about Quibi having more downloads than Netflix and Disney+. That was YESTERDAY! And Quibi was new and the other platforms old, in the app stores forever. Speaks to the LAT's credibility. Which reminds me of the "Hollywood Reporter" story, where the editorial director resigned because the owners wanted preferential treatment for themselves and other industry players. You could never believe everything you read, but now it's worse than ever, with Trump having people doubting the truth. It seems like our entire country is in a moral quandary, we're all out for ourselves, we're all out for money, and the values of the nation if not quite reprehensible are certainly questionable. Interestingly, it's those on the lower end of the economic spectrum who give proportionately more to charity, who support others. And speaking of Quibi, the question has shifted completely, it's not whether people will pay for it, but whether the programming is any good. The reviews have been mediocre in a world where we only have time for great, and one criticism is that there's no innovation, it's just like cut up TV, but what did you expect from Jeffrey Katzenberg? This is what's wrong with Hollywood, superseded in wealth and influence by the techies, they all want to be techies, when their skills lie elsewhere. And you've got to blow up the system to create something new and desirable, so people are more interested in the free TikTok than they are in Quibi. Also, today's world is all about creating yourself as opposed to watching passively.
Anyway, Jack Dorsey put some Square stock in an LLC, which he controls. Watch the Hasan Minhaj episode on Zuckerberg doing the same thing to see the flaws. ("Why Billionaires Won't Save Us": https://bit.ly/2Vf1Xv5)
So, the funny thing is I'm busier than ever. With no interruptions, no downtime driving in my car, never mind appointments.
But I do try to make time for Netflix series and books.
And last night we watched "Unorthodox."
There was a review in the "New York Times" a week or two ago, it was intriguing, but I wasn't sure if Felice would be interested, but after finishing the last season of "Money Heist," I pulled it up.
Wow!
I thought it was a documentary. It's not. I knew it was based on a book, but a re-creation wasn't that appealing until I saw Shira Haas.
Shira Haas plays Esty, who leaves her Hasidic life.
These communities are getting more press, more than just Jews are aware of them now. They move into towns and take control and the old residents are pissed about it. I just read a book about it. And there are issues of education and health and finances and...
Jews know all about this. Does everybody else?
Also, many Jews say that these Hasidim are giving Judaism a bad name. But that's not how the Hasidim see it, they believe they're replacing the six million lost, actually Esty references this in the show.
I know someone whose son joined one of these communities, which many might call a cult. It was an arranged marriage, the girl was very young, twenty. And she was uneducated. That's another feature of these communities, the men study the Talmud and the women have babies and run the house. Many babies, many many babies.
So, Esty leaves the Hasidim behind.
Simple concept, but Shira Haas shows the fear and the amazement on her face. She doesn't know how to use a computer. Most men can't have smartphones.
Now the truth is cults are appealing. You're not alone, there's always someone to look after you, care about you. However, many are run by a charismatic leader who is devious. Can we call religious leaders devious? I'll leave that up to you.
So, in this series you're exposed to the community, and you learn about the struggle. To be a member and not be a member.
Now when you finish the four episodes, be sure to hang in there for the documentary, about the "making of." The actors, the shooting in Berlin, there are so many issues concerning life today, appealing even if you are not Jewish.
Now after watching the first episode two nights ago, I wanted to run to my computer and tell you about it. But then I had qualms, I was afraid the rest might not be quite as good.
I should have written two nights ago.
I was shocked. It's nearly impossible to get your mind off the coronavirus and its penumbra. Even when you watch TV it's still there in the back of your mind. But when you watch "Unorthodox," you're immediately thrust into a different world, where much of what concerns you does not matter. You are immediately drawn in, like a great movie.
And the truth is "Unorthodox" is a movie, just twice as long. Watch the cinematographer in the "making of," and the set designer and the costumer. They're quality people taking their jobs very seriously. And since the show is on TV many people will see it, as opposed to being a film playing in festivals and maybe getting theatrical distribution that usually fails, especially now, when the theatres are closed.
If you're looking for escapism, "Unorthodox" is the way to go. And it'll have you questioning your own values, and isn't that what art is all about?
P.S. Right now on Rotten Tomatoes "Unorthodox" has a 92 from the critics and a 91 from the audience.
I usually don't work on Pesach, but everything's a little off-kilter these days.
Actually, we had a seder on Zoom. I must admit I took control, otherwise it seemed like we'd never get started, what with everybody's technical issues. There are those who Zoom every day, and those who've never Zoomed. And telling newbies to move their mouse or finger to the upper right-hand corner to change to Gallery View...that seems to be the hardest part of using the software, and getting people to turn on audio and video to begin with. And despite all the hoopla, Zoom is a flawed service, not because of people bombing in, not because of its lax security, but because there's a delay and you can't have a conversation and people talk over each other. I'd say someone could leapfrog Zoom, but we are living in a different era. Used to be there was new software on a regular basis, evolution, with one company superseding another. But the game of internet musical chairs ended, and you're happy if you can play at all, and if you're not promising instant returns, no one's interested.
Which brings me back to Jack Dorsey and his "donation" to coronavirus.
Actually, the headline is not accurate. Just like that insane story in the L.A. "Times" about Quibi having more downloads than Netflix and Disney+. That was YESTERDAY! And Quibi was new and the other platforms old, in the app stores forever. Speaks to the LAT's credibility. Which reminds me of the "Hollywood Reporter" story, where the editorial director resigned because the owners wanted preferential treatment for themselves and other industry players. You could never believe everything you read, but now it's worse than ever, with Trump having people doubting the truth. It seems like our entire country is in a moral quandary, we're all out for ourselves, we're all out for money, and the values of the nation if not quite reprehensible are certainly questionable. Interestingly, it's those on the lower end of the economic spectrum who give proportionately more to charity, who support others. And speaking of Quibi, the question has shifted completely, it's not whether people will pay for it, but whether the programming is any good. The reviews have been mediocre in a world where we only have time for great, and one criticism is that there's no innovation, it's just like cut up TV, but what did you expect from Jeffrey Katzenberg? This is what's wrong with Hollywood, superseded in wealth and influence by the techies, they all want to be techies, when their skills lie elsewhere. And you've got to blow up the system to create something new and desirable, so people are more interested in the free TikTok than they are in Quibi. Also, today's world is all about creating yourself as opposed to watching passively.
Anyway, Jack Dorsey put some Square stock in an LLC, which he controls. Watch the Hasan Minhaj episode on Zuckerberg doing the same thing to see the flaws. ("Why Billionaires Won't Save Us": https://bit.ly/2Vf1Xv5)
So, the funny thing is I'm busier than ever. With no interruptions, no downtime driving in my car, never mind appointments.
But I do try to make time for Netflix series and books.
And last night we watched "Unorthodox."
There was a review in the "New York Times" a week or two ago, it was intriguing, but I wasn't sure if Felice would be interested, but after finishing the last season of "Money Heist," I pulled it up.
Wow!
I thought it was a documentary. It's not. I knew it was based on a book, but a re-creation wasn't that appealing until I saw Shira Haas.
Shira Haas plays Esty, who leaves her Hasidic life.
These communities are getting more press, more than just Jews are aware of them now. They move into towns and take control and the old residents are pissed about it. I just read a book about it. And there are issues of education and health and finances and...
Jews know all about this. Does everybody else?
Also, many Jews say that these Hasidim are giving Judaism a bad name. But that's not how the Hasidim see it, they believe they're replacing the six million lost, actually Esty references this in the show.
I know someone whose son joined one of these communities, which many might call a cult. It was an arranged marriage, the girl was very young, twenty. And she was uneducated. That's another feature of these communities, the men study the Talmud and the women have babies and run the house. Many babies, many many babies.
So, Esty leaves the Hasidim behind.
Simple concept, but Shira Haas shows the fear and the amazement on her face. She doesn't know how to use a computer. Most men can't have smartphones.
Now the truth is cults are appealing. You're not alone, there's always someone to look after you, care about you. However, many are run by a charismatic leader who is devious. Can we call religious leaders devious? I'll leave that up to you.
So, in this series you're exposed to the community, and you learn about the struggle. To be a member and not be a member.
Now when you finish the four episodes, be sure to hang in there for the documentary, about the "making of." The actors, the shooting in Berlin, there are so many issues concerning life today, appealing even if you are not Jewish.
Now after watching the first episode two nights ago, I wanted to run to my computer and tell you about it. But then I had qualms, I was afraid the rest might not be quite as good.
I should have written two nights ago.
I was shocked. It's nearly impossible to get your mind off the coronavirus and its penumbra. Even when you watch TV it's still there in the back of your mind. But when you watch "Unorthodox," you're immediately thrust into a different world, where much of what concerns you does not matter. You are immediately drawn in, like a great movie.
And the truth is "Unorthodox" is a movie, just twice as long. Watch the cinematographer in the "making of," and the set designer and the costumer. They're quality people taking their jobs very seriously. And since the show is on TV many people will see it, as opposed to being a film playing in festivals and maybe getting theatrical distribution that usually fails, especially now, when the theatres are closed.
If you're looking for escapism, "Unorthodox" is the way to go. And it'll have you questioning your own values, and isn't that what art is all about?
P.S. Right now on Rotten Tomatoes "Unorthodox" has a 92 from the critics and a 91 from the audience.
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Tributes
Re: John Prine
I fortunately have PR represented and worked with a bevy of musical artists but no one made me think and see things differently than John Prine. I was brought in to work John's Grammy-winning "Missing Years" album and at first, I thought it would be a good campaign but it turned out to be so much more.
John would come into New York - he might be playing The Beacon - and we would go to set interviews. I learned a lot from John. I learned life lessons. For example, we passed a down-and-out guy on the street asking for a dollar. Being streetwise New York area guy, I warned John, the guy is probably a hustler. John said, "George, what the F--- is a dollar nowadays? 50 cents?" I reached in my pocket and gave the guy a dollar. That lesson changed me for the better.
There are other things John would comment about like how he could not sign with another record company. He did not like being owned or how labels recouped everything. The artist was on the hook for everything.It was not for him and therefore, he started Oh Boy Records based in Nashville.
But here is a little known fact about John Prine. He was performing at The Beacon and I went to look for him backstage. He wasn't in his dressing room and I found him in the back hallways pacing and smoking a cigarette. I asked John if he was OK and he confided in me he gets stage fright every time he performs live. I was taken back. Here is a consummate performer - songwriter - a guy with worldly knowledge - great humor - poise and he has stage fright still. He told me he'd be OK but not until he stepped up to the mike on the Beacon stage. The kind of honesty John passed on (in song and in person) speaks of an artist I realize was a gift not only in my life, but all our lives.
George Dassinger
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
Losing John has hit all of us so terribly hard.
We all loved the songs very much.
But if you had the luck to know John, you loved him even more.
John and Stevie taught me how much songs can mean.
Here's a link with lyrics to one of the most powerful songs John ever wrote.
And on this day, at this time, one of his saddest.
We recorded this at Chicago Recording in 1978.
John on Elec. Gtr, and Stevie Goodman, Producer and creator of this perfect arrangement.
"Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)"
My heart's in the ice house…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S3M2UsGjG8&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0RxRIQ6YU0EMbIvxx5aBU8GOMGPXdESOR2gXlncPtRHoVMfXNCO_w8Mr0
Hank Neuberger
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
Hey Bob,
I remember one time in the late nineties I was living in San Diego and John was on tour and was set to play in San Diego that night. The show was sold out and I didn't have tickets. As luck would have it I got a call from John's manager Al Bunetta. I'd gotten to know Al when I'd stop in Nashville to play a show or do a co-write with someone. Al was an old school manager who knew everyone. He'd always come to my shows and give me advice. He even had me over to his house for lunch. He knew I was a huge Prine fan (who wasn't?) and he always told me cool stories about John. So anyways, he called me up and asked me if I was in town. I said yes. Then he said "Listen, John's playing a show tonight and he needs to go to The Disney Store to get his kids some presents. Can you pick him up at his hotel and drive him to a place called Horton Plaza and take him to The Disney Store?"
"Can I? Yes! For sure. No problem." I was trying not to act too excited but I couldn't help myself. I was gobsmacked. All of a sudden I sounded like Rainman and I said "Of course I'm an excellent driver. "
Al laughed. He knew I loved John and he knew I'd be willing and able.
So I cleaned out my VW van and brought my waxy surfboards inside my Windansea apartment. There was sand and swim trunks and broken guitar strings and newspapers, CDs and books. I cleaned it as best as I could but I only had an hour to get it ready. I drove down to The US Grant Hotel and left my flashers on and ran inside and there he was in the lobby. John freaking Prine. We shook hands and chatted for a bit and then hopped on my van and we went to the mall. I tried not to gush too much and mostly remained silent and let him do the talking. I just listened. I didn't even tell him I was a singer songwriter. Never mentioned it! When we got to The Disney Store we looked at toys together. And clothes. And more toys. And the John said "I need to call my wife Fiona. I can't remember if I've already gotten em this toy. They always remember and I'll look like a fool if I repeat the same gift." He gave me that goofy sideways smile.
He eventually settled on the right gifts and we hopped back in my van and I dropped him off at his hotel. He asked me if was going to the show and I said I didn't have tickets. He wrote down my name and said "Now you do. They'll be two tickets for you at will call."
The seats were front row. I cried that night. I'm crying this morning. We're all crying.
Love ya,
Steve Poltz
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
From: Andrew Loog Oldham
bob;
2000ish ...
I had seen my mother for what I knew would be the last time.
in a hospital in Oxford, dementia etc. the town that Inspector Morse used to drive around in that Jag.
I raced back to London, saw no speed limit signs , so I raced, got 9 speeding tickets 5 months later in Bogota.
walked down Park Lane coz I needed to feel good, and wanted to walk the hood that it had made no difference to my mother I had ended up in.
she always wanted to know when I would get a regular job...
walked into the Mini showroom, mulled around , looking for something for the Mini Cooper wife Esther had back in Bogota.
an American started chatting with me; I didn't mind.
I hadn't said a word since Oxford.
eventually when he knew from where I'd come he said,
" what you need is some music ; I have an act playing on a bill in Hammersmith tonight "
it went against all my DNA to do what I was told, but I did...
The American who chatted me up was Al Bunetta , and the act was John Prine ....
Al was right, and I'm still thanking him for that night...
best, o
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
There is not a soul on this earth who knew John Prine who didn't pray/vibe/wish for his recovery, and that's why it is easy to understand why we can feel so powerless.
Robert Ellis Orrall
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
John and I have been friends for over 40 years, when Al Bunetta brought both John and Steve Goodman to our town for a concert at Dooley's in Tempe. We all became best friends after that, and never left each other's minds.
To recount the shows, the nights, the drives, the dinners, the booze, etc., is something for another time. I do know I did more shows with John over the years than any one act, better than 200 at last count. Back in the day, many were with Bonnie, Arlo too. I will write longer about him later, when my eyes and head clear, which I just can't do right now out of pure grief that he deserves from me. He knows how sad we all are, he loved people and he loved that people loved him. He had a great life, he did good. Then this. FUCK.
The reason I did so many shows was the hang was the best with John. We worked and played together very well. Al was a super manager for the guys, and when he left us 5 years John and Fiona carried on with the great path they were on together, which made me so happy. He continued and thrived after the world's longest set up for a great career. People finally really came around and finally GOT John!
The funny stuff that would come out around the shows, as well as in the shows, was always magic. He and Fiona and his brother Billy are family, along with the traveling crew with him, especially Mitch and Chris Drosin,
They broke the mold, there will never be another Handsome Johnny. I will always love John Prine. After all he gave to the world, he deserved a better exit. He deserved to be with his wife. He didn't deserve to die alone. How did this happen? How do we live in a place where we were so unprepared for this, even when they knew it was coming? No one wants to see this happen, but we need strong, intelligent people looking after us. We just can't wish this thing away, as much as I have tried over the last few weeks, especially knowing John and Fiona got it. And now my friend is gone, and I feel helpless.
Danny Zelisko
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
I did not know him well, not as well as I would wish. We worked together on a few occasions, ran into each other at a couple of gatherings. I knew him mainly, as did most of us, through his work, his songs.
He had me from "Angel From Montgomery." Damn! That song was so strong, so true it took your breath away. This in spite of the fact that there's a guy singing, "I am an old woman, named after my mother…." It took about a tenth of a second to get over the, "Wait! He's not an old woman …" bit and get swept away by the power of the story, get drawn into the picture he was painting. (Also, there was the part that it never seemed to even occur to him that he was not, in fact, an old woman, he understood and occupied that character so fully and empathetically.)
And then there were all the other shining gems that made us love him, the sideways, sometimes upside-down takes on life that had us smiling and singing along. Ways of looking at things that were new to the world but were expressed so forcefuly and engagingly that you could not turn away — there was no choice in the matter, you had to love him. No movie-star looks, no soaring tenor or dazzling guitar licks. He didn't need them. He saw truths that had never before occurred to us, and offered them up in a brand-new, loving way that could not be denied.
Goodbye, John Prine. I am sadder than I have been in a long, long time.
Tom Rush
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
A sad day and I remember when I worked radio in the 80s at KUOR Radio in Redlands, California (now gone). I did a folk show and Jazz show during the day and then a metal show in the evening. John Prine's then manager use to listen to the folk music show which i did, among other shows. His manager would right me and tell me he appreciated my support of John's music. But one day, I had finished a show and I got a call and it was John Prine who was at that time touring in California and was resting in Redlands had heard me play two songs from Aimless Love album from 1984 on KUOR and he thank me and we chatted a bit and he was truly a sweet person. A fun memory, as that summer I landed in Sweden and my new life began. Thank you John Prine for the great music and those sweet and sometimes funny songs. So today I am genuinely sad and ask that all of you out there to be careful and be safe. I really don't want to lose more friends and family or more heroes to this horrible virus. RIP John and fly up and join that heavenly jam!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6piSAsarMMohlv2pwdXTcy?si=DTPfgkCGTRqUBxanLm_Kdg
And this duet song about writing a song with John Prine and Chip Taylor (who wrote Wild Thing and Angel In the Morning) is a great story song - two old friends trying to write a song. https://open.spotify.com/track/4AsaU0dSwo05WUXwUpqMxC?si=GnjrHdyNR1-n2DhueM7hUw
Just read Chris Stein's post to you and heard also that Hal Wilner has passed. He was a visionary. A sad day for sure
John Jackson Cloud
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
I was a student at Miami University (Oxford, OH) when I bought John Prine's first album. I wasn't sure how Randy, my hard rocking roommate, would react to John's music. But "Illegal Smile" followed by "Spanish Pipedream" (She was a level headed dancer on the road to alcohol, and I was just a soldier, on my way to Montreal), and Sam Stone, showed that John was unique. A bluegrass protest singer/songwriter in the early 1970s.
John visited Wisconsin many times. He has a big following here, with a song line that always got the crowd roaring (Give my stomach to Milwaukee should they run out of beer). In 2006, while touring to promote the Fair and Square CD, we saw John and I was hoping to hear a couple of his "old" songs. He didn't disappoint. He told us he was going to play a song that he had quit singing, but he was singing again because of current events. "Your Flag Decal Won't Get you into Heaven anymore". Then for the encore John played the song I wanted to hear the most. "When I was a child my family would travel, down to Western Kentucky where my parents were born." My Dad was born in Western Kentucky, and since we'd lost him less than 2 years before, I will always remember this night.
Last summer we saw John play twice, once in Appleton and then in Madison. My old roommate Randy was 1 of 6 old fans in our group watching John play. He was touring for "Tree of Forgiveness" which ends with "When I get to heaven". "I'm gonna get a cocktail, vodka and ginger ale. Yeah, I'm gonna to smoke a cigarette that's 9 miles long."
But it's "Paradise" where he wrote his best farewell:
When I die let my ashes float down the Green River
Let my soul roll on up to the Rochester dam
I'll be halfway to Heaven with Paradise waitin'
Just five miles away from wherever I am.
Our condolences to the whole Prine family. Thank you John for all the years of great music you gave us.
" I wanna see all my mama's sisters, 'cause that's where all the love starts
I miss 'em all like crazy, bless their little hearts."
Ken Coffey
Waukesha, WI
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
Damn now John Prine.
My dad passed yesterday at 90 from Coronavirus.
Kriss Wilson
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine & Hal Willner
"Halley's Waitress" was the first song I played when I got the news about Adam Schlesinger- in all the writing that I've seen about his legacy I'm amazed that nobody's mentioned it. I listen to it and think, "Not everybody can do something like this"... And the track, and Chris Collingwood's vocal- it's such a beauty..
Have you heard it?
https://youtu.be/9rKxLrHrS3A
And Hal Willner, he was a giant in his own way for sure. From behind the scenes, as a record producer, TV producer, tastemaker, and provocateur, he influenced the direction of music in a positive way. And he was a great guy.. I told him once that I used to look forward to his TV show, "Night Music", the way I looked forward to "Shindig" when I was 12 yrs. old.
Marshall Crenshaw
_____________________________________
Re: Hal Willner
Hal is the first fatality from the virus who I knew personally. A true renaissance man.
Ted Myers
_____________________________________
Re: Hal Willner
Hal and I met on Record Store Day awhile back. The catalyst of our friendship was Tiny Tim. I think this tickled him and we became friends. For a year or more we would get together about once a month to talk strategy: how could we bring magic to the music industry. For Hal, he was working on a new television series that would highlight fantastic artists, no criteria other than they were really good. He was going to intersperse the music segments with puppet shows, like they used to do in the fifties and sixties. He would show me these crazy short films he was making with puppets and music on his ipad. I would show him the puppet shows my five year old twins were doing. We were like two guys jamming in the garage. I wanted to do the album versions of his shows and Hal agreed to curate it. It's not going to happen now.
The last time we were in his studio, where the puppets and albums hang around and underneath his mixing board, I asked him about a photo of Lenny Bruce he had hanging above his Keith Richards puppet. He said, "That's Lenny and his daughter." In the photo they are embracing each other with happy smiles. Hal continued, "Richard Hell gave that to me because he owed me some money or something. I've always loved the photo." I said, "I love it too. They look so happy." He said, "Well, his daughter became an addict too so it didn't end well." We both sort of sat there and didn't say anything for awhile and I thought about how I hate losing people. Especially the really cool ones. The odd ones who see things differently.
The other thing that Hal did a lot over the past six months or so was play me tracks off the upcoming T Rex album he finished. It's pretty amazing. The Nick Cave track alone is stunning but it's much more than even that and of course Hal made sure that the album sequencing gave it a real flow. It does. We were working on a plan for Hal to fly to different record stores and play his T Rex album for people in the stores. Hal really believed in the magic of music bringing people together.
I really wish we didn't have to lose him. Godspeed Hal, you were one of the really cool ones.
Michael Kurtz
_____________________________________
Re: Hal Willner
I went to NYU with Hal Wilner in the wild and crazy Warhol 70's. Hal always seemed older, wiser and so much cooler than the rest of us even though he was two years younger. He was one of those special people who never had to change with the times because he was already so much further ahead... and we haven't even caught up with him yet. Whenever we ran into each other through life he would always make me feel like I was a member of his own very exclusive club of hip New York music cats. His warmth, astute intellect and consummate taste made him an irreplaceable treasure to whoever was lucky or worthy enough to be his friend and colleague. The world is now officially fucked and stranded without Hal Winer.
Desmond Child
I fortunately have PR represented and worked with a bevy of musical artists but no one made me think and see things differently than John Prine. I was brought in to work John's Grammy-winning "Missing Years" album and at first, I thought it would be a good campaign but it turned out to be so much more.
John would come into New York - he might be playing The Beacon - and we would go to set interviews. I learned a lot from John. I learned life lessons. For example, we passed a down-and-out guy on the street asking for a dollar. Being streetwise New York area guy, I warned John, the guy is probably a hustler. John said, "George, what the F--- is a dollar nowadays? 50 cents?" I reached in my pocket and gave the guy a dollar. That lesson changed me for the better.
There are other things John would comment about like how he could not sign with another record company. He did not like being owned or how labels recouped everything. The artist was on the hook for everything.It was not for him and therefore, he started Oh Boy Records based in Nashville.
But here is a little known fact about John Prine. He was performing at The Beacon and I went to look for him backstage. He wasn't in his dressing room and I found him in the back hallways pacing and smoking a cigarette. I asked John if he was OK and he confided in me he gets stage fright every time he performs live. I was taken back. Here is a consummate performer - songwriter - a guy with worldly knowledge - great humor - poise and he has stage fright still. He told me he'd be OK but not until he stepped up to the mike on the Beacon stage. The kind of honesty John passed on (in song and in person) speaks of an artist I realize was a gift not only in my life, but all our lives.
George Dassinger
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
Losing John has hit all of us so terribly hard.
We all loved the songs very much.
But if you had the luck to know John, you loved him even more.
John and Stevie taught me how much songs can mean.
Here's a link with lyrics to one of the most powerful songs John ever wrote.
And on this day, at this time, one of his saddest.
We recorded this at Chicago Recording in 1978.
John on Elec. Gtr, and Stevie Goodman, Producer and creator of this perfect arrangement.
"Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)"
My heart's in the ice house…"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S3M2UsGjG8&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0RxRIQ6YU0EMbIvxx5aBU8GOMGPXdESOR2gXlncPtRHoVMfXNCO_w8Mr0
Hank Neuberger
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
Hey Bob,
I remember one time in the late nineties I was living in San Diego and John was on tour and was set to play in San Diego that night. The show was sold out and I didn't have tickets. As luck would have it I got a call from John's manager Al Bunetta. I'd gotten to know Al when I'd stop in Nashville to play a show or do a co-write with someone. Al was an old school manager who knew everyone. He'd always come to my shows and give me advice. He even had me over to his house for lunch. He knew I was a huge Prine fan (who wasn't?) and he always told me cool stories about John. So anyways, he called me up and asked me if I was in town. I said yes. Then he said "Listen, John's playing a show tonight and he needs to go to The Disney Store to get his kids some presents. Can you pick him up at his hotel and drive him to a place called Horton Plaza and take him to The Disney Store?"
"Can I? Yes! For sure. No problem." I was trying not to act too excited but I couldn't help myself. I was gobsmacked. All of a sudden I sounded like Rainman and I said "Of course I'm an excellent driver. "
Al laughed. He knew I loved John and he knew I'd be willing and able.
So I cleaned out my VW van and brought my waxy surfboards inside my Windansea apartment. There was sand and swim trunks and broken guitar strings and newspapers, CDs and books. I cleaned it as best as I could but I only had an hour to get it ready. I drove down to The US Grant Hotel and left my flashers on and ran inside and there he was in the lobby. John freaking Prine. We shook hands and chatted for a bit and then hopped on my van and we went to the mall. I tried not to gush too much and mostly remained silent and let him do the talking. I just listened. I didn't even tell him I was a singer songwriter. Never mentioned it! When we got to The Disney Store we looked at toys together. And clothes. And more toys. And the John said "I need to call my wife Fiona. I can't remember if I've already gotten em this toy. They always remember and I'll look like a fool if I repeat the same gift." He gave me that goofy sideways smile.
He eventually settled on the right gifts and we hopped back in my van and I dropped him off at his hotel. He asked me if was going to the show and I said I didn't have tickets. He wrote down my name and said "Now you do. They'll be two tickets for you at will call."
The seats were front row. I cried that night. I'm crying this morning. We're all crying.
Love ya,
Steve Poltz
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
From: Andrew Loog Oldham
bob;
2000ish ...
I had seen my mother for what I knew would be the last time.
in a hospital in Oxford, dementia etc. the town that Inspector Morse used to drive around in that Jag.
I raced back to London, saw no speed limit signs , so I raced, got 9 speeding tickets 5 months later in Bogota.
walked down Park Lane coz I needed to feel good, and wanted to walk the hood that it had made no difference to my mother I had ended up in.
she always wanted to know when I would get a regular job...
walked into the Mini showroom, mulled around , looking for something for the Mini Cooper wife Esther had back in Bogota.
an American started chatting with me; I didn't mind.
I hadn't said a word since Oxford.
eventually when he knew from where I'd come he said,
" what you need is some music ; I have an act playing on a bill in Hammersmith tonight "
it went against all my DNA to do what I was told, but I did...
The American who chatted me up was Al Bunetta , and the act was John Prine ....
Al was right, and I'm still thanking him for that night...
best, o
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
There is not a soul on this earth who knew John Prine who didn't pray/vibe/wish for his recovery, and that's why it is easy to understand why we can feel so powerless.
Robert Ellis Orrall
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
John and I have been friends for over 40 years, when Al Bunetta brought both John and Steve Goodman to our town for a concert at Dooley's in Tempe. We all became best friends after that, and never left each other's minds.
To recount the shows, the nights, the drives, the dinners, the booze, etc., is something for another time. I do know I did more shows with John over the years than any one act, better than 200 at last count. Back in the day, many were with Bonnie, Arlo too. I will write longer about him later, when my eyes and head clear, which I just can't do right now out of pure grief that he deserves from me. He knows how sad we all are, he loved people and he loved that people loved him. He had a great life, he did good. Then this. FUCK.
The reason I did so many shows was the hang was the best with John. We worked and played together very well. Al was a super manager for the guys, and when he left us 5 years John and Fiona carried on with the great path they were on together, which made me so happy. He continued and thrived after the world's longest set up for a great career. People finally really came around and finally GOT John!
The funny stuff that would come out around the shows, as well as in the shows, was always magic. He and Fiona and his brother Billy are family, along with the traveling crew with him, especially Mitch and Chris Drosin,
They broke the mold, there will never be another Handsome Johnny. I will always love John Prine. After all he gave to the world, he deserved a better exit. He deserved to be with his wife. He didn't deserve to die alone. How did this happen? How do we live in a place where we were so unprepared for this, even when they knew it was coming? No one wants to see this happen, but we need strong, intelligent people looking after us. We just can't wish this thing away, as much as I have tried over the last few weeks, especially knowing John and Fiona got it. And now my friend is gone, and I feel helpless.
Danny Zelisko
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
I did not know him well, not as well as I would wish. We worked together on a few occasions, ran into each other at a couple of gatherings. I knew him mainly, as did most of us, through his work, his songs.
He had me from "Angel From Montgomery." Damn! That song was so strong, so true it took your breath away. This in spite of the fact that there's a guy singing, "I am an old woman, named after my mother…." It took about a tenth of a second to get over the, "Wait! He's not an old woman …" bit and get swept away by the power of the story, get drawn into the picture he was painting. (Also, there was the part that it never seemed to even occur to him that he was not, in fact, an old woman, he understood and occupied that character so fully and empathetically.)
And then there were all the other shining gems that made us love him, the sideways, sometimes upside-down takes on life that had us smiling and singing along. Ways of looking at things that were new to the world but were expressed so forcefuly and engagingly that you could not turn away — there was no choice in the matter, you had to love him. No movie-star looks, no soaring tenor or dazzling guitar licks. He didn't need them. He saw truths that had never before occurred to us, and offered them up in a brand-new, loving way that could not be denied.
Goodbye, John Prine. I am sadder than I have been in a long, long time.
Tom Rush
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
A sad day and I remember when I worked radio in the 80s at KUOR Radio in Redlands, California (now gone). I did a folk show and Jazz show during the day and then a metal show in the evening. John Prine's then manager use to listen to the folk music show which i did, among other shows. His manager would right me and tell me he appreciated my support of John's music. But one day, I had finished a show and I got a call and it was John Prine who was at that time touring in California and was resting in Redlands had heard me play two songs from Aimless Love album from 1984 on KUOR and he thank me and we chatted a bit and he was truly a sweet person. A fun memory, as that summer I landed in Sweden and my new life began. Thank you John Prine for the great music and those sweet and sometimes funny songs. So today I am genuinely sad and ask that all of you out there to be careful and be safe. I really don't want to lose more friends and family or more heroes to this horrible virus. RIP John and fly up and join that heavenly jam!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6piSAsarMMohlv2pwdXTcy?si=DTPfgkCGTRqUBxanLm_Kdg
And this duet song about writing a song with John Prine and Chip Taylor (who wrote Wild Thing and Angel In the Morning) is a great story song - two old friends trying to write a song. https://open.spotify.com/track/4AsaU0dSwo05WUXwUpqMxC?si=GnjrHdyNR1-n2DhueM7hUw
Just read Chris Stein's post to you and heard also that Hal Wilner has passed. He was a visionary. A sad day for sure
John Jackson Cloud
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
I was a student at Miami University (Oxford, OH) when I bought John Prine's first album. I wasn't sure how Randy, my hard rocking roommate, would react to John's music. But "Illegal Smile" followed by "Spanish Pipedream" (She was a level headed dancer on the road to alcohol, and I was just a soldier, on my way to Montreal), and Sam Stone, showed that John was unique. A bluegrass protest singer/songwriter in the early 1970s.
John visited Wisconsin many times. He has a big following here, with a song line that always got the crowd roaring (Give my stomach to Milwaukee should they run out of beer). In 2006, while touring to promote the Fair and Square CD, we saw John and I was hoping to hear a couple of his "old" songs. He didn't disappoint. He told us he was going to play a song that he had quit singing, but he was singing again because of current events. "Your Flag Decal Won't Get you into Heaven anymore". Then for the encore John played the song I wanted to hear the most. "When I was a child my family would travel, down to Western Kentucky where my parents were born." My Dad was born in Western Kentucky, and since we'd lost him less than 2 years before, I will always remember this night.
Last summer we saw John play twice, once in Appleton and then in Madison. My old roommate Randy was 1 of 6 old fans in our group watching John play. He was touring for "Tree of Forgiveness" which ends with "When I get to heaven". "I'm gonna get a cocktail, vodka and ginger ale. Yeah, I'm gonna to smoke a cigarette that's 9 miles long."
But it's "Paradise" where he wrote his best farewell:
When I die let my ashes float down the Green River
Let my soul roll on up to the Rochester dam
I'll be halfway to Heaven with Paradise waitin'
Just five miles away from wherever I am.
Our condolences to the whole Prine family. Thank you John for all the years of great music you gave us.
" I wanna see all my mama's sisters, 'cause that's where all the love starts
I miss 'em all like crazy, bless their little hearts."
Ken Coffey
Waukesha, WI
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine
Damn now John Prine.
My dad passed yesterday at 90 from Coronavirus.
Kriss Wilson
_____________________________________
Re: John Prine & Hal Willner
"Halley's Waitress" was the first song I played when I got the news about Adam Schlesinger- in all the writing that I've seen about his legacy I'm amazed that nobody's mentioned it. I listen to it and think, "Not everybody can do something like this"... And the track, and Chris Collingwood's vocal- it's such a beauty..
Have you heard it?
https://youtu.be/9rKxLrHrS3A
And Hal Willner, he was a giant in his own way for sure. From behind the scenes, as a record producer, TV producer, tastemaker, and provocateur, he influenced the direction of music in a positive way. And he was a great guy.. I told him once that I used to look forward to his TV show, "Night Music", the way I looked forward to "Shindig" when I was 12 yrs. old.
Marshall Crenshaw
_____________________________________
Re: Hal Willner
Hal is the first fatality from the virus who I knew personally. A true renaissance man.
Ted Myers
_____________________________________
Re: Hal Willner
Hal and I met on Record Store Day awhile back. The catalyst of our friendship was Tiny Tim. I think this tickled him and we became friends. For a year or more we would get together about once a month to talk strategy: how could we bring magic to the music industry. For Hal, he was working on a new television series that would highlight fantastic artists, no criteria other than they were really good. He was going to intersperse the music segments with puppet shows, like they used to do in the fifties and sixties. He would show me these crazy short films he was making with puppets and music on his ipad. I would show him the puppet shows my five year old twins were doing. We were like two guys jamming in the garage. I wanted to do the album versions of his shows and Hal agreed to curate it. It's not going to happen now.
The last time we were in his studio, where the puppets and albums hang around and underneath his mixing board, I asked him about a photo of Lenny Bruce he had hanging above his Keith Richards puppet. He said, "That's Lenny and his daughter." In the photo they are embracing each other with happy smiles. Hal continued, "Richard Hell gave that to me because he owed me some money or something. I've always loved the photo." I said, "I love it too. They look so happy." He said, "Well, his daughter became an addict too so it didn't end well." We both sort of sat there and didn't say anything for awhile and I thought about how I hate losing people. Especially the really cool ones. The odd ones who see things differently.
The other thing that Hal did a lot over the past six months or so was play me tracks off the upcoming T Rex album he finished. It's pretty amazing. The Nick Cave track alone is stunning but it's much more than even that and of course Hal made sure that the album sequencing gave it a real flow. It does. We were working on a plan for Hal to fly to different record stores and play his T Rex album for people in the stores. Hal really believed in the magic of music bringing people together.
I really wish we didn't have to lose him. Godspeed Hal, you were one of the really cool ones.
Michael Kurtz
_____________________________________
Re: Hal Willner
I went to NYU with Hal Wilner in the wild and crazy Warhol 70's. Hal always seemed older, wiser and so much cooler than the rest of us even though he was two years younger. He was one of those special people who never had to change with the times because he was already so much further ahead... and we haven't even caught up with him yet. Whenever we ran into each other through life he would always make me feel like I was a member of his own very exclusive club of hip New York music cats. His warmth, astute intellect and consummate taste made him an irreplaceable treasure to whoever was lucky or worthy enough to be his friend and colleague. The world is now officially fucked and stranded without Hal Winer.
Desmond Child
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John Prine
"How the hell can a person go to work in the morning
And come home in the evening and have nothing to say"
They couldn't figure out how to make Bonnie Raitt a success. She had a cult audience, and Warner Brothers believed in her, but she never cut that one track that crossed over, that became a pop staple.
So they had her work with Jerry Ragavoy.
Ragavoy had written songs for Janis Joplin, but he was not seen as a rocker and he was past his prime, but when you're floundering your choices are diminished and Warner Brothers probably felt Jerry could bring out the blues mama in Raitt.
But that's not what happened.
"Streetlights" is a curio in Raitt's career. It's soft, it lacks edge, it doesn't evidence the essence of Bonnie Raitt, the raw element that touches your heart. It's closer to Ragavoy's work with Dionne Warwick than it is with the rest of Raitt's catalog.
But I bought it anyway. That's what you did when you were a fan. And I committed it to cassette, and driving cross-country with it in the Blaupunkt, I know it by heart.
Now the truth is, "Streetlights" opens with the definitive take of Joni Mitchell's "That Song About the Midway." It supersedes at that time the unknown original from "Clouds," even though Mitchell had broken through earlier in the year with "Court & Spark," most people did not go that far back with the Canadian songstress.
But "That Song About the Midway" is still not a public standard.
After that came "Rainy Day Man." A cover of James Taylor's classic from his initial Apple album. But Raitt's take was superfluous, it did not add anything to the original.
But then came "Angel From Montgomery."
Despite all the hosannas about FM radio in the late sixties and early seventies, we learned about records from magazines. Most notably "Rolling Stone," but there were others, like "Fusion" and "Crawdaddy" and... If you were a fan, and there were many of us, you hoovered up this information, you lived for music, it was the most important element of your life, and you were always looking for satiation, that next hit.
And supposedly it was going to be John Prine. He was all over the magazines, he was nowhere on the radio.
And without a radio hit, Prine remained a cult item. Actually, he remained a cult item for his entire career. But it's funny, cult can supersede major success if you hang in there and do it right.
The first album contained "Sam Stone," which was what Prine was famous for at that point, if you considered him to be famous at all.
But the track that was most well-known from the debut was Bette Midler's cover of "Hello in There" from her 1972 debut "The Divine Miss M." The hit was "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," but this album sold and sold and people knew it front to back, which means they were also familiar with Buzzy Linhart and Moogy Klingman's song "Friends"...both of them are gone now.
But after the debut, Prine's notoriety, his "fame," the attention he got, seemed to go in the wrong direction, you knew who he was, but most people did not. He had fans who purchased his records, but only fans purchased his records and went to see him live.
Eventually Prine switched labels from Atlantic to Asylum, he worked with his old cohort Steve Goodman, but "Bruised Orange" did not live up to its commercial expectations. It was everywhere in print, I purchased it, but after its initial launch, that's the last you heard of it.
Eventually, after three LPs with the definitive singer-songwriter label, Prine took off on his own, with his Oh Boy Records, partnering with his manager the also deceased Al Bunetta and their buddy Dan Einstein.
It worked.
It shouldn't have. This was long before the indie label craze of the nineties, this was long before the internet, this was when an indie label was death, because even if you had success you could not get paid.
Meanwhile, as the eighties plowed on, Bonnie Raitt was nowhere. she got dropped from Warner Brothers, she was drinking and overweight, she seemed to be emulating her blues heroes.
Al Bunetta called me up in those years, prior to '89, he subscribed to my newsletter, he was friendly, convivial, outgoing, he had all the qualities of a great salesman, which was why he was successful. And in one long conversation, Al told me that he'd told Bonnie to come to Oh Boy, that's where she belonged, where she could be herself and do what she wanted.
She didn't.
And then David Berman and Joe Smith hopped from the Warner organization to Capitol and signed Bonnie Raitt and paired her with Don Was and the rest is history. Well, not at first, but then "Nick of Time" won all those Grammys and after all those years, Bonnie Raitt was a household name.
Strangely, just like the title track of the album, which was about turning forty, Raitt's audience was not the youngsters of the hit parade, but the boomers, the ones who'd been with her previously and newbies who knew her name but not her music.
And Bonnie Raitt was on a roll. "Luck of the Draw" was even better than "Nick of Time." Raitt was always in the news, always on the road, and suddenly...
Everybody knew "Angel From Montgomery."
It was never a single, never a radio hit. The original recorded version from "Streetlights" was superseded by her live performances, if the song got any airplay, it ended up being the live take from her 1995 double album "Road Tested."
But the great thing about famous songs is they carry their writers along.
The fans of yesteryear followed music like sports, they memorized the credits, they knew all the players and...
They knew John Prine had written "Angel From Montgomery."
And as a result of this, suddenly the winds were at John Prine's back, he was a known quantity, his impact increased, his career rose, and it was all because of this one song.
Of course Prine had songs covered by other famous artists, some of them you could even call hits, but I'm not sure fans of David Allan Coe really cared who'd written his numbers.
And it wasn't only Bonnie Raitt. Over the years other people had covered "Angel From Montgomery," and Raitt's success lifted all boats, suddenly "Angel From Montgomery" was part of the American fabric.
And this is strange. This is akin to Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land," a song everybody knows that was not featured on the hit parade, but contains the essence of America more than the tracks that are.
Now "Angel From Montgomery" reaches you on the very first listen. For me it was those lines above. I come from a family that talks over one another, they have so much to say. To encounter someone who doesn't, especially one who has been beaten down by life... But somewhere, deep down inside, what was keeping her going, was hope.
"If dreams were thunder, and lightning were desire
This old house would have burnt down a long time ago"
That kernel, that inner mounting flame, if it goes out, you die.
But you wake up one day and you discover this is your life, that you're trapped, that your dreams didn't come true, and you're not only frustrated, you're angry.
"Just give me one thing that I can hold on to
To believe in this living is just a hard way to go"
Deaths of despair. The U.S. no longer has the longest life expectancy. The less advantaged get worse health care, are disproportionately hooked on drugs and can't make it on the minimum wage jobs available to them.
But they're ignored.
Oh, you can read a story about them in the newspaper, you hear about the opioid problem, but they get little help, because they don't count, not in the eyes of politicians nor business. Therefore, we can't get a raise of the minimum wage but we do have billionaires.
And if you turn on the radio, everyone's dancing, everyone's happy, everyone's a winner, so if you feel like a loser you stay home and lick your wounds, or bury your feelings to try and compete. Today music is a way to get rich, to expand your personal brand so you can sell perfume and do privates and become part of the glitterati.
As for songs...
Most of today's don't even have any melody, they're based on beats. And pop numbers are cotton candy, they could be written by school kids, they've got no depth, despite the industry hyping them.
And then there's someone like John Prine. Who was always about the songs, who never wavered, who grew by being small, by nailing the experience of the average person, struggling to get by, at least emotionally, if not monetarily.
And isn't it funny how Prine's music survives.
Will it be heard forty or fifty years from now?
I don't know, but the odds are greater than those of the songs on the hit parade.
So, in America, the government is supposed to support life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That's its job, to work for the people, free them and give them opportunity.
But now you're free to be broke. And your hope is limited to the lottery. You can look through the window, but the odds of getting inside are infinitesimal.
But the media tells you the opposite. There are books convincing you that you can make it, you can be a winner. They say the problem is you, not the system.
And then there's someone like John Prine, telling your story. That's what you resonate with, you're looking for understanding, someone who gets you.
So John Prine's death is getting more ink than those of others much more famous who've died of Covid-19. And it's because of the work. Prine never sold out, he was the genuine article.
And he might not have been in the mainstream, but he was always in the landscape. He even survived cancer. He seemed unkillable.
And now he's gone.
It's like a John Prine song. He was just going about his business, living, just like you and me, and he was blind-sided. No one could protect him. He succumbed.
And if John Prine can succumb, we can too.
We don't feel protected. We're not sure our lives matter.
So we turn to music to get us through.
And what resonates now...
Is the work of John Prine.
--
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--
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And come home in the evening and have nothing to say"
They couldn't figure out how to make Bonnie Raitt a success. She had a cult audience, and Warner Brothers believed in her, but she never cut that one track that crossed over, that became a pop staple.
So they had her work with Jerry Ragavoy.
Ragavoy had written songs for Janis Joplin, but he was not seen as a rocker and he was past his prime, but when you're floundering your choices are diminished and Warner Brothers probably felt Jerry could bring out the blues mama in Raitt.
But that's not what happened.
"Streetlights" is a curio in Raitt's career. It's soft, it lacks edge, it doesn't evidence the essence of Bonnie Raitt, the raw element that touches your heart. It's closer to Ragavoy's work with Dionne Warwick than it is with the rest of Raitt's catalog.
But I bought it anyway. That's what you did when you were a fan. And I committed it to cassette, and driving cross-country with it in the Blaupunkt, I know it by heart.
Now the truth is, "Streetlights" opens with the definitive take of Joni Mitchell's "That Song About the Midway." It supersedes at that time the unknown original from "Clouds," even though Mitchell had broken through earlier in the year with "Court & Spark," most people did not go that far back with the Canadian songstress.
But "That Song About the Midway" is still not a public standard.
After that came "Rainy Day Man." A cover of James Taylor's classic from his initial Apple album. But Raitt's take was superfluous, it did not add anything to the original.
But then came "Angel From Montgomery."
Despite all the hosannas about FM radio in the late sixties and early seventies, we learned about records from magazines. Most notably "Rolling Stone," but there were others, like "Fusion" and "Crawdaddy" and... If you were a fan, and there were many of us, you hoovered up this information, you lived for music, it was the most important element of your life, and you were always looking for satiation, that next hit.
And supposedly it was going to be John Prine. He was all over the magazines, he was nowhere on the radio.
And without a radio hit, Prine remained a cult item. Actually, he remained a cult item for his entire career. But it's funny, cult can supersede major success if you hang in there and do it right.
The first album contained "Sam Stone," which was what Prine was famous for at that point, if you considered him to be famous at all.
But the track that was most well-known from the debut was Bette Midler's cover of "Hello in There" from her 1972 debut "The Divine Miss M." The hit was "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," but this album sold and sold and people knew it front to back, which means they were also familiar with Buzzy Linhart and Moogy Klingman's song "Friends"...both of them are gone now.
But after the debut, Prine's notoriety, his "fame," the attention he got, seemed to go in the wrong direction, you knew who he was, but most people did not. He had fans who purchased his records, but only fans purchased his records and went to see him live.
Eventually Prine switched labels from Atlantic to Asylum, he worked with his old cohort Steve Goodman, but "Bruised Orange" did not live up to its commercial expectations. It was everywhere in print, I purchased it, but after its initial launch, that's the last you heard of it.
Eventually, after three LPs with the definitive singer-songwriter label, Prine took off on his own, with his Oh Boy Records, partnering with his manager the also deceased Al Bunetta and their buddy Dan Einstein.
It worked.
It shouldn't have. This was long before the indie label craze of the nineties, this was long before the internet, this was when an indie label was death, because even if you had success you could not get paid.
Meanwhile, as the eighties plowed on, Bonnie Raitt was nowhere. she got dropped from Warner Brothers, she was drinking and overweight, she seemed to be emulating her blues heroes.
Al Bunetta called me up in those years, prior to '89, he subscribed to my newsletter, he was friendly, convivial, outgoing, he had all the qualities of a great salesman, which was why he was successful. And in one long conversation, Al told me that he'd told Bonnie to come to Oh Boy, that's where she belonged, where she could be herself and do what she wanted.
She didn't.
And then David Berman and Joe Smith hopped from the Warner organization to Capitol and signed Bonnie Raitt and paired her with Don Was and the rest is history. Well, not at first, but then "Nick of Time" won all those Grammys and after all those years, Bonnie Raitt was a household name.
Strangely, just like the title track of the album, which was about turning forty, Raitt's audience was not the youngsters of the hit parade, but the boomers, the ones who'd been with her previously and newbies who knew her name but not her music.
And Bonnie Raitt was on a roll. "Luck of the Draw" was even better than "Nick of Time." Raitt was always in the news, always on the road, and suddenly...
Everybody knew "Angel From Montgomery."
It was never a single, never a radio hit. The original recorded version from "Streetlights" was superseded by her live performances, if the song got any airplay, it ended up being the live take from her 1995 double album "Road Tested."
But the great thing about famous songs is they carry their writers along.
The fans of yesteryear followed music like sports, they memorized the credits, they knew all the players and...
They knew John Prine had written "Angel From Montgomery."
And as a result of this, suddenly the winds were at John Prine's back, he was a known quantity, his impact increased, his career rose, and it was all because of this one song.
Of course Prine had songs covered by other famous artists, some of them you could even call hits, but I'm not sure fans of David Allan Coe really cared who'd written his numbers.
And it wasn't only Bonnie Raitt. Over the years other people had covered "Angel From Montgomery," and Raitt's success lifted all boats, suddenly "Angel From Montgomery" was part of the American fabric.
And this is strange. This is akin to Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land," a song everybody knows that was not featured on the hit parade, but contains the essence of America more than the tracks that are.
Now "Angel From Montgomery" reaches you on the very first listen. For me it was those lines above. I come from a family that talks over one another, they have so much to say. To encounter someone who doesn't, especially one who has been beaten down by life... But somewhere, deep down inside, what was keeping her going, was hope.
"If dreams were thunder, and lightning were desire
This old house would have burnt down a long time ago"
That kernel, that inner mounting flame, if it goes out, you die.
But you wake up one day and you discover this is your life, that you're trapped, that your dreams didn't come true, and you're not only frustrated, you're angry.
"Just give me one thing that I can hold on to
To believe in this living is just a hard way to go"
Deaths of despair. The U.S. no longer has the longest life expectancy. The less advantaged get worse health care, are disproportionately hooked on drugs and can't make it on the minimum wage jobs available to them.
But they're ignored.
Oh, you can read a story about them in the newspaper, you hear about the opioid problem, but they get little help, because they don't count, not in the eyes of politicians nor business. Therefore, we can't get a raise of the minimum wage but we do have billionaires.
And if you turn on the radio, everyone's dancing, everyone's happy, everyone's a winner, so if you feel like a loser you stay home and lick your wounds, or bury your feelings to try and compete. Today music is a way to get rich, to expand your personal brand so you can sell perfume and do privates and become part of the glitterati.
As for songs...
Most of today's don't even have any melody, they're based on beats. And pop numbers are cotton candy, they could be written by school kids, they've got no depth, despite the industry hyping them.
And then there's someone like John Prine. Who was always about the songs, who never wavered, who grew by being small, by nailing the experience of the average person, struggling to get by, at least emotionally, if not monetarily.
And isn't it funny how Prine's music survives.
Will it be heard forty or fifty years from now?
I don't know, but the odds are greater than those of the songs on the hit parade.
So, in America, the government is supposed to support life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That's its job, to work for the people, free them and give them opportunity.
But now you're free to be broke. And your hope is limited to the lottery. You can look through the window, but the odds of getting inside are infinitesimal.
But the media tells you the opposite. There are books convincing you that you can make it, you can be a winner. They say the problem is you, not the system.
And then there's someone like John Prine, telling your story. That's what you resonate with, you're looking for understanding, someone who gets you.
So John Prine's death is getting more ink than those of others much more famous who've died of Covid-19. And it's because of the work. Prine never sold out, he was the genuine article.
And he might not have been in the mainstream, but he was always in the landscape. He even survived cancer. He seemed unkillable.
And now he's gone.
It's like a John Prine song. He was just going about his business, living, just like you and me, and he was blind-sided. No one could protect him. He succumbed.
And if John Prine can succumb, we can too.
We don't feel protected. We're not sure our lives matter.
So we turn to music to get us through.
And what resonates now...
Is the work of John Prine.
--
Visit the archive: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/
--
Listen to the podcast:
-iHeart: https://ihr.fm/2Gi5PFj
-Apple: https://apple.co/2ndmpvp
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Tuesday 7 April 2020
Mailbag-Coronavirus & More
You probably saw but Hal Willner died from the virus.
I'd just seen Hal recently. Saw him in January and a couple months before I was on an Ernie Kovacs panel discussion w him. The guy was a huge source of knowledge about old school show biz. It's a big loss all around.
Chris Stein
______________________________________
Re: Neil Lasher
I knew Neil as a rock radio legend and then we worked together at Chrysalis and again at SBK records. I had the pleasure of calling him my friend and my teammate.
As our lives and our careers took separate paths we remained friends, but the thing that always impressed me about Neal was he took his own demons and turned them into a cause, a passion to help others and show other people how to go on living their life drug-free, alcohol free , and one day at a time.
"Bubby" we will miss you.
Greg Thompson.
______________________________________
Re: Neil Lasher
Neil's passing is a sad reminder that we all need to stick together.
Life is too short.
I loved his enthusiasm for life and his generous spirit.
He was a gem!
Buzz Knight
______________________________________
Re: Neil Lasher
When I say that I spoke to Neil practically every day of my life it's no understatement!! He'd call me on the way into the city and yell at every driver that blocked his route. I'd have to hold on during his yelling and screaming while pulling the phone from my ear.
I first met Neil when Daniel hired me at Chrysalis in 1988 during company meetings at the Sonoma Mission Inn.
Neil was sober less than a year and loved to give me shit. Everyone said give him a chance...."It's just Neil being Neil"
Well suffice to say our friendship ran very deep. He joined my synagogue and would break fast with my family for Yom Kippur always with Jill by his side.
I will miss our daily calls and the mensch that defines Neil Lasher.
Love you pal....Rest Easy!
Ken Lane
______________________________________
Re: Neil Lasher
So cool that you folks knew him recently. I knew Neil as "The DASHER" when he was at FM 105 WKLC in St Albans, WV in the early 80s. When he would do traffic reports, or he had a news item to talk about he would say "This is a flash from the Dash.."
He was one of the main reasons I went into radio. I even used is name and likeness as a character in a screenplay I wrote about radio...
Sorely missed in NYC AND in West Virginia
Larry Schockley
______________________________________
Subject: Re: Adam Schlesinger
Hey Bob...sad Dewey here. I (we) are shocked to hear about Adam's passing after we were led to believe he was rallying. He was a very bright talented guy which became immediately evident when we went into the studio with him, and James Iha, at the helm producing our 2007 album Here & Now. It includes Adam's song "Work To Do". We marveled at the song craftsmanship and great sounds on all those albums they did and the performances from Adam, Chris, Jody and Brian. We did another FOW song called "A Road Song" on our covers album "Back Pages". We insisted on doing some live show together too, and that was a trip! Welcome Interstate Managers is great as you state..."Bright Future In Sales", "Hackensack", "Mexican Wine" and on and on. Other faves like "Trains and Boats and Planes" and a great laugh will be had at first listen to "Richie and Ruben"! Anyway, we lost another good one and they were the best and I'm bummed. I'm gonna go listen to "Halley's Waitress". Stay well Bob. best, Dewey Bunnell
______________________________________
Re: Adam Schlesinger
I had the good luck to meet Adam while has owned a studio in New York with James Iha, Stratosphere Sound, on the lower west side. His talent was only matched by his brilliant personality. A tremendous loss for our world.
Joe D'Ambrosio
______________________________________
Re: Adam Schlesinger
Great tribute Bob. If you haven't checked them out before, listen to the band Tinted Windows. It was Adam on bass, James Iha (of Smashing Pumpkins) on guitar, Taylor Hanson on vocals, and Bun E. Carlos (of Cheap Trick) on drums. They released a really fun self-titled album in 2009!
Alex Speer
______________________________________
Re: Adam Schlesinger
Very sad indeed Bob, and you are right. Intelligence in Rock has been gone for some time now. Not sure why, since as long as you can dance to it worked for so long. And the actual Fountains of Wayne is also gone. They've just demolished the old building it had.
More recently it housed an electronics retailer so the plaster statues in the parking lot haven't been seen for years. They used to have a Xmas light show you could take kids to on the second floor and that was always fun even if you didn't celebrate the holiday. His use of such a relatively low-brow place certainly reflected his snarky at times take on things. RIP, this has been a bad year in music and for all of us.
Keep safe and well
Robert Heiblim
______________________________________
Re: Reunification Festival
So you're cool with a $10,000(!!!!) ticket price? How are YOU planning on paying for this, Bob? Great concept, but as usual these days, the little guy gets assed (priced) out.
Doug Deutsch
______________________________________
Re: Reunification Festival
April fucking Fools, right? I was pumped and bought hotel resies and a rental car in the Cabo area just now, was getting ready to buy flights when it occurred to me--crap it's April 1st!! Aaargh, I think the resies are refundable, but best to email a disclaimer now before a lot of people are out big bucks!
Young Hutchison
______________________________________
Re: Reunification Festival
Where's the one we've been waiting for the LONGEST, that has maintained the BIGGEST worldwide audience without EVER setting foot on stageGGG Where's ABBA??
Barry Lyons / Rent A Label
______________________________________
Re: Reunification Festival
I know David Lee Roth's voice hasn't aged well and I don't know how healthy Eddie is (my fingers are crossed that he is doing OK)... but it sure would be great to see the four original members of Van Halen together again... at least for one last "hoorah".
Even if Roth isn't at the top of his vocal game, Michael Anthony was always more than capable of filling in the (vocal) gaps for Van Halen.
I'd sure love to see the king of six strings playing live again.
Scott Hamilton
______________________________________
Re: Reunification Festival
No Talking Heads :)?
David Bither
______________________________________
Re: Reunification Festival
Thanks for the information. Are they not in light of what's going on and the devastation that likely we will be looking back on - make some proceeds go to a social impact cause. It's a big turn off for me if something of this scale at this time (even in 2021) doesn't incorporate proceeds to go to saving our planet for one? Having a million people get on a plane, burning down a stage, helping the cartels get rich ... who are we? Haven't we learned anything or maybe the powers that be are out of touch with the masses.
Fernanda Carapinha
______________________________________
Re: Reunification Festival
What, no Kinks reunion?
Randy Cale
Hard Rock Tulsa
______________________________________
Re: Reunification Festival
If you can wait about 10-15 years, Bill Graham will be promoting these acts in a subscription series at his Pearly Gates Pavilion.
Tom Rooney
______________________________________
Re: Reunification Festival
seeing how old some of these performers will be it may be a good idea to have a cardiologist and urologist on site
Stay safe
Peace, Jason Miles
______________________________________
Re: Reunification Festival
Why doesn't Paul add Dani Harrison to make it complete?
- John Bishoff
______________________________________
Re: Reunification Festival
What about Steve Perry reuniting with Journey? Didn't you see that in your newsfeed?
John Hauser
______________________________________
Re: Reunification Festival
You left out.......
Oasis with Liam and Noel- they agree to play at least five songs but will try for ten.
Taylor and Kayne- one night only.
Creed- playing Human Clay in full, gotta hit that red state rock market
The Smiths- if they agree not to do it, a cover band will be provided.
Black Flag- 20 minute set only with a mystery of who will be on vocals.
-Dan Rosenberg
______________________________________
Re: Reunification Festival
uh... no
Brian Lukow
______________________________________
Re: Reunification Festival
No thank you
Terri Williams
______________________________________
Re: Reunification Festival
If the Grateful Dead aren't playing, I'm not going.
Michael Nadler
______________________________________
Re: Reunification Festival
The Reunification Concert should happen next April 1.
Richard Arfin
______________________________________
From: Peter Noone
Subject: Re: The Caramel Macchiato Bar
We were starving in England too, so once again your Mum was correct!
Food was rationed, and so were cigarettes and petrol. Our Mums told us children were starving in Africa and that we should eat our horrid root vegetables.
Apparently a sugar butty (white bread margarine and sugar was good ) and a conny onny butty (white bread and condensed milk) was why all those British Invaders in the 1960s were so thin and stinky.
______________________________________
From: Remy Zero
Subject: Re: Warner IPO
I left America in 2001, when my band, Remy Zero broke up, and, the music industry seemingly about to expire, and the proceeds from 'Smallville,' the tv series that bought our song as their theme song, I moved to Asia and became a music teacher ;)
I only came back to the USA to be a caregiver for a family member but I looked deeply into the surprisingly still extant Music Industry....
Shockingly, it still exists- in a way- but only for aspiring Super-Stars.... There's No room for strange underground, unusual uncommercial music, as there previously WAS, to swirl around on the coat-tails of the Top 10 ; the ONLY way forward now is to push things like a manic 20-year old would - like we did - but after years of records and touring we`re just too damn tired .....
Far from 'burgeoning', the industry now seems only calculated for a few aspiring rap-stars and hot sexy lasses - whom I ADORE - don`t get me wrong - but Nothing else seems to have a chance... Unless there are some nascent band members running wildly amongst their pals, demanding, 'LISTEN! LISTEN !!!', you better have a REAL job ;)
I really love indie underground experimental stuff, and it seems there's no living to be had for those poor kids, even the best ones.....
We were maybe caught between the continents when the Industry-Earthquake happened, and maybe that's just too bad for us and all ( thank God for bad tv! ), and maybe at this point, I`m a muttering old Coot, but 'burgeoning it Definitely is not - at least from where I am listening....(Nashville )
Remy Zero
______________________________________
Subject: Re: Ignorance Is Bliss
Just saying thanks. I'm so grateful you're saying what you're saying. I tour with a band called The Mavericks. I see multiple parts of 48 states in the US every year. The view from the tour bus window
is very different than the view from a DNC staffer's office. They don't understand. They don't know it. They don't see it. And it's going to pull them under. Hope someone is listening to you...
Best,
Max Abrams
______________________________________
Subject: Re: Silos
I believe a company could make more money, and move way more units, selling glossy prints of album covers than the albums themselves. I don't mean this sarcastically.
Craig Anderton
______________________________________
From: Amy Holdorf
Subject: RE: Reaction
Wow, the crackpots are out in full force today. I have a Ph.D. in Immunology. Per Jeremy Backofen, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was invented by Kary Mullis who won the Nobel Prize in 1993 and died in 2019. The "RT" in RT-PCR is reverse transcriptase, an enzyme discovered by the 1975 Nobel Laureate David Baltimore, the former president of Caltech who retired as president in 2006, but is still very active in research as 82-years-young. He certainly is not making statements doubting the work on COVID-19 testing. Someone has been spending too much time on the conspiracy theory message boards.
Per the "not a conspiracy" dude, there is no evidence that SARS-CoV2 is man-made. Here is a peer-reviewed article about it in one of the top medical journals in the world. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0820-9. Non-technical summary. https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-not-human-made-in-lab.html
Further, thousands of otherwise healthy people are succumbing to this virus.
I hate it when people don't listen to science. As national hero Dr. Anthony Fauci said, "We don't operate on how you feel. We operate on what evidence is, and data is." There is no evidence for what either of these whack-jobs are spouting.
Keep the faith, Bob. Peace!
Amy D. Holdorf, Ph.D.
Worcester, MA
______________________________________
From: Scarlett Rabe
Subject: Re: Reaction
I was raised in and escaped a far right religious cult. Nobody on the left understands what's really going on, how deeply the GOP have trained their cult to despise truth. You're spot on, and I have no idea how we will ever deprogram the indoctrination. Every line of code has to be cleaned and re-written. I left my family, have no contact with them, we aren't family anymore. But, just like how they believed Sandy Hook victims to be "crisis actors", they believe this virus is all a hoax. Science doesn't care if you believe in it. I hope they get Covid. I hope their prayers don't work. I know I'm a horrible person to hope it, but I'm just SO TIRED of the backlash and attacks I get every time I say anything.
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From: Aaron Henderson
Subject: Re: Reaction
So hilarious how all the Repubs are telling you to stop focusing on the negative things of this virus outbreak when all they did during Obama's 8 years was bitch, cry, and moan about how everything sucked and America was going backwards! Now we're supposed to just ignore the negative? Fuck these hypocritical dumbasses, I'd be happy to debate any one of these dumbasses since I have all this time on my hands.
Aaron Henderson
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Subject: Re: Reaction
Bob…Those of us that understand we have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and that our rights supersede Government and are granted from GOD will NEVER let you godless, soulless, authoritarian, unhinged assholes rule us. 600 Million guns ( WAY MORE THAN YOU KNOW) and 2 trillion rounds in our hands will ensure this. We are going to need to separate, leaving you idiots in your own urban city states to rule yourselves, stripped of all voting rights that affect the rest of the country. We MAY let you do that after this collapse….IF YOU ARE LUCKY. However, many of us want you and your entire poisonous ideology destroyed and we have the power to do it, INSTANTLY. Oh, yea and most of the cops and virtually ALL the trigger pulling Military are on our side. You don't even understand what you are ignorant about that you don't know about real grass roots Americans outstide the communist, globalist enclaves on the coasts and in Colorado. You just don't. And, you have ZERO means to stop us should we decide we no longer give you authority over anything. That day is ALMOST at hand. If you're lucky, your old, frail, deranged, ignorant, cowardly, fragile, communist, ass will get to see everything you hold dear crumble before you!!
This has nothing to do with Trump! He's a bafoon and done NOTHING we sent him to do in DC thus becoming part of the very "swamp) he swore to drain. It's the entire Globalist establishment elite and they are almost all on the same team! Certainly NOT on mine. Fuck them all! Their heads will be removed at the end of this 4th turning I'd predict as well. I wish you a long life Bob. Seriously.
Sean Mormelo
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From Stephanie Zill
Re: Reaction
It's interesting to observe that the missives on the right-hand side of the 'aisle' are 100% from men.
Cross the 'aisle' to the second half of your email and you start to see some women's names.
Having ready your emails for many years, I don't believe you vet the responses for gender.
So - why am I not surprised?
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Subject: Thanks
I'm recently retired from my medical career as an anesthesiologist ( Medicine was always a side hustle for me)
Yesterday I found out that two of my former co workers have Coronavirus. One of them may be placed in the ICU.
And of course I want to get back on the front lines.
Your April 1 email was what I needed. I was cracking up.
Jonathan Schneider
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Subject: Re: Internet Ignorance
Hey Bob,
I'm glad to hear your message... Most everyone knows I never liked Trump, When I use to work for SBK Records and go to New York back in the 80's. I never much cared about trump. Yea I would listen to the Howard Stern radio interviews, and thought what in hell is he doing this for? I could think of a 1000 things that made more sense to me. But maybe that because I was use to seeing Charles Koppeklman, and Daniel Glass handing business. Or Bill Gates in a night club at 2am by himself, where I bought him a coke and we talked about him really liking Techo music and me sharing that I was working a group called Tecehnotronic and a song called "Pump up the jam" . And yes he knew it.. I gotta admit I was kind of impressed. This was before he was married of course or I would also see Craig McCaw just doing normal things around Seattle. Like shopping at the Eddy Bauer store or at Starbucks.. Even though he had just sold his phone company to AT&T for 11.5 Billion. Those were business men i looked up to. They were the kind of guys who were making news and doing things with out being dicks. Not full blown ego's like how trump came across. When the apprentice was on TV, I also thought... wow this is so bad it was kind of a train wreck.. Meatloaf, Downtown Julie Brown? who gives a flying about them?? But Some people did I guess. but I have never watched one episode of dancing with the Stars. Trump, cant be taken seriously, look at the damage he has caused by this delay.. I hope this nightmare comes to and end soon. We can't take much more of this mismanagement.
But the reason I'm writing you that I agree the wearing of something over your face should become the message that we share as we can't count on the White House to do the right thing. you got Stephen Curry holding a Q&A with De Fauci, try and get the message to the American people because these daily press briefing with trump are all bullshit. I really think he's only doing them to stay out in front of people that he can't have his little hate rallies. Anyone who has been paying attention can see that he did not have any until weeks of down playing the virus. So Yea.... We should be wearing MASKS! it's way better to have something over your face then noting... Not N95 makes but anything!! So I just wanted to thank you for addressing this. We should never forget that their incompetence and using their Fox and Friends and Rush Limbaugh, & Lou Dobbs to spread very wrong messaging, The lack of attention to this pandemic has been near criminal!
Take care and be safe.
Frank Higginbotham
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From: SILVER HAMMER LTD
Subject: Re: Internet Ignorance
Bob,
No worries, the New York Times - Best Sellers are available on Torrent sites everyday, fiction and non fiction. For free. Good Reads top 20 also. As usual the publishers are too blind and greedy so the authors get screwed. Daniel Ek should start a virtual book store next.
Thanks Yale Bloor
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Subject: Re: Internet Ignorance
Publishers may still be in the dark ages…. My wife has her debut book due out later this year with a major house but found out last week that they have canceled her audio book. They know audio is a money maker for them because they wouldn't give her the contract without the audio rights. Someone higher up the food chain pulled the plug on audio books for a significant number of authors without even telling their editors. When the printed advance reader copies are rumored to be stuck in a quarantined New York office building, killing a digital product seems to be a prime example of thinking under the old school model.
Glenn Osborne
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Subject: Re: Internet Ignorance
Hi Bob,
This is just like the indie radio consultants and small radio stations. Labels are paying independent contractors (indies) who in turn pay mom-and-pop radio stations (aka a payola loophole) to play a song. This keeps the small station's lights on and also costs labels millions of dollars per year just to have a shot at a radio hit. The truth is, these smaller stations are way past their prime. It's as if the movie industry was paying Blockbuster's bill to stay open... When something is outdated or doesn't change with the times, it should be on to the next. Instead, labels foot the bill to get shitty overnight spins (the radio chart is another problem), while the indies gets rich, whether the song is a hit or not. It's a crooked system especially when you look at international markets who not only don't have indies, but also where labels get paid by radio stations to use their product on the air.
Would love for you to do a piece on this backwards system.
Please don't post or use my information. Don't want the indie mob coming after me.
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Subject: Re: Masks
Fuck, Alan Merrill too!
I saw him play with The Left Banke at Le Poisson Rouge in 2015 with George Cameron, Sam Kogon and Ian Lloyd of Stories. It was right after Michael Brown died and it was a memorial concert for him. Great show, Alan was so good I bought a bunch of his solo CD from his website. I am a fan of his mom, jazz singer, Helen Merrill, who live and performs in Japan.
Very sad new,
Jeff Capshew
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Subject: RE: Alan Merrill
Hi Bob:?Re your mention of the death of Alan Merrill in your email newsletter earlier:
Just to let you know, Alan Merrill wrote "I Love Rock n Roll" alone despite the credit reading co-writer (a business partnership courtesy extended to all songs written under the moniker of The Arrows). He told me several times how he wrote it late one night, while living in London, by the light of a candle and whispering into a tape recorder so as not to wake his girlfriend. Mickey Most, head of RAK Records - the label to which Alan's band The Arrows were signed - was goading them to write a hit and Alan thought he'd create a cheeky response to the Rolling Stones' "It's Only Rock 'n Roll," which to his mind cheapened the impact of this musical genre. "ILRnR" was originally earmarked for the B side of The Arrows' next single but Most's wife thought it was a hit and persuaded Mickey to flip the order. The song became a UK chart hit for The Arrows and led to the band getting their own half hour weekly live audience music performance TV show, replacing the Bay City Rollers' programme and which ran for 2 seasons. The Arrows performed "ILRnR" a few times on the broadcast, which is where Joan Jett (in England on tour with The Runaways) hear the song and eventually decided to record her cover version. Today, "I Love Rock n Roll" is one of the most covered rock songs with a website devoted to showcasing dozens of versions in several musical styles (including Weird Al Yankovic's "I Love Rocky Road") by artists from around the world, and remains an international rock anthem instantly recognized by the first two notes. Although perhaps his most famous song, it is by no means the only great song Alan wrote that was successfully recorded by other artists. Over the last several years, Alan continued tecording and teleasing solo albums, and performing quite regularly around NYC doing both solo acoustic sets and shows with his Alan Merrill Extravaganza trio (with Amy Madden on bass and Mark Brodder on drums) and frequent tours back to Japan (where he had been a teen idol as well as co-founder of that country's first glam rock group Vodka Collins) and England. At the time of his death, Alan had just completed recording a new solo album which was slated for release mid-April, and was putting finishing touches on his long awaited autobiography. Alan Merrill was a super talented singer, songwriter and guitarist, but most of all he was a most beloved friend to so many whose lives, hearts and souls he touched. He left an indelible mark on the world and helped make it a better place. He will be sorely missed by all who loved him.?Ida Langsam.
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Subject: Re: Tom Odell
Bob,
I was Tom Odell's professor at the music college he attended in Brighton England about 10 years ago.
Very talented kid but with a chip on his shoulder... for a bunch of reasons, starting with the fact that he was not accepted at England's most prestigious performing arts college, The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts
( LIPA) and had to attend a lesser version in Brighton. I spent many conversations telling him that none of that mattered.. he had the talent... now he needed to find the will. Thankfully I think he did.
Susan L. Dodes
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From: Corinna Crabtree
Hi Bob,
Writing from the UK here - I agree about Tom Odell, but not so much about the state of British pop music! Tom Odell was a fantastic song and one of the few that actually gave me goosebumps when I first heard it! Despite what you say, here in the UK it didn't reach that ubiquitous "classic song" territory that it deserved. I remember frustratingly sitting back watching this song not get the attention it deserved. Back in 2012 (millennials like me) were obsessed with EDM music, which sidelined the singer songwriter world (being one of those as well, it was annoying to see).
Fast forward a few years and the singer songwriter is king again. You mentioned the likes of Lewis Capaldi, for example. There is also a great old school BRIT pop with a slight Bruce Springsteen edge called Sam Fender who has hit the scene and he's doing tremendously well!
Unfortunately, to the outside world it looks like the UK is still pioneering great acts, but take it as a musician who is close to "the scene", there are far too many acts that are all about attention seeking imagery or political statements, but lack musical substance. It's all about electronic productions with no melodies or worse - an ever growing saturated market of British hip hop (not a fan). The art of songwriting seems to fall second to all these Androgynous looking snowflakes that do not seem to have a knack for writing killer melodies or are too afraid to show vulnerability in the quest for looking cool. It is therefore no wonder that we have seen a surge of love for country music in the UK, which is one of the few genres where you can find melody and story telling. I'm a lover of good pop and rock music - if you're prepared to devour the playlists, you discover some great acts. But in the interim, like you say we no longer live in a monoculture. Maybe in the absence of a world war, the result of this pandemic will spark a cultural revolution akin to the 1960s, we can only hope that some good will come of this.
Perhaps you may like this and don't forget to read the description about the song's story in YouTube description section : https://youtu.be/x563WKZCn4U
Take care,
Corinna
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From: Owen Sloane
Subject: Kenny Rogers
I was Kenny's lawyer during his most successful times. I am very saddened by his passing. He was a wonderful stand up guy. Once I mentioned to him that there were other artists in his position who were taking a publishing interest in the songs they recorded even if they had nothing to do with the writing of the song. He said he was aware of that but that he would never do that to any songwriter. If they gave him a hit song they had every right to and deserved to own all of it and reap the rewards. That's the kind of guy Kenny was.
May he rest in peace.
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Subject: Re: News Update-Day 7
Hiya Bob ~
On the abortion sentence alone i could write forever.
Bravo.
I was a director/counselor of a full service women's health center for 20 years, full service of course means abortions amongst a full range of women's healthcare.
We were on the front lines during the Birmingham bombing and 1996 Olympic bombings.
We had protestors every day, not just days we provided abortion care.
Ironically, we served families/women who wanted to be pregnant through our donor insemination program yet the protesters would yell at and shame everyone.
It was difficult, until folks got inside and could access the care they wanted.
I headed up the fetal anomaly program, the worst of times for families diagnosed with a fatal anomaly...having to pass the gauntlet of horrible signs and crazed people shouting at them.
I can tell you (corroborate with you!) the number of moms/dads/grandparents dragging their daughters/granddaughters into the health center even though they "didn't believe in abortion" was staggering, for the whole 20 years.
Some sitting smugly with their bibles on their laps.
Robin Gelberg
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Subject: Re: Today's Rarities-The Silencers
Hi Bob,
So proud to be mentioned in the same letter as 10CC.
Saw them in Glasgow way back, they even did a live fade out of I'm Mandy Fly Me, amazing band.
Blue Desire recorded in Castlesound Studios, Pencaitland just outside of Edinburgh. The Blue Nile gave us their booked studio time so we could record there.
Great times, great song.
Big thanks
Martin Hanlin
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From: Arny Schorr
Subject: RE: Today's Rarities
Thanks for remembering/recognizing Charlie...I was at Janus Records when they came out, we put a push behind them but as you pointed out, we didn't have the cash behind us to break them and shortly after Lines was released, GRT /Janus went into Chapter 7 (long, interesting story).
Fun fact, the girl on the cover was a model known as Flower who is now married to Haim Saban. There's more to the story but we got a lot of coverage on the release be cause of her.
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From: Steve Lukather
From: lukedaddy
Subject: Re: Rain Songs-SiriusXM This Week
"The most well-known take on "State of Independence" is on Donna Summer's 1982 LP, her first for Geffen, produced by Quincy Jones. An album produced by Giorgio Moroder was shelved, and this was made in its place, and it wasn't really successful, even though all these years later it resonates, even though Donna Summer is dead, my how time flies. The "hit" on the album is "Love Is In Control (Finger on the Trigger)," which wears its age pretty well, but the killer was always track number three, "The Woman In Me," talk about smoky and sexy..."
I played on the whole album and co write song as well. It was great fun. Worked on Jon Anderson's record as well. Really fun sessions !
I LOVE ' Yer Album !
Better? Remember it was made in '69. They were ahead of their time!
Anything Walsh and I am IN. I got stoned for the first time ever at 14 years old listening to The Bomber. I cut a version of it on my 2nd solo record on "93.
Luke
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From: Joe Raasch
Subject: Re: Babka!
The delivery came today, right before I arrived home from work.
THAT BABKA IS SO GOOD that my wife and I aren't sharing it with our daughter. I've never had anything like it and my dad was a baker by profession!
Thanks again for the pro tip!
Joe
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From: John Green
Subject: Re: Tonight's Debate
Man your fucking nuts your another spam man. Watch out bro they'll burn your house down too. It's coming and Bernies blood will be in the streets you just wait. He'll get his 45 right between the eyes. Just watch bob dog
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From: Allen Hare
Subject: Re: American Factory
I am a thirty-plus year trucker, and a proud member of Local 745 of the International Brotherhood Of Teamsters, here in Dallas, TX.
It hurts to see some of my Teamster brothers not truly appreciate what we have. They take it for granted, not realizing how easily it could all be taken away. I know many of them are right wingers, and voted for Trump.
We must continue to educate, organize, and vote.
Thanks for helping to spread the word.
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Subject: Re: The Debate
Spot on, Bob.
I'm a 50-something white woman, who after years in the music and entertainment business made a right turn and now I am a daily money manager handling the lives and affairs of seniors. I'm the only person in my world who is a big Bernie Sanders supporter, but for me, Bernie's healthcare plan is the only plan that makes sense to me. Here's why.
I have become an expert in the healthcare world. Most of my clients are affluent and they can all well afford the best healthcare on the world. The truth is for the most part, Medicare works really well for them. Sure they pay out of pocket from time to time for doctors that do not accept Medicare, but they are not paying a fortune in premiums.
For my clients who are not of retirement age, I deal with insurance companies all day long...in fact I fight with insurance companies nearly every single day, it is maddening...some days the issue is the utter incompetence of the claims people at the insurance carriers, but there are moments when I really think the denials of claims are intentionally designed by management, hoping that you will grow weary and give up fighting for your reimbursements. I am sure many people do because the time suck and frustration is enough to make you sick. This is why my clients pay me to handle it. I never give up, but what it takes to get what is rightfully yours from these insurance companies is such a colossal waste of time and effort. There is no good one...they are all different shades of horrible.
Bernie Sanders is the only candidate that speaks with any intelligence on the healthcare issue...No one really and truly loves their healthcare plan. Oh yeah a few will say they do, but they do not understand just how much they are overpaying for what they think is a good plan but in reality is crap.
Here's an example for New York
$1,100 premium from a large carrier for a plan with a $1,500 in network deductible and a $6,000 out of network deductible that is really $6,000 of "allowable amounts" so figure more like $9,500 deductible and then after you meet said deductible the coverage of 80% of again an allowable amount, plus a copay, you are looking at a therapist charge of $500 and a reimbursement of roughly $250. When you do the math you have to shell out over $25,000/year + just to start getting back what amounts to 60% of your out of network charges.
If we do any less than Medicare For All, we are sunk. Why? Because we have to take the insurance companies out of the equation completely in order to transform our healthcare system...they must be killed off. They are no good and their corporate agenda is to pay as little as possible!
Also, we need everyone to pay into a Medicare For All system to fund it...there is no half way here.
I'll actively support anyone who gets the eventual nomination, but Bernie is my guy. Thank you for writing what you do. I like to know I am not alone in my age group.
Julie Levine
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From: Paul Brownstein
Subject: Re: Ask Again, Yes
Leaving another Stephen King book on a plane - it was too big for my bag - turned me over to the dark side - reading and preferring ebooks and digital magazines.
As a kid, the Queens Borough Public Library was my own Happiest Place on Earth. It has been decades since I even entered a public library, but my last trip was both pleasant and profitable because I got a new library card.
I am once again a proud member of the New York Public Library and now the LA Public Library too, after discovering our libraries are now digital. They have a deep collection of ebooks - I just borrowed and read HOWARD Stern's latest book.
They also lend magazines, including BILLBOARD and ROLLING STONE, and even THE NEW YORK TIMES.
Best of all, there's no late fees or Library Policeman.
Charging more for a physical book than an ebook is like the DVD label that tried to take a deduction for returns and shipping on digital download royalties.
Publishers really are the record companies of the21st century.
Paul Brownstein
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From: Dan Navarro
Subject: Re: (I'm Gonna) Love Me Again
I ignored the song in the movie. Didn't know it was new, just thought it
was 80s stuff, maybe a Thom Bell outtake. Didn?t do my homework.
So tonight I checked out the Purple Disco Machine remix after reading you, then heard the original record.
Yeah, the original is not bad but it's not great. Stock Philly Soul with
an extra layer or two of sheen. Slick, by the numbers. And Elton sings it
clean. I mean, he's Elton, he's great, even though admittedly past his
prime. Him singing it clean, I thought, OK, fine, but so what?
But the remix? It grabbed me instantly, a sucker punch in the solar
plexus. The opening guitar licks, clean and undistorted but old OLD school funky, right out in the open, greezy, not hidden in sheen. Then the bass, fat as fat can be. I am tapping along and I?m only ten seconds in, before a note has been sung. It?s the space in the arrangement that caught me. Not overloaded, not slick. Tight, fat, and spare like every instrument
mattered. Like records used to sound.
Then Elton's vocal came in, and holy crap. That rasp in Elton's voice
knocked me out immediately. It sounded like he cares, like he means every word, like they actually matter. Fuck, I wish he sang like that all the
time.
Philly with a hefty dose of Muscle Shoals. I mean, I heard Spooner Oldham
was in the Oscar band, so it ain't an accident. But Elton sang it clean on
the broadcast, and the arrangement on the Oscars was a less ornate version of the original record. So it was OK, happy for his Oscar. Nice, I
suppose, but not not THIS. (Also looked like Inara George and Brian Ray in
the band).
So thanks for the tip. That remix is the best Elton I have heard in decades.
Full stop.
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Subject: I agree and furthermore...
Hi Bob
I couldn't agree more with everything you said. I'm a songwriter and I've written for many of the past inductees…Kiss, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, Heart, and most especially, Pat Benatar. I wrote "Love Is A Battlefield" and "Invincible." I cannot tell you how disgraceful it is that Pat Benatar is not getting inducted. What an utter load of crap and disrespect. While the RRHOF might be concerned about being politically correct and diversifying to the point that the word "rock;' in the name of the organization has pretty much disappeared, why not be " adventurous" - if they had to induct Whitney, why not induct two women in one year.." But no, that would never happen because nothing in this man cave has changed. ..it's still the same misogynist and myopic voters that it's always been.
Every single woman I've ever written for lists Pat as one of their biggesti nspirations. Not only was she groundbreaking then, she still is - who has ever dethroned her?…Why else do you think Avril Lavigne and Lzzy Hale even became singers? At least Heart and Joan Jett made it into the RRHOF in past years…but that shouldn't have precluded future inductions of female rock artists from getting in. It shouldn't be like,"okay we've filled our quota of female rock artists."
And while I'm on the subject- how insane is it that Tina Turner is not in the RRHOF as a solo artist, a true legend and rock n roll treasure???.…Yeah, yeah, she's in it with Ike Turner, ( everyone knows how he beat the living daylights out of her, yet he's been honored for his contribution). Not only did she survive after him, she flourished and became one of the most beloved and biggest rock artists of all time! I've written nine songs for her, including "The Best" and "Better Be Good To Me" and I dare anyone to dispute her impact on rock n roll. her courage... She's as bad ass and talented as it gets. But she's not in the hall…. Idol like someone to explain that one.
Todd Rundgren. If it weren't for him, who knows where I would've ended up . A great , unique artist and songwriter that influenced sooo many other artists that followed— like me…and he got passed over.
WHAT AN UTTER DISGRACE.
Holly Knight
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From: Dave Curtis
Subject: Re: Re-Whitney/Rock Hall
Pavarotti had some great pipes.
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Subject: RE: Mailbag-Zabar's+
Hi Bob,
I know I am late to this, but could not resist commenting on the Zabar's piece since the Carnegie Deli was mentioned. Note my last name. I am one of the late Milton Parker's nephews (there were 3 Parker brothers) and we were a close nit family growing up. Milton and Leo Steiner were partners in a small restaurant on Long Island in the mid 70s. Then purchased they Carnegie. Leo was the front man bringing in the celebrities and was the main greeter. Uncle Milton was behind the counter, handle the food, recipes and back office operations. Sadly Leo past away in 1987 and uncle Milton wound up with 'the whole thing.' What many people don't know was they had (and Marion still has) a warehouse operation where most of the meats were prepared, the bakery, etc. And more amazing was that warehouse supplied many, if not most, of the Jewish deli's in Manhattan and other boroughs with their pastrami and corned beef. But uncle Milton said that the great taste is all in the absolute correct slicing of the pastrami and corned beef. The French fries he made used the Nathan's "recipe" - boil the potatoes first and then flash fry them in boiling oil at a temperature as hot as you can get it but at least 500 degrees! The bakery used a tremendous amount of butter in all their products especially the rugalach and cheese cakes. Fun fact: When Woody Allen started filming for Broadway Danny Rose, he needed a counter man behind the glass. My uncle was dying to get in the film. But Woody said he didn't look the part!
Best,
David E. Parker
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Subject: The story of how "Black Water" became the Doobie Brothers first #1 and first gold single
I was the local promotion guy in Virginia in 1974-75 (actually a triple bagger doing WB-Atlantic and Elektra all simultaneously).
The story of how "Black Water" became the Doobies' first #1 and first gold single:
We were working "Nobody" from the Doobie Bros. self titled debut album. WROV, the main (maybe only) Top 40 station in Roanoke, VA, was one of the few Top 40 stations that also played some album cuts at night. Chuck Holloway, WROV MD, put "Black Water" from the album "What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits" into the nighttime album cut rotation, and the listeners in Roanoke reacted to it. The station was getting calls, and the main record store in town (I think it was Discount Records?) was getting calls for "Black Water" and when told it was only available on an album, people were buying the album. The reaction was strong enough that WROV put "Black Water" on their Top 40 list. I made my promo bosses at WB (Gary Davis with Don McGregor and David Urso) aware of this and was reminded that "Nobody" was the priority. As "Black Water" continued to react positively from listeners, WROV started moving this album cut up their Top 40 singles playlist. I continued to inform WB of the progress of "Black Water" and was continuously reminded that "Nobody" was the priority. As Blackwater continued to move up WROV's playlist, it hit Top 10, where it remained for a number of weeks, eventually hitting #1 for what I recall as being maybe 4 weeks in the top spot. As I continued to let WB know what was happening with it, at some point, I was finally told to keep them posted on it's progress, as I had been doing all along anyway. With "Nobody" not performing as hoped for, and with the success of "Black Water" at WROV, somewhere along the way, Gary, Don, and David went to Buzz Bennett, a then very influential Top 40 PD (who was at that time, as far as I remember, in Minneapolis), and told him about the WROV story, and asked him if he would support it if WB released "Black Water" as a single. With Buzz's commitment to add "Black Water", WB decided to finally release it as a single …. and the rest of the story is Top 40 chart history, with "Black Water" becoming the Doobie Brothers first gold single and first #1 single.
-------
Bob, Not sure if you had ever heard the true, full, real story of Black Water becoming a hit, and in case you hadn't, and since you love the Doobies, I thought you'd enjoy it.
Al Moss
P.S. Yes, it was "Nobody". Somebody at WB evidently always felt that "Nobody" was a hit song, as you do, so they released as a single a couple of different times, possibly even three times (not sure about that part). It never became a hit.
I don't recall the timing of the release of "Nobody" at that particular time. It MIGHT have been put out as a single, before the "...Vices..." album came out, i.e., between albums, and then since it wasn't happening, and all of a sudden the story was developing in Roanoke on "Blackwater," they switched over to that. Or possibly, maybe they didn't think they had a hit on "Vices" so they decided to go back to "Nobody" and try it again. The thinking and decisions leading up to that, I'm not sure of since I was a local promo guy, and those decisions were made in Burbank. But that was the way the story went. Pretty sure I have promo 45's of both Blackwater and Nobody somewhere ... in some box.
So glad to see the Doobies going into the R&RHoF finally. Very deserving and overdue. Now if only Doug Sahm can get in someday ... and a few other missing figures.
I love your passion for the music, Bob. Passion is what's kept me going in this crazy business for 46 years ... to the day actually. I started on April 1, 1974.
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Re: Magazines Are Toast
Bob I agree the music mags have lost their weight credibility wise. I remember playing with Jagger In I think 2001 when the record Goddess In The Doorway came out. I LOVE Mick but to me the record was good not great.
Back then I had several writer friends at Rolling Stone and when the 5 Star review came out I thought hmm. I called one of my writer friends there and when I got cheeky about it that person told me that the boss said to the staff I Think This Is A 5 Star Record So Who Wants To do the Review. It was Jagger so many hands went up. A writer then wrote the review and gave it 3 stars and that review was scrubbed. So you get where I'm going with this.
So yes most mags have lost their weight EXCEPT for this month's issue of Rolling Stone Japan...Cuz I'm on the cover.....
Stevie Salas
P.S. Sure it's on the record it's a true story I just don't wanna say the writers name who told me but he is legit. No offense to Jagger either who I respect deeply.as for why I'm on the cover or RS....
During the 90s for some reason when i was on island records I was loved and sold records and tickets in Japan and Europe. I was treated well in the States by the press always but I was caught up in that Island/A&M mega deal with Polygram so Warner distro was losing my record and Polygram couldn't touch it for 6 months so I was lost in distribution hell while on a sold out tour opening for Joe Satriani in 1990. Things never recovered for me in the US as a solo artist but everywhere else I was kicking ass with Morty Wiggins and Bill Graham Presents as my managers. There was no internet then so people couldn't figure out why I had a lot of money but those countries moved units and concert tickets. I also would work with superstars and up and comers as a guitar player or Writer/Producer during all those years but Japan never left me as an artist.
A couple of years ago I started a project for fun called Inaba Salas with a Japanese pal of 30 years who had I had worked with on and off ( and who happens to be be biggest selling artist in Japanese history selling over 100 million records). Well we do these cool records for fun that mix old school late 80s funk pop and maybe a little bit of The Clash all sung in Japanese....All for fun BUT the last record In 2017 was almost platinum and this new one coming out next week is shipping Gold (they still sell CDs in Japan and for like 38 bucks each so the payments are no joke). We tour and sell a lot of tickets.
We just postponed our Japan tour starting April 25th and we had sold over 80 thousand tickets in about 5 minutes...I shit you not. I get to hire what ever players we want and most are my friends. The last tour had Stuart Zender from Jamiriquoi on Bass, Amp Fiddler from Funkadelic on Keys and Matt Sherrod from Crowded House and Beck on Drums. It's actually super fun and super challenging cuz we really play.
So a few weeks ago we shot the cover of Rolling Stone as well as several others and people are super excited about the release of new record. That's why I am on the cover of Rolling Stone. I always thought I would be on the cover in the States 20 years ago but now I actually appreciate it where when I was young I would have expected it and not took a minute to have a laugh.
It's a big world and it came through for me as an artist when America didn't.
I'd just seen Hal recently. Saw him in January and a couple months before I was on an Ernie Kovacs panel discussion w him. The guy was a huge source of knowledge about old school show biz. It's a big loss all around.
Chris Stein
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Re: Neil Lasher
I knew Neil as a rock radio legend and then we worked together at Chrysalis and again at SBK records. I had the pleasure of calling him my friend and my teammate.
As our lives and our careers took separate paths we remained friends, but the thing that always impressed me about Neal was he took his own demons and turned them into a cause, a passion to help others and show other people how to go on living their life drug-free, alcohol free , and one day at a time.
"Bubby" we will miss you.
Greg Thompson.
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Re: Neil Lasher
Neil's passing is a sad reminder that we all need to stick together.
Life is too short.
I loved his enthusiasm for life and his generous spirit.
He was a gem!
Buzz Knight
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Re: Neil Lasher
When I say that I spoke to Neil practically every day of my life it's no understatement!! He'd call me on the way into the city and yell at every driver that blocked his route. I'd have to hold on during his yelling and screaming while pulling the phone from my ear.
I first met Neil when Daniel hired me at Chrysalis in 1988 during company meetings at the Sonoma Mission Inn.
Neil was sober less than a year and loved to give me shit. Everyone said give him a chance...."It's just Neil being Neil"
Well suffice to say our friendship ran very deep. He joined my synagogue and would break fast with my family for Yom Kippur always with Jill by his side.
I will miss our daily calls and the mensch that defines Neil Lasher.
Love you pal....Rest Easy!
Ken Lane
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Re: Neil Lasher
So cool that you folks knew him recently. I knew Neil as "The DASHER" when he was at FM 105 WKLC in St Albans, WV in the early 80s. When he would do traffic reports, or he had a news item to talk about he would say "This is a flash from the Dash.."
He was one of the main reasons I went into radio. I even used is name and likeness as a character in a screenplay I wrote about radio...
Sorely missed in NYC AND in West Virginia
Larry Schockley
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Subject: Re: Adam Schlesinger
Hey Bob...sad Dewey here. I (we) are shocked to hear about Adam's passing after we were led to believe he was rallying. He was a very bright talented guy which became immediately evident when we went into the studio with him, and James Iha, at the helm producing our 2007 album Here & Now. It includes Adam's song "Work To Do". We marveled at the song craftsmanship and great sounds on all those albums they did and the performances from Adam, Chris, Jody and Brian. We did another FOW song called "A Road Song" on our covers album "Back Pages". We insisted on doing some live show together too, and that was a trip! Welcome Interstate Managers is great as you state..."Bright Future In Sales", "Hackensack", "Mexican Wine" and on and on. Other faves like "Trains and Boats and Planes" and a great laugh will be had at first listen to "Richie and Ruben"! Anyway, we lost another good one and they were the best and I'm bummed. I'm gonna go listen to "Halley's Waitress". Stay well Bob. best, Dewey Bunnell
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Re: Adam Schlesinger
I had the good luck to meet Adam while has owned a studio in New York with James Iha, Stratosphere Sound, on the lower west side. His talent was only matched by his brilliant personality. A tremendous loss for our world.
Joe D'Ambrosio
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Re: Adam Schlesinger
Great tribute Bob. If you haven't checked them out before, listen to the band Tinted Windows. It was Adam on bass, James Iha (of Smashing Pumpkins) on guitar, Taylor Hanson on vocals, and Bun E. Carlos (of Cheap Trick) on drums. They released a really fun self-titled album in 2009!
Alex Speer
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Re: Adam Schlesinger
Very sad indeed Bob, and you are right. Intelligence in Rock has been gone for some time now. Not sure why, since as long as you can dance to it worked for so long. And the actual Fountains of Wayne is also gone. They've just demolished the old building it had.
More recently it housed an electronics retailer so the plaster statues in the parking lot haven't been seen for years. They used to have a Xmas light show you could take kids to on the second floor and that was always fun even if you didn't celebrate the holiday. His use of such a relatively low-brow place certainly reflected his snarky at times take on things. RIP, this has been a bad year in music and for all of us.
Keep safe and well
Robert Heiblim
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Re: Reunification Festival
So you're cool with a $10,000(!!!!) ticket price? How are YOU planning on paying for this, Bob? Great concept, but as usual these days, the little guy gets assed (priced) out.
Doug Deutsch
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Re: Reunification Festival
April fucking Fools, right? I was pumped and bought hotel resies and a rental car in the Cabo area just now, was getting ready to buy flights when it occurred to me--crap it's April 1st!! Aaargh, I think the resies are refundable, but best to email a disclaimer now before a lot of people are out big bucks!
Young Hutchison
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Re: Reunification Festival
Where's the one we've been waiting for the LONGEST, that has maintained the BIGGEST worldwide audience without EVER setting foot on stageGGG Where's ABBA??
Barry Lyons / Rent A Label
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Re: Reunification Festival
I know David Lee Roth's voice hasn't aged well and I don't know how healthy Eddie is (my fingers are crossed that he is doing OK)... but it sure would be great to see the four original members of Van Halen together again... at least for one last "hoorah".
Even if Roth isn't at the top of his vocal game, Michael Anthony was always more than capable of filling in the (vocal) gaps for Van Halen.
I'd sure love to see the king of six strings playing live again.
Scott Hamilton
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Re: Reunification Festival
No Talking Heads :)?
David Bither
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Re: Reunification Festival
Thanks for the information. Are they not in light of what's going on and the devastation that likely we will be looking back on - make some proceeds go to a social impact cause. It's a big turn off for me if something of this scale at this time (even in 2021) doesn't incorporate proceeds to go to saving our planet for one? Having a million people get on a plane, burning down a stage, helping the cartels get rich ... who are we? Haven't we learned anything or maybe the powers that be are out of touch with the masses.
Fernanda Carapinha
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Re: Reunification Festival
What, no Kinks reunion?
Randy Cale
Hard Rock Tulsa
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Re: Reunification Festival
If you can wait about 10-15 years, Bill Graham will be promoting these acts in a subscription series at his Pearly Gates Pavilion.
Tom Rooney
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Re: Reunification Festival
seeing how old some of these performers will be it may be a good idea to have a cardiologist and urologist on site
Stay safe
Peace, Jason Miles
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Re: Reunification Festival
Why doesn't Paul add Dani Harrison to make it complete?
- John Bishoff
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Re: Reunification Festival
What about Steve Perry reuniting with Journey? Didn't you see that in your newsfeed?
John Hauser
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Re: Reunification Festival
You left out.......
Oasis with Liam and Noel- they agree to play at least five songs but will try for ten.
Taylor and Kayne- one night only.
Creed- playing Human Clay in full, gotta hit that red state rock market
The Smiths- if they agree not to do it, a cover band will be provided.
Black Flag- 20 minute set only with a mystery of who will be on vocals.
-Dan Rosenberg
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Re: Reunification Festival
uh... no
Brian Lukow
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Re: Reunification Festival
No thank you
Terri Williams
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Re: Reunification Festival
If the Grateful Dead aren't playing, I'm not going.
Michael Nadler
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Re: Reunification Festival
The Reunification Concert should happen next April 1.
Richard Arfin
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From: Peter Noone
Subject: Re: The Caramel Macchiato Bar
We were starving in England too, so once again your Mum was correct!
Food was rationed, and so were cigarettes and petrol. Our Mums told us children were starving in Africa and that we should eat our horrid root vegetables.
Apparently a sugar butty (white bread margarine and sugar was good ) and a conny onny butty (white bread and condensed milk) was why all those British Invaders in the 1960s were so thin and stinky.
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From: Remy Zero
Subject: Re: Warner IPO
I left America in 2001, when my band, Remy Zero broke up, and, the music industry seemingly about to expire, and the proceeds from 'Smallville,' the tv series that bought our song as their theme song, I moved to Asia and became a music teacher ;)
I only came back to the USA to be a caregiver for a family member but I looked deeply into the surprisingly still extant Music Industry....
Shockingly, it still exists- in a way- but only for aspiring Super-Stars.... There's No room for strange underground, unusual uncommercial music, as there previously WAS, to swirl around on the coat-tails of the Top 10 ; the ONLY way forward now is to push things like a manic 20-year old would - like we did - but after years of records and touring we`re just too damn tired .....
Far from 'burgeoning', the industry now seems only calculated for a few aspiring rap-stars and hot sexy lasses - whom I ADORE - don`t get me wrong - but Nothing else seems to have a chance... Unless there are some nascent band members running wildly amongst their pals, demanding, 'LISTEN! LISTEN !!!', you better have a REAL job ;)
I really love indie underground experimental stuff, and it seems there's no living to be had for those poor kids, even the best ones.....
We were maybe caught between the continents when the Industry-Earthquake happened, and maybe that's just too bad for us and all ( thank God for bad tv! ), and maybe at this point, I`m a muttering old Coot, but 'burgeoning it Definitely is not - at least from where I am listening....(Nashville )
Remy Zero
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Subject: Re: Ignorance Is Bliss
Just saying thanks. I'm so grateful you're saying what you're saying. I tour with a band called The Mavericks. I see multiple parts of 48 states in the US every year. The view from the tour bus window
is very different than the view from a DNC staffer's office. They don't understand. They don't know it. They don't see it. And it's going to pull them under. Hope someone is listening to you...
Best,
Max Abrams
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Subject: Re: Silos
I believe a company could make more money, and move way more units, selling glossy prints of album covers than the albums themselves. I don't mean this sarcastically.
Craig Anderton
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From: Amy Holdorf
Subject: RE: Reaction
Wow, the crackpots are out in full force today. I have a Ph.D. in Immunology. Per Jeremy Backofen, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was invented by Kary Mullis who won the Nobel Prize in 1993 and died in 2019. The "RT" in RT-PCR is reverse transcriptase, an enzyme discovered by the 1975 Nobel Laureate David Baltimore, the former president of Caltech who retired as president in 2006, but is still very active in research as 82-years-young. He certainly is not making statements doubting the work on COVID-19 testing. Someone has been spending too much time on the conspiracy theory message boards.
Per the "not a conspiracy" dude, there is no evidence that SARS-CoV2 is man-made. Here is a peer-reviewed article about it in one of the top medical journals in the world. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0820-9. Non-technical summary. https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-not-human-made-in-lab.html
Further, thousands of otherwise healthy people are succumbing to this virus.
I hate it when people don't listen to science. As national hero Dr. Anthony Fauci said, "We don't operate on how you feel. We operate on what evidence is, and data is." There is no evidence for what either of these whack-jobs are spouting.
Keep the faith, Bob. Peace!
Amy D. Holdorf, Ph.D.
Worcester, MA
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From: Scarlett Rabe
Subject: Re: Reaction
I was raised in and escaped a far right religious cult. Nobody on the left understands what's really going on, how deeply the GOP have trained their cult to despise truth. You're spot on, and I have no idea how we will ever deprogram the indoctrination. Every line of code has to be cleaned and re-written. I left my family, have no contact with them, we aren't family anymore. But, just like how they believed Sandy Hook victims to be "crisis actors", they believe this virus is all a hoax. Science doesn't care if you believe in it. I hope they get Covid. I hope their prayers don't work. I know I'm a horrible person to hope it, but I'm just SO TIRED of the backlash and attacks I get every time I say anything.
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From: Aaron Henderson
Subject: Re: Reaction
So hilarious how all the Repubs are telling you to stop focusing on the negative things of this virus outbreak when all they did during Obama's 8 years was bitch, cry, and moan about how everything sucked and America was going backwards! Now we're supposed to just ignore the negative? Fuck these hypocritical dumbasses, I'd be happy to debate any one of these dumbasses since I have all this time on my hands.
Aaron Henderson
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Subject: Re: Reaction
Bob…Those of us that understand we have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and that our rights supersede Government and are granted from GOD will NEVER let you godless, soulless, authoritarian, unhinged assholes rule us. 600 Million guns ( WAY MORE THAN YOU KNOW) and 2 trillion rounds in our hands will ensure this. We are going to need to separate, leaving you idiots in your own urban city states to rule yourselves, stripped of all voting rights that affect the rest of the country. We MAY let you do that after this collapse….IF YOU ARE LUCKY. However, many of us want you and your entire poisonous ideology destroyed and we have the power to do it, INSTANTLY. Oh, yea and most of the cops and virtually ALL the trigger pulling Military are on our side. You don't even understand what you are ignorant about that you don't know about real grass roots Americans outstide the communist, globalist enclaves on the coasts and in Colorado. You just don't. And, you have ZERO means to stop us should we decide we no longer give you authority over anything. That day is ALMOST at hand. If you're lucky, your old, frail, deranged, ignorant, cowardly, fragile, communist, ass will get to see everything you hold dear crumble before you!!
This has nothing to do with Trump! He's a bafoon and done NOTHING we sent him to do in DC thus becoming part of the very "swamp) he swore to drain. It's the entire Globalist establishment elite and they are almost all on the same team! Certainly NOT on mine. Fuck them all! Their heads will be removed at the end of this 4th turning I'd predict as well. I wish you a long life Bob. Seriously.
Sean Mormelo
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From Stephanie Zill
Re: Reaction
It's interesting to observe that the missives on the right-hand side of the 'aisle' are 100% from men.
Cross the 'aisle' to the second half of your email and you start to see some women's names.
Having ready your emails for many years, I don't believe you vet the responses for gender.
So - why am I not surprised?
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Subject: Thanks
I'm recently retired from my medical career as an anesthesiologist ( Medicine was always a side hustle for me)
Yesterday I found out that two of my former co workers have Coronavirus. One of them may be placed in the ICU.
And of course I want to get back on the front lines.
Your April 1 email was what I needed. I was cracking up.
Jonathan Schneider
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Subject: Re: Internet Ignorance
Hey Bob,
I'm glad to hear your message... Most everyone knows I never liked Trump, When I use to work for SBK Records and go to New York back in the 80's. I never much cared about trump. Yea I would listen to the Howard Stern radio interviews, and thought what in hell is he doing this for? I could think of a 1000 things that made more sense to me. But maybe that because I was use to seeing Charles Koppeklman, and Daniel Glass handing business. Or Bill Gates in a night club at 2am by himself, where I bought him a coke and we talked about him really liking Techo music and me sharing that I was working a group called Tecehnotronic and a song called "Pump up the jam" . And yes he knew it.. I gotta admit I was kind of impressed. This was before he was married of course or I would also see Craig McCaw just doing normal things around Seattle. Like shopping at the Eddy Bauer store or at Starbucks.. Even though he had just sold his phone company to AT&T for 11.5 Billion. Those were business men i looked up to. They were the kind of guys who were making news and doing things with out being dicks. Not full blown ego's like how trump came across. When the apprentice was on TV, I also thought... wow this is so bad it was kind of a train wreck.. Meatloaf, Downtown Julie Brown? who gives a flying about them?? But Some people did I guess. but I have never watched one episode of dancing with the Stars. Trump, cant be taken seriously, look at the damage he has caused by this delay.. I hope this nightmare comes to and end soon. We can't take much more of this mismanagement.
But the reason I'm writing you that I agree the wearing of something over your face should become the message that we share as we can't count on the White House to do the right thing. you got Stephen Curry holding a Q&A with De Fauci, try and get the message to the American people because these daily press briefing with trump are all bullshit. I really think he's only doing them to stay out in front of people that he can't have his little hate rallies. Anyone who has been paying attention can see that he did not have any until weeks of down playing the virus. So Yea.... We should be wearing MASKS! it's way better to have something over your face then noting... Not N95 makes but anything!! So I just wanted to thank you for addressing this. We should never forget that their incompetence and using their Fox and Friends and Rush Limbaugh, & Lou Dobbs to spread very wrong messaging, The lack of attention to this pandemic has been near criminal!
Take care and be safe.
Frank Higginbotham
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From: SILVER HAMMER LTD
Subject: Re: Internet Ignorance
Bob,
No worries, the New York Times - Best Sellers are available on Torrent sites everyday, fiction and non fiction. For free. Good Reads top 20 also. As usual the publishers are too blind and greedy so the authors get screwed. Daniel Ek should start a virtual book store next.
Thanks Yale Bloor
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Subject: Re: Internet Ignorance
Publishers may still be in the dark ages…. My wife has her debut book due out later this year with a major house but found out last week that they have canceled her audio book. They know audio is a money maker for them because they wouldn't give her the contract without the audio rights. Someone higher up the food chain pulled the plug on audio books for a significant number of authors without even telling their editors. When the printed advance reader copies are rumored to be stuck in a quarantined New York office building, killing a digital product seems to be a prime example of thinking under the old school model.
Glenn Osborne
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Subject: Re: Internet Ignorance
Hi Bob,
This is just like the indie radio consultants and small radio stations. Labels are paying independent contractors (indies) who in turn pay mom-and-pop radio stations (aka a payola loophole) to play a song. This keeps the small station's lights on and also costs labels millions of dollars per year just to have a shot at a radio hit. The truth is, these smaller stations are way past their prime. It's as if the movie industry was paying Blockbuster's bill to stay open... When something is outdated or doesn't change with the times, it should be on to the next. Instead, labels foot the bill to get shitty overnight spins (the radio chart is another problem), while the indies gets rich, whether the song is a hit or not. It's a crooked system especially when you look at international markets who not only don't have indies, but also where labels get paid by radio stations to use their product on the air.
Would love for you to do a piece on this backwards system.
Please don't post or use my information. Don't want the indie mob coming after me.
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Subject: Re: Masks
Fuck, Alan Merrill too!
I saw him play with The Left Banke at Le Poisson Rouge in 2015 with George Cameron, Sam Kogon and Ian Lloyd of Stories. It was right after Michael Brown died and it was a memorial concert for him. Great show, Alan was so good I bought a bunch of his solo CD from his website. I am a fan of his mom, jazz singer, Helen Merrill, who live and performs in Japan.
Very sad new,
Jeff Capshew
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Subject: RE: Alan Merrill
Hi Bob:?Re your mention of the death of Alan Merrill in your email newsletter earlier:
Just to let you know, Alan Merrill wrote "I Love Rock n Roll" alone despite the credit reading co-writer (a business partnership courtesy extended to all songs written under the moniker of The Arrows). He told me several times how he wrote it late one night, while living in London, by the light of a candle and whispering into a tape recorder so as not to wake his girlfriend. Mickey Most, head of RAK Records - the label to which Alan's band The Arrows were signed - was goading them to write a hit and Alan thought he'd create a cheeky response to the Rolling Stones' "It's Only Rock 'n Roll," which to his mind cheapened the impact of this musical genre. "ILRnR" was originally earmarked for the B side of The Arrows' next single but Most's wife thought it was a hit and persuaded Mickey to flip the order. The song became a UK chart hit for The Arrows and led to the band getting their own half hour weekly live audience music performance TV show, replacing the Bay City Rollers' programme and which ran for 2 seasons. The Arrows performed "ILRnR" a few times on the broadcast, which is where Joan Jett (in England on tour with The Runaways) hear the song and eventually decided to record her cover version. Today, "I Love Rock n Roll" is one of the most covered rock songs with a website devoted to showcasing dozens of versions in several musical styles (including Weird Al Yankovic's "I Love Rocky Road") by artists from around the world, and remains an international rock anthem instantly recognized by the first two notes. Although perhaps his most famous song, it is by no means the only great song Alan wrote that was successfully recorded by other artists. Over the last several years, Alan continued tecording and teleasing solo albums, and performing quite regularly around NYC doing both solo acoustic sets and shows with his Alan Merrill Extravaganza trio (with Amy Madden on bass and Mark Brodder on drums) and frequent tours back to Japan (where he had been a teen idol as well as co-founder of that country's first glam rock group Vodka Collins) and England. At the time of his death, Alan had just completed recording a new solo album which was slated for release mid-April, and was putting finishing touches on his long awaited autobiography. Alan Merrill was a super talented singer, songwriter and guitarist, but most of all he was a most beloved friend to so many whose lives, hearts and souls he touched. He left an indelible mark on the world and helped make it a better place. He will be sorely missed by all who loved him.?Ida Langsam.
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Subject: Re: Tom Odell
Bob,
I was Tom Odell's professor at the music college he attended in Brighton England about 10 years ago.
Very talented kid but with a chip on his shoulder... for a bunch of reasons, starting with the fact that he was not accepted at England's most prestigious performing arts college, The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts
( LIPA) and had to attend a lesser version in Brighton. I spent many conversations telling him that none of that mattered.. he had the talent... now he needed to find the will. Thankfully I think he did.
Susan L. Dodes
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From: Corinna Crabtree
Hi Bob,
Writing from the UK here - I agree about Tom Odell, but not so much about the state of British pop music! Tom Odell was a fantastic song and one of the few that actually gave me goosebumps when I first heard it! Despite what you say, here in the UK it didn't reach that ubiquitous "classic song" territory that it deserved. I remember frustratingly sitting back watching this song not get the attention it deserved. Back in 2012 (millennials like me) were obsessed with EDM music, which sidelined the singer songwriter world (being one of those as well, it was annoying to see).
Fast forward a few years and the singer songwriter is king again. You mentioned the likes of Lewis Capaldi, for example. There is also a great old school BRIT pop with a slight Bruce Springsteen edge called Sam Fender who has hit the scene and he's doing tremendously well!
Unfortunately, to the outside world it looks like the UK is still pioneering great acts, but take it as a musician who is close to "the scene", there are far too many acts that are all about attention seeking imagery or political statements, but lack musical substance. It's all about electronic productions with no melodies or worse - an ever growing saturated market of British hip hop (not a fan). The art of songwriting seems to fall second to all these Androgynous looking snowflakes that do not seem to have a knack for writing killer melodies or are too afraid to show vulnerability in the quest for looking cool. It is therefore no wonder that we have seen a surge of love for country music in the UK, which is one of the few genres where you can find melody and story telling. I'm a lover of good pop and rock music - if you're prepared to devour the playlists, you discover some great acts. But in the interim, like you say we no longer live in a monoculture. Maybe in the absence of a world war, the result of this pandemic will spark a cultural revolution akin to the 1960s, we can only hope that some good will come of this.
Perhaps you may like this and don't forget to read the description about the song's story in YouTube description section : https://youtu.be/x563WKZCn4U
Take care,
Corinna
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From: Owen Sloane
Subject: Kenny Rogers
I was Kenny's lawyer during his most successful times. I am very saddened by his passing. He was a wonderful stand up guy. Once I mentioned to him that there were other artists in his position who were taking a publishing interest in the songs they recorded even if they had nothing to do with the writing of the song. He said he was aware of that but that he would never do that to any songwriter. If they gave him a hit song they had every right to and deserved to own all of it and reap the rewards. That's the kind of guy Kenny was.
May he rest in peace.
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Subject: Re: News Update-Day 7
Hiya Bob ~
On the abortion sentence alone i could write forever.
Bravo.
I was a director/counselor of a full service women's health center for 20 years, full service of course means abortions amongst a full range of women's healthcare.
We were on the front lines during the Birmingham bombing and 1996 Olympic bombings.
We had protestors every day, not just days we provided abortion care.
Ironically, we served families/women who wanted to be pregnant through our donor insemination program yet the protesters would yell at and shame everyone.
It was difficult, until folks got inside and could access the care they wanted.
I headed up the fetal anomaly program, the worst of times for families diagnosed with a fatal anomaly...having to pass the gauntlet of horrible signs and crazed people shouting at them.
I can tell you (corroborate with you!) the number of moms/dads/grandparents dragging their daughters/granddaughters into the health center even though they "didn't believe in abortion" was staggering, for the whole 20 years.
Some sitting smugly with their bibles on their laps.
Robin Gelberg
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Subject: Re: Today's Rarities-The Silencers
Hi Bob,
So proud to be mentioned in the same letter as 10CC.
Saw them in Glasgow way back, they even did a live fade out of I'm Mandy Fly Me, amazing band.
Blue Desire recorded in Castlesound Studios, Pencaitland just outside of Edinburgh. The Blue Nile gave us their booked studio time so we could record there.
Great times, great song.
Big thanks
Martin Hanlin
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From: Arny Schorr
Subject: RE: Today's Rarities
Thanks for remembering/recognizing Charlie...I was at Janus Records when they came out, we put a push behind them but as you pointed out, we didn't have the cash behind us to break them and shortly after Lines was released, GRT /Janus went into Chapter 7 (long, interesting story).
Fun fact, the girl on the cover was a model known as Flower who is now married to Haim Saban. There's more to the story but we got a lot of coverage on the release be cause of her.
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From: Steve Lukather
From: lukedaddy
Subject: Re: Rain Songs-SiriusXM This Week
"The most well-known take on "State of Independence" is on Donna Summer's 1982 LP, her first for Geffen, produced by Quincy Jones. An album produced by Giorgio Moroder was shelved, and this was made in its place, and it wasn't really successful, even though all these years later it resonates, even though Donna Summer is dead, my how time flies. The "hit" on the album is "Love Is In Control (Finger on the Trigger)," which wears its age pretty well, but the killer was always track number three, "The Woman In Me," talk about smoky and sexy..."
I played on the whole album and co write song as well. It was great fun. Worked on Jon Anderson's record as well. Really fun sessions !
I LOVE ' Yer Album !
Better? Remember it was made in '69. They were ahead of their time!
Anything Walsh and I am IN. I got stoned for the first time ever at 14 years old listening to The Bomber. I cut a version of it on my 2nd solo record on "93.
Luke
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From: Joe Raasch
Subject: Re: Babka!
The delivery came today, right before I arrived home from work.
THAT BABKA IS SO GOOD that my wife and I aren't sharing it with our daughter. I've never had anything like it and my dad was a baker by profession!
Thanks again for the pro tip!
Joe
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From: John Green
Subject: Re: Tonight's Debate
Man your fucking nuts your another spam man. Watch out bro they'll burn your house down too. It's coming and Bernies blood will be in the streets you just wait. He'll get his 45 right between the eyes. Just watch bob dog
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From: Allen Hare
Subject: Re: American Factory
I am a thirty-plus year trucker, and a proud member of Local 745 of the International Brotherhood Of Teamsters, here in Dallas, TX.
It hurts to see some of my Teamster brothers not truly appreciate what we have. They take it for granted, not realizing how easily it could all be taken away. I know many of them are right wingers, and voted for Trump.
We must continue to educate, organize, and vote.
Thanks for helping to spread the word.
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Subject: Re: The Debate
Spot on, Bob.
I'm a 50-something white woman, who after years in the music and entertainment business made a right turn and now I am a daily money manager handling the lives and affairs of seniors. I'm the only person in my world who is a big Bernie Sanders supporter, but for me, Bernie's healthcare plan is the only plan that makes sense to me. Here's why.
I have become an expert in the healthcare world. Most of my clients are affluent and they can all well afford the best healthcare on the world. The truth is for the most part, Medicare works really well for them. Sure they pay out of pocket from time to time for doctors that do not accept Medicare, but they are not paying a fortune in premiums.
For my clients who are not of retirement age, I deal with insurance companies all day long...in fact I fight with insurance companies nearly every single day, it is maddening...some days the issue is the utter incompetence of the claims people at the insurance carriers, but there are moments when I really think the denials of claims are intentionally designed by management, hoping that you will grow weary and give up fighting for your reimbursements. I am sure many people do because the time suck and frustration is enough to make you sick. This is why my clients pay me to handle it. I never give up, but what it takes to get what is rightfully yours from these insurance companies is such a colossal waste of time and effort. There is no good one...they are all different shades of horrible.
Bernie Sanders is the only candidate that speaks with any intelligence on the healthcare issue...No one really and truly loves their healthcare plan. Oh yeah a few will say they do, but they do not understand just how much they are overpaying for what they think is a good plan but in reality is crap.
Here's an example for New York
$1,100 premium from a large carrier for a plan with a $1,500 in network deductible and a $6,000 out of network deductible that is really $6,000 of "allowable amounts" so figure more like $9,500 deductible and then after you meet said deductible the coverage of 80% of again an allowable amount, plus a copay, you are looking at a therapist charge of $500 and a reimbursement of roughly $250. When you do the math you have to shell out over $25,000/year + just to start getting back what amounts to 60% of your out of network charges.
If we do any less than Medicare For All, we are sunk. Why? Because we have to take the insurance companies out of the equation completely in order to transform our healthcare system...they must be killed off. They are no good and their corporate agenda is to pay as little as possible!
Also, we need everyone to pay into a Medicare For All system to fund it...there is no half way here.
I'll actively support anyone who gets the eventual nomination, but Bernie is my guy. Thank you for writing what you do. I like to know I am not alone in my age group.
Julie Levine
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From: Paul Brownstein
Subject: Re: Ask Again, Yes
Leaving another Stephen King book on a plane - it was too big for my bag - turned me over to the dark side - reading and preferring ebooks and digital magazines.
As a kid, the Queens Borough Public Library was my own Happiest Place on Earth. It has been decades since I even entered a public library, but my last trip was both pleasant and profitable because I got a new library card.
I am once again a proud member of the New York Public Library and now the LA Public Library too, after discovering our libraries are now digital. They have a deep collection of ebooks - I just borrowed and read HOWARD Stern's latest book.
They also lend magazines, including BILLBOARD and ROLLING STONE, and even THE NEW YORK TIMES.
Best of all, there's no late fees or Library Policeman.
Charging more for a physical book than an ebook is like the DVD label that tried to take a deduction for returns and shipping on digital download royalties.
Publishers really are the record companies of the21st century.
Paul Brownstein
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From: Dan Navarro
Subject: Re: (I'm Gonna) Love Me Again
I ignored the song in the movie. Didn't know it was new, just thought it
was 80s stuff, maybe a Thom Bell outtake. Didn?t do my homework.
So tonight I checked out the Purple Disco Machine remix after reading you, then heard the original record.
Yeah, the original is not bad but it's not great. Stock Philly Soul with
an extra layer or two of sheen. Slick, by the numbers. And Elton sings it
clean. I mean, he's Elton, he's great, even though admittedly past his
prime. Him singing it clean, I thought, OK, fine, but so what?
But the remix? It grabbed me instantly, a sucker punch in the solar
plexus. The opening guitar licks, clean and undistorted but old OLD school funky, right out in the open, greezy, not hidden in sheen. Then the bass, fat as fat can be. I am tapping along and I?m only ten seconds in, before a note has been sung. It?s the space in the arrangement that caught me. Not overloaded, not slick. Tight, fat, and spare like every instrument
mattered. Like records used to sound.
Then Elton's vocal came in, and holy crap. That rasp in Elton's voice
knocked me out immediately. It sounded like he cares, like he means every word, like they actually matter. Fuck, I wish he sang like that all the
time.
Philly with a hefty dose of Muscle Shoals. I mean, I heard Spooner Oldham
was in the Oscar band, so it ain't an accident. But Elton sang it clean on
the broadcast, and the arrangement on the Oscars was a less ornate version of the original record. So it was OK, happy for his Oscar. Nice, I
suppose, but not not THIS. (Also looked like Inara George and Brian Ray in
the band).
So thanks for the tip. That remix is the best Elton I have heard in decades.
Full stop.
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Subject: I agree and furthermore...
Hi Bob
I couldn't agree more with everything you said. I'm a songwriter and I've written for many of the past inductees…Kiss, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, Heart, and most especially, Pat Benatar. I wrote "Love Is A Battlefield" and "Invincible." I cannot tell you how disgraceful it is that Pat Benatar is not getting inducted. What an utter load of crap and disrespect. While the RRHOF might be concerned about being politically correct and diversifying to the point that the word "rock;' in the name of the organization has pretty much disappeared, why not be " adventurous" - if they had to induct Whitney, why not induct two women in one year.." But no, that would never happen because nothing in this man cave has changed. ..it's still the same misogynist and myopic voters that it's always been.
Every single woman I've ever written for lists Pat as one of their biggesti nspirations. Not only was she groundbreaking then, she still is - who has ever dethroned her?…Why else do you think Avril Lavigne and Lzzy Hale even became singers? At least Heart and Joan Jett made it into the RRHOF in past years…but that shouldn't have precluded future inductions of female rock artists from getting in. It shouldn't be like,"okay we've filled our quota of female rock artists."
And while I'm on the subject- how insane is it that Tina Turner is not in the RRHOF as a solo artist, a true legend and rock n roll treasure???.…Yeah, yeah, she's in it with Ike Turner, ( everyone knows how he beat the living daylights out of her, yet he's been honored for his contribution). Not only did she survive after him, she flourished and became one of the most beloved and biggest rock artists of all time! I've written nine songs for her, including "The Best" and "Better Be Good To Me" and I dare anyone to dispute her impact on rock n roll. her courage... She's as bad ass and talented as it gets. But she's not in the hall…. Idol like someone to explain that one.
Todd Rundgren. If it weren't for him, who knows where I would've ended up . A great , unique artist and songwriter that influenced sooo many other artists that followed— like me…and he got passed over.
WHAT AN UTTER DISGRACE.
Holly Knight
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From: Dave Curtis
Subject: Re: Re-Whitney/Rock Hall
Pavarotti had some great pipes.
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Subject: RE: Mailbag-Zabar's+
Hi Bob,
I know I am late to this, but could not resist commenting on the Zabar's piece since the Carnegie Deli was mentioned. Note my last name. I am one of the late Milton Parker's nephews (there were 3 Parker brothers) and we were a close nit family growing up. Milton and Leo Steiner were partners in a small restaurant on Long Island in the mid 70s. Then purchased they Carnegie. Leo was the front man bringing in the celebrities and was the main greeter. Uncle Milton was behind the counter, handle the food, recipes and back office operations. Sadly Leo past away in 1987 and uncle Milton wound up with 'the whole thing.' What many people don't know was they had (and Marion still has) a warehouse operation where most of the meats were prepared, the bakery, etc. And more amazing was that warehouse supplied many, if not most, of the Jewish deli's in Manhattan and other boroughs with their pastrami and corned beef. But uncle Milton said that the great taste is all in the absolute correct slicing of the pastrami and corned beef. The French fries he made used the Nathan's "recipe" - boil the potatoes first and then flash fry them in boiling oil at a temperature as hot as you can get it but at least 500 degrees! The bakery used a tremendous amount of butter in all their products especially the rugalach and cheese cakes. Fun fact: When Woody Allen started filming for Broadway Danny Rose, he needed a counter man behind the glass. My uncle was dying to get in the film. But Woody said he didn't look the part!
Best,
David E. Parker
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Subject: The story of how "Black Water" became the Doobie Brothers first #1 and first gold single
I was the local promotion guy in Virginia in 1974-75 (actually a triple bagger doing WB-Atlantic and Elektra all simultaneously).
The story of how "Black Water" became the Doobies' first #1 and first gold single:
We were working "Nobody" from the Doobie Bros. self titled debut album. WROV, the main (maybe only) Top 40 station in Roanoke, VA, was one of the few Top 40 stations that also played some album cuts at night. Chuck Holloway, WROV MD, put "Black Water" from the album "What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits" into the nighttime album cut rotation, and the listeners in Roanoke reacted to it. The station was getting calls, and the main record store in town (I think it was Discount Records?) was getting calls for "Black Water" and when told it was only available on an album, people were buying the album. The reaction was strong enough that WROV put "Black Water" on their Top 40 list. I made my promo bosses at WB (Gary Davis with Don McGregor and David Urso) aware of this and was reminded that "Nobody" was the priority. As "Black Water" continued to react positively from listeners, WROV started moving this album cut up their Top 40 singles playlist. I continued to inform WB of the progress of "Black Water" and was continuously reminded that "Nobody" was the priority. As Blackwater continued to move up WROV's playlist, it hit Top 10, where it remained for a number of weeks, eventually hitting #1 for what I recall as being maybe 4 weeks in the top spot. As I continued to let WB know what was happening with it, at some point, I was finally told to keep them posted on it's progress, as I had been doing all along anyway. With "Nobody" not performing as hoped for, and with the success of "Black Water" at WROV, somewhere along the way, Gary, Don, and David went to Buzz Bennett, a then very influential Top 40 PD (who was at that time, as far as I remember, in Minneapolis), and told him about the WROV story, and asked him if he would support it if WB released "Black Water" as a single. With Buzz's commitment to add "Black Water", WB decided to finally release it as a single …. and the rest of the story is Top 40 chart history, with "Black Water" becoming the Doobie Brothers first gold single and first #1 single.
-------
Bob, Not sure if you had ever heard the true, full, real story of Black Water becoming a hit, and in case you hadn't, and since you love the Doobies, I thought you'd enjoy it.
Al Moss
P.S. Yes, it was "Nobody". Somebody at WB evidently always felt that "Nobody" was a hit song, as you do, so they released as a single a couple of different times, possibly even three times (not sure about that part). It never became a hit.
I don't recall the timing of the release of "Nobody" at that particular time. It MIGHT have been put out as a single, before the "...Vices..." album came out, i.e., between albums, and then since it wasn't happening, and all of a sudden the story was developing in Roanoke on "Blackwater," they switched over to that. Or possibly, maybe they didn't think they had a hit on "Vices" so they decided to go back to "Nobody" and try it again. The thinking and decisions leading up to that, I'm not sure of since I was a local promo guy, and those decisions were made in Burbank. But that was the way the story went. Pretty sure I have promo 45's of both Blackwater and Nobody somewhere ... in some box.
So glad to see the Doobies going into the R&RHoF finally. Very deserving and overdue. Now if only Doug Sahm can get in someday ... and a few other missing figures.
I love your passion for the music, Bob. Passion is what's kept me going in this crazy business for 46 years ... to the day actually. I started on April 1, 1974.
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Re: Magazines Are Toast
Bob I agree the music mags have lost their weight credibility wise. I remember playing with Jagger In I think 2001 when the record Goddess In The Doorway came out. I LOVE Mick but to me the record was good not great.
Back then I had several writer friends at Rolling Stone and when the 5 Star review came out I thought hmm. I called one of my writer friends there and when I got cheeky about it that person told me that the boss said to the staff I Think This Is A 5 Star Record So Who Wants To do the Review. It was Jagger so many hands went up. A writer then wrote the review and gave it 3 stars and that review was scrubbed. So you get where I'm going with this.
So yes most mags have lost their weight EXCEPT for this month's issue of Rolling Stone Japan...Cuz I'm on the cover.....
Stevie Salas
P.S. Sure it's on the record it's a true story I just don't wanna say the writers name who told me but he is legit. No offense to Jagger either who I respect deeply.as for why I'm on the cover or RS....
During the 90s for some reason when i was on island records I was loved and sold records and tickets in Japan and Europe. I was treated well in the States by the press always but I was caught up in that Island/A&M mega deal with Polygram so Warner distro was losing my record and Polygram couldn't touch it for 6 months so I was lost in distribution hell while on a sold out tour opening for Joe Satriani in 1990. Things never recovered for me in the US as a solo artist but everywhere else I was kicking ass with Morty Wiggins and Bill Graham Presents as my managers. There was no internet then so people couldn't figure out why I had a lot of money but those countries moved units and concert tickets. I also would work with superstars and up and comers as a guitar player or Writer/Producer during all those years but Japan never left me as an artist.
A couple of years ago I started a project for fun called Inaba Salas with a Japanese pal of 30 years who had I had worked with on and off ( and who happens to be be biggest selling artist in Japanese history selling over 100 million records). Well we do these cool records for fun that mix old school late 80s funk pop and maybe a little bit of The Clash all sung in Japanese....All for fun BUT the last record In 2017 was almost platinum and this new one coming out next week is shipping Gold (they still sell CDs in Japan and for like 38 bucks each so the payments are no joke). We tour and sell a lot of tickets.
We just postponed our Japan tour starting April 25th and we had sold over 80 thousand tickets in about 5 minutes...I shit you not. I get to hire what ever players we want and most are my friends. The last tour had Stuart Zender from Jamiriquoi on Bass, Amp Fiddler from Funkadelic on Keys and Matt Sherrod from Crowded House and Beck on Drums. It's actually super fun and super challenging cuz we really play.
So a few weeks ago we shot the cover of Rolling Stone as well as several others and people are super excited about the release of new record. That's why I am on the cover of Rolling Stone. I always thought I would be on the cover in the States 20 years ago but now I actually appreciate it where when I was young I would have expected it and not took a minute to have a laugh.
It's a big world and it came through for me as an artist when America didn't.
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