"Do Stand So Close: my improbable adventure as Sting's guitarist": https://amzn.to/38OscAw
This is the best book I've ever read about being on the road. Yes, even better than Ian Hunter's long ago memoir.
First and foremost, Jeffrey Lee Campbell can write. Positively astounding. Not a week goes by without someone sending me their music book, and they're almost never good. Having a story is different from being able to write the story. Furthermore, said writers don't realize a story should flow, that sometimes you've got to leave the best stuff out because it doesn't fit the narrative.
But not Jeffrey Lee Campbell.
Jeff was the guitarist on Sting's "...Nothing Like the Sun" tour, which included a six week worldwide jaunt on the Amnesty tour, featuring Bruce Springsteen and Peter Gabriel and more.
Jeff didn't play on the record, but Sting heard him play as part of an underfunded jazz combo in Europe and decided to give him an audition. Jeff showed up for multiple rehearsals, and eventually Sting said he could have the job if he wanted it. The business people told him it was only going to pay $2500 a week, take it or leave it, but it was much better than selling candy at Broadway theatres.
Yes, that was Jeff's gig. Along with Aaron Sorkin and Camryn Manheim... You've got to start somewhere, and you're best off starting in New York or L.A. Did you read any of the obits about Howard Johnson? The tuba player made famous by Taj Mahal, who was a fixture in the original SNL band, didn't think he was good enough for New York, so he went first to Chicago. But when Eric Dolphy heard Howard play, he said he was needed in NYC right away, and Howard moved, and there started a decades-long career: https://nyti.ms/3qshN3z
Jeff was living in North Carolina. He'd attended the music program at the University of Miami, but dropped out after three years. Then he played in local bands until he got up the gumption to move to the city. Where he was nobody. He got the gig selling candy and hanging coats on Broadway, but he had to work his connections until he could finally get gigs playing in wedding bands. What did AC/DC say? It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll?
But actually, it was a short journey for Jeff. He took the gig and...
Proceeded to go on the road for a year. This was before the internet, never mind smartphones. Being in one's hotel room was lonely, and boring. Jeff played some tennis, at times with Sting, but mostly he drank and drugged and saw nothing of the world, mostly in places he's never been back to.
You see this was the highlight of Jeff's career. 1987-1988. He never got such a high profile gig thereafter. He came home thinking he was a big deal, but in the city he was seen as a guy who hadn't paid his dues, who wasn't hooked into the local scene, and after running out of money, he went back to playing in wedding bands and... He played some other famous tours thereafter, but not at the same level, with the same prominence. For decades, Jeff's been a guitarist in Broadway orchestras. It's a hard gig to get, and not often an easy gig to keep, it's all about relationships. Being able to play is assumed. Jeff rehearsed for free, spent all that time learning the music to get his first gig as a sub. And he likes being able to walk to work, and the pay is good, but it is not the touring big time.
So, Jeff goes on the road and is always worried about getting fired. And this is a possibility. The drummer is replaced. Yes, you think you've got security, but...
And the regulars, like Kenny Kirkland and Branford Marsalis... I won't say they exactly haze him, but when he steps out, makes rookie mistakes, they rub it in, deeply.
And the sex... Sometimes in brothels provided as perks by promoters. And the endless one night stands. The girls want to get closer, and Jeff provides the experience. And these affairs often take all night, so the next day...you're dragging. And then there's the night Jeff did too much and was subpar on stage and was chided by Sting...
Sting is portrayed as a good guy. Not without faults, but...you buy it as a reader, even though Rod Stewart zings the star.
So, there's a warm-up in South America, and an appearance on SNL, where Jeff gets to wail on "Little Wing," but he's always wondering exactly where he fits in, how wide a path he can cut, is he one of the boys or just an outsider who's going to be one and done.
Jeff does not get hired for the next Sting tour. And he wonders, did he drink too much, party too much? He'll never know. But he's been trading on this one year of touring with Sting ever since, it's the gift that keeps on giving.
Jeff doesn't sugarcoat the story. And the best thing is he describes his feelings, and has no problem putting himself down and wondering what he was thinking when he did certain things.
Most people have no idea what truly goes on on the road. They see the band on stage, and believe off stage is a heaven of sex and drugs. But there's endless travel, which wears on you.
And is Jeff ever accepted?
He's on the Amnesty tour and one of Bruce's security people insists he get out of the way, despite Jeff having an all access pass. Jeff refuses to move, and then Bruce comes down the hallway and says hi to him. Jeff got some satisfaction.
And you will too.
Yes, this was over thirty years ago. And now things are different, but on some level they're the same. Can you afford a private jet, can you base yourself in a central city and then fly out to gigs?
And there are so many great lines, musician aphorisms, many that I have not heard.
Like musicians can make a killing, but they can't make a living. Either you get this or you don't.
And as far as money on the road...it is described as an ocean of cash, and if you dip in and take some, no one will ever notice it. I'm not talking about theft, but if you want to stand up for more...it's not gonna hurt the tour, no one's really going to notice the loss.
I breezed right through this book. I had a hard time putting it down. If you want to know what it's like being on the road, a prominent band member backing up a superstar...THIS IS THE PLACE!
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Saturday 16 January 2021
Thursday 14 January 2021
Dion-This Week's Podcast
We discuss Mr. DiMucci's early years in the Bronx, getting a record deal, assembling the Belmonts, going on the road, getting on and off drugs, AA, his life in Miami, royalties, his new work and... Dion has been there and back, he's full of insight, AND HE'S STILL MARRIED TO RUNAROUND SUE!
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-bob-lefsetz-podcast-30806836/
https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-bob-lefsetz-podcast/episode/dion-80826443
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1PdNsIC8meih7QnSU98kXp?si=m4lQDpNBR2yMD71K_IlxUQ
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9ff4fb19-54d4-41ae-ae7a-8a6f8d3dafa8/The-Bob-Lefsetz-Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bob-lefsetz-podcast/id1316200737
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https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-bob-lefsetz-podcast-30806836/
https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-bob-lefsetz-podcast/episode/dion-80826443
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1PdNsIC8meih7QnSU98kXp?si=m4lQDpNBR2yMD71K_IlxUQ
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9ff4fb19-54d4-41ae-ae7a-8a6f8d3dafa8/The-Bob-Lefsetz-Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bob-lefsetz-podcast/id1316200737
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Streaming TV
My friend Ralph sends me a cornucopia of newspaper clippings from the U.K. on a regular basis. To a great degree they're obituaries, or a spotlight on a minor figure who had impact in the world of music, but this week's package had even more, which I'm going to tell you about now.
There were multiple articles on the success of U.K. music around the world. One in ten songs streamed globally is British. As a result of streaming, U.K. artists now have reach into Asia, Africa and South America that they did not have previously. U.K. artists' impact is four times greater than the country's GDP.
But it gets even better.
U.K. labels now have 640 signed acts, a whopping 68% jump from 2010!
As for all that hysteria about the drop in streaming consumption back in March and April...streaming ultimately went up more than 20%! Ain't that music business reporting, all short term, all hit and run, with no perspective. And streaming is the champion, it represents 80% of music consumption in the U.K.
But this is where it truly gets interesting... Almost 200 artists were streamed in excess of 100 million times. The value of a stream varies, despite all the penny nonsense thrown around. I'd explain it, but either you know how the ecosystem works or you don't. But I'll point you to this article: https://bit.ly/3bBYjFz which calculates that a million streams earn $4,370. Well, that means if you get a hundred million streams, you make...$437,000!
Let's not get into the penumbra, the minor details, whether it was a paid stream or one that came with advertising and...
Let's not assume you've got a lousy deal.
What we're saying here is 200 artists made nearly half a million bucks from streaming last year. You keep nearly all the money if you're your own label, but the new standard is closer to a fifty/fifty split of net if you're signed to a label and if this is the case, this means that over 200 acts made in excess of $215,000 from streaming last year. Of course, we can get into costs, what defines the net, but if you go back to the old days, which people wax rhapsodic about, most acts didn't even go into royalties, they survived on the advances, what was left after recording costs, if anything.
And now you're saying that all the money is going to the classic acts, but that is not true. Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, Adele, Sam Smith, Lewis Capaldi and Dua Lipa were some of the most streamed, along with the Beatles and Queen.
And let's not forget old acts are still getting paid from streaming, wherein the old days their recorded music revenue ultimately faded to zero, or close to it, because their albums weren't even available in stores, there was a space issue. If you can't find it, you can't buy it...but now with streaming, everything is available at your fingertips, everything is findable.
Meanwhile, over 8,000 acts eclipse one million streams annually. That's $4,370. Not bad considering back before the internet the major labels only had a few thousand acts on their rosters.
So, what does this MEAN?
Well, the complaints are out of proportion with the reality. Turns out a lot of people bitching were propped up by the labels of yore. They had deals when deals were rare. They were the beneficiaries of advances and marketing and tour support, but most of them never earned royalties. And now, it turns out that most people don't want to listen to their music, it has not survived, it has been eclipsed by that of youngsters and stars. Or else the oldsters have bad deals.
Once again, a million streams is no longer that high a threshold. 8,000 acts a year reach that total! So if you're bitching that you're not getting paid much on 10,000 or even 100,000 streams...turns out you're really not that popular. And if you think you have a devoted fanbase, you can always go on the road, which acts have done for eons after losing their label deals. The label built their rep, they're surviving on it, they're getting few recording royalties, if at all.
As for new acts... Yes, it's harder to get noticed. Then again, you've got the tools to get noticed at your fingertips! In the days of yore, you were hamstrung. It cost a fortune to record and distribute, you could not get your story out, you were dead in the water, maybe you could play the local club. Now, many acts tour the world, or at least their home country, without having a major record label deal at all!
As for those old and new acts still complaining, they can still sell overpriced vinyl at the show, as well as CDs and other merch. Merch can be made cheaply and easily and sold via the web, what a world!
What we're seeing is evolution. There are tons of new successful acts. Did the acts of the thirties complain that the Beatles were stealing all their money, that they weren't getting paid recording royalties in the seventies, in the heyday of Queen? OF COURSE NOT!
As for the music being made...
I point you to this "Daily Mail" story:
"Pop songs will get SHORTER in future because the attention span of young people has dropped by 33% since 2000, experts predict": http://dailym.ai/3nNrzLM
In other words, you've got eight seconds to hook the listener, as opposed to twelve twenty years ago. And you only get paid on Spotify if a song is listened to for thirty seconds.
So, you've got to get to the hook sooner, to grab people, to make sure they continue to listen.
And streaming pays by the play, so it behooves you to not extend the song, to increase repeatability, which pays you more.
In other words, the medium is affecting the message.
So, if you need time to stretch out...it may be working against you. Don't shoot the messenger! This does not mean longer songs with delayed hooks won't dominate in the future, but the populace must be driven to these songs, they must be superior, just like the eight minute "Stairway to Heaven" eclipsed under two minute ditties like the Beatles' "From Me to You" or the Box Tops' "The Letter."
So yes, it's tragic that touring has been killed by Covid, but the truth is the future is here and it's so bright you've got to wear shades and it's getting better all the time. As for the quality of the music? I'll let you decide, but the more money available/earned, the more you draw higher quality people to the enterprise, looking to score.
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There were multiple articles on the success of U.K. music around the world. One in ten songs streamed globally is British. As a result of streaming, U.K. artists now have reach into Asia, Africa and South America that they did not have previously. U.K. artists' impact is four times greater than the country's GDP.
But it gets even better.
U.K. labels now have 640 signed acts, a whopping 68% jump from 2010!
As for all that hysteria about the drop in streaming consumption back in March and April...streaming ultimately went up more than 20%! Ain't that music business reporting, all short term, all hit and run, with no perspective. And streaming is the champion, it represents 80% of music consumption in the U.K.
But this is where it truly gets interesting... Almost 200 artists were streamed in excess of 100 million times. The value of a stream varies, despite all the penny nonsense thrown around. I'd explain it, but either you know how the ecosystem works or you don't. But I'll point you to this article: https://bit.ly/3bBYjFz which calculates that a million streams earn $4,370. Well, that means if you get a hundred million streams, you make...$437,000!
Let's not get into the penumbra, the minor details, whether it was a paid stream or one that came with advertising and...
Let's not assume you've got a lousy deal.
What we're saying here is 200 artists made nearly half a million bucks from streaming last year. You keep nearly all the money if you're your own label, but the new standard is closer to a fifty/fifty split of net if you're signed to a label and if this is the case, this means that over 200 acts made in excess of $215,000 from streaming last year. Of course, we can get into costs, what defines the net, but if you go back to the old days, which people wax rhapsodic about, most acts didn't even go into royalties, they survived on the advances, what was left after recording costs, if anything.
And now you're saying that all the money is going to the classic acts, but that is not true. Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, Adele, Sam Smith, Lewis Capaldi and Dua Lipa were some of the most streamed, along with the Beatles and Queen.
And let's not forget old acts are still getting paid from streaming, wherein the old days their recorded music revenue ultimately faded to zero, or close to it, because their albums weren't even available in stores, there was a space issue. If you can't find it, you can't buy it...but now with streaming, everything is available at your fingertips, everything is findable.
Meanwhile, over 8,000 acts eclipse one million streams annually. That's $4,370. Not bad considering back before the internet the major labels only had a few thousand acts on their rosters.
So, what does this MEAN?
Well, the complaints are out of proportion with the reality. Turns out a lot of people bitching were propped up by the labels of yore. They had deals when deals were rare. They were the beneficiaries of advances and marketing and tour support, but most of them never earned royalties. And now, it turns out that most people don't want to listen to their music, it has not survived, it has been eclipsed by that of youngsters and stars. Or else the oldsters have bad deals.
Once again, a million streams is no longer that high a threshold. 8,000 acts a year reach that total! So if you're bitching that you're not getting paid much on 10,000 or even 100,000 streams...turns out you're really not that popular. And if you think you have a devoted fanbase, you can always go on the road, which acts have done for eons after losing their label deals. The label built their rep, they're surviving on it, they're getting few recording royalties, if at all.
As for new acts... Yes, it's harder to get noticed. Then again, you've got the tools to get noticed at your fingertips! In the days of yore, you were hamstrung. It cost a fortune to record and distribute, you could not get your story out, you were dead in the water, maybe you could play the local club. Now, many acts tour the world, or at least their home country, without having a major record label deal at all!
As for those old and new acts still complaining, they can still sell overpriced vinyl at the show, as well as CDs and other merch. Merch can be made cheaply and easily and sold via the web, what a world!
What we're seeing is evolution. There are tons of new successful acts. Did the acts of the thirties complain that the Beatles were stealing all their money, that they weren't getting paid recording royalties in the seventies, in the heyday of Queen? OF COURSE NOT!
As for the music being made...
I point you to this "Daily Mail" story:
"Pop songs will get SHORTER in future because the attention span of young people has dropped by 33% since 2000, experts predict": http://dailym.ai/3nNrzLM
In other words, you've got eight seconds to hook the listener, as opposed to twelve twenty years ago. And you only get paid on Spotify if a song is listened to for thirty seconds.
So, you've got to get to the hook sooner, to grab people, to make sure they continue to listen.
And streaming pays by the play, so it behooves you to not extend the song, to increase repeatability, which pays you more.
In other words, the medium is affecting the message.
So, if you need time to stretch out...it may be working against you. Don't shoot the messenger! This does not mean longer songs with delayed hooks won't dominate in the future, but the populace must be driven to these songs, they must be superior, just like the eight minute "Stairway to Heaven" eclipsed under two minute ditties like the Beatles' "From Me to You" or the Box Tops' "The Letter."
So yes, it's tragic that touring has been killed by Covid, but the truth is the future is here and it's so bright you've got to wear shades and it's getting better all the time. As for the quality of the music? I'll let you decide, but the more money available/earned, the more you draw higher quality people to the enterprise, looking to score.
--
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--
Listen to the podcast:
-iHeart: https://ihr.fm/2Gi5PFj
-Apple: https://apple.co/2ndmpvp
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Wednesday 13 January 2021
Re-Blowback
Bob, who do these people think they're fooling?
Loved this piece of blowback "The smartest thing for Biden to do is to pardon Trump, put all this wasted energy behind us, and move forward with trying to unify the people.
Reminded me of George Carlin's "I just want to put this thing behind me and get on with my life"
https://youtu.be/H0YSlxUaESg?t=660
Keep on kicking
Anthony Gimel
________________________________________
Seems it's time for your readers to again contemplate the Paradox of tolerance, as posed by Karl Popper in 1945 in The Open Society and Its Enemies,
"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them.?—?In this formulation, I do not imply, for instance, that we should always suppress the utterance of intolerant philosophies; as long as we can counter them by rational argument and keep them in check by public opinion, suppression would certainly be unwise. But we should claim the right to suppress them if necessary even by force; for it may easily turn out that they are not prepared to meet us on the level of rational argument, but begin by denouncing all argument; they may forbid their followers to listen to rational argument, because it is deceptive, and teach them to answer arguments by the use of their fists or pistols. We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant"
Stu Walker
________________________________________
Thanks for the master class on whataboutism, deflection, and denial. And when a private company decides who can use its services it's not censorship. As one wit put it, think of Twitter as a Christian baker and Trump as a gay wedding cake. America the beautiful.
George Laugelli
________________________________________
It's pretty simple - do you care about others in society beyond your loved ones or not? Be honest with yourself. All this defensiveness, and denial. We know the history here. There are only two sides to decency. We must stop listening to the people who don't care and are too much up in their ego to ever admit they were wrong.
My aunt was a German girl living outside Bergen Belsen. She knew, but she never admitted she was sorry. She always said she couldn't do anything because her family was hungry. We don't know what we would have done in her position, but we know what we can do now. There is a line. We all have to stop listening to those who won't even acknowledge the line.
Thanks for enduring the slings.
Johanna
________________________________________
As a concert promoter, I learned the ticket price wasn't high enough if nobody complained about it.
Before I promoted shows, I spent 25 years in the newspaper business. As a sports editor, the overwhelming majority of letters I got were from those complaining about coverage.
The point is - I was amazed to see that you have 3 or 4 responses supporting you here. The others are predictable negative responses. People, by nature, don't bother to write about it unless they disagree or object. For every pissed off reader, you probably have a dozen or more who agree with you and don't feel compelled to write about it.
Brian Martin
________________________________________
This is what we have become, a bunch of uneducated people who make big pronouncements without any facts to back them up. Your complainers prove they are not interested in the truth if it contradicts their beliefs.
Maggie Curran- "There's absolutely no scientific evidence, using the scientific method, that masks prevent infection. None." Did not know Maggie was a scientist and practicing physician ? If you go into any operating room in America everyone is wearing a mask. A simple google search will give you numerous medical studies that prove otherwise.
Thaddeus Graham- "No, it was not a coup attempt. 1% of the people were armed, at most? Did not know that Thaddeus works for the FBI/Secret Service or was at the capitol and did a weapon check of everyone who was involved. Let's just say he is right, 1% of 3000 people is 30, does he know how many people can be killed by 30 weapons, some assault weapons, pipe bombs and Molotov cocktails.
Just because you can yell the loudest does not make you right. Stop talking shit that you know nothing about!
Hang in Bob, the truth wins, it can just take time!
Regards,
Scott Welch
Scott Welch Management
________________________________________
Couldn't agree with you more. The Benghazi Hearings went on for four years, four years! This guy has crossed every boundary- every line including sedition, defacing our capital, making money off of Covid, killing 365,000 people, blowing the vaccine roll out. He is buried the economy. And of course the republicans want us to MoveOn. And what ? Forget the most corrupt, worst president ever? In 2008 we moved on from the corporations burying the economy. No one went to jail. That gave us Trump.
I want to put your stuff out everywhere. I am locked and loaded. Figuratively, and literally. I cannot believe how angry I am and how much they have debased our country. Fuck em . As I said to one of my Trump friends, if Obama had done this, I would be just as angry and want to do all I could to make sure he was prosecuted. Why the hell don't you feel that way? If it was Obama -you would be calling for his head. His answer; that's different. They are two-faced liars. Thanks for your inspiration- you're right on -let's all stay strong. Next time you're in the store and someone's not wearing a mask, let's all get on them and yell at them . We all grumble to ourselves as one or two assholes walks in proudly without a mask. We need to turn on all of them. There are more of us- they have awakened the sleeping giant.
Peter O'Fallon
________________________________________
Here's a pop quiz... Of the last 20 appointments to the Supreme Court, how many have been made by Republican Presidents and how many by Democrats? If you guessed 16 by Republicans, you'd be correct! So the question is, how could the Pubs possibly justify whining about not getting enough appointments? Because facts are irrelevant!
Nixon - 4
Carter - 0
Ford - 1
Reagan - 4
George H Bush - 2
Clinton - 2
George W Bush - 2
Obama - 2
Trump - 3
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_justices_of_the_Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States
rkirkbright
________________________________________
It can't be said enough:
Free speech doctrine does not legally apply to privately-owned platforms. (Read it again, dummies on the right. Or ask an adult to read it to you.)
You can write "You're commies! Whatever that means! I've heard it said elsewhere!" to the New York Times all you want. Write them 100 letters. Send them 1,000 emails. They are not legally mandated to publish it. Same goes for Twitter and Facebook.
Public comment at your local town hall? They (by law) have to give you time for your say. (For an entertaining example, YouTube "The Party Bros.")
May we never forget both big tech platforms waited until there was a body count at the Capitol to make a move against the ad-money-faucet of misinformation, sexism, and racism that Donkey Trump reveled in. Big Tech knows that even with the gameshow host gone, that hydra has plenty of other profitable heads.
S. Roads
Boston MA
PS. Big tech still has all of our data and will continue to print money selling it.
PSS. If you think for whatever reason they don't have YOUR data, you're wrong. They do.
________________________________________
In Australia, our left have a long term view and that is controlled through the union movement which is the primary funding mechanism for the labour Party ( our democrats). Our right may have a long term view but it's hard to see.
Its fascinating to watch the US from here. It's a complex very divided society.
How you get to the middle.
1) Pay wages that allow people to live.
2) Fix your medical system - easy - we pay 1.75% of our incomes to "Medicare" our socially provided healthcare system- and that provides comprehensive basic health cover for all - independent of incomes/wealth. Many have private cover in addition which is to ensure the top private doctors/private hospitals etc (what wealth can buy)
3) Provide paid sick and Carers leave - people can afford to stay at home when not well
4) Provide proper holiday pay - allow people to live like humans.
5) Free education for all children.
Many more suggestions, but this is what we have in "socialist Australia"
We have no violence, not guns no murders low violent crime.
Good luck for the next few weeks - it will be interesting.
Mark Michalowsky
________________________________________
I lost my mother in Iowa in early September. And then I lost my relationship with my sister who - in defiance of my mother's wishes - demanded a service at the funeral home, which of course refused to require masks in their building. The vitriol I experienced while back "home" tending to my mother in her last days was staggering and entirely inexplicable. My mother was incredibly proud of my work (for the WA Atty Gen) but was too afraid to tell people that we were suing Dejoy for intentionally crippling the usps in advance of the election (back in the day - 2017 - my friend and WA state solicitor general Noah Purcell argued the travel ban in the 9th circuit. It was his work shut down the ban nationwide - go Noah) Silly me I thought, regardless of party, who could possibly oppose defending the postal service against these attacks? Well, it became clear that it absolutely did not matter what I said or what positions I took - I was merely the liberal enemy from Seattle. It was confusing. It was disorienting. People responded to simple questions with such hatred - and you could tell that they themselves were unable to explain why they were reacting the way they were. They were just as confused by their responses as I was. It sucks. It all just sucks.
And I've been told I need to listen to those folks because they're hurting. And that's exactly what I did for nearly four years - patiently listening to my family spew unhinged nonsense, hoping to draw out their underlying concerns and interests. As you know - It's foolish; that is an entirely foolish "strategy". The just want to hate and blame someone for their problems. That's it. That's all of it. Fuck Hillbilly Elegy. It's just simple spite and hatred. Nothing more.
So thank you, Bob, for keeping the lights of hope on for me this year, especially. It has helped me persevere knowing that not everyone has been fiendishly deluded.
Sincerely,
Mark Melroy
Seattle, WA
________________________________________
My opinion is: The issue with Taylor Swift, Trump and many others (Ed Sheeran, Travis Scott, Ellen, Bieber, Elon Musk) is, they are not grounded as individuals, and they don't know how the middle class or the lower class people live; they don't care, and they are not raising a family of their own (or never had to in Trump/Elon case).
They've never put themselves second or third, they've never set their egos aside. When you're successful, when you don't have to work a job (or multiple) at minimum wage to make ends meet, when you've never been oppressed as an individual, or lived in a poor or war ridden country, you lose touch of reality, of why you're doing what you do in the first place.
To the successful whiners; Be happy that you get to do what you love everyday, be thankful that you have an audience (and money that comes with it), and stop whining about your problems; we all have them, but we don't all get to cry in our mansions when we have a bad day.
tepnomusic
________________________________________
At least you have the balls to post under your own name. Anonymity on the internet is a scourge and disease. As the former CEO of a large message board network who has had his share of death threats (FBI involved, solved) for simple things like having the courage to make minor rule changes to the platform, I can't imagine what is happening to Twitter and other platform staff right now. At least they are WFH these days. But that doesn't mean they can't be doxed or swatted.
What needs to and probably will never happen is real ID for all online activity. Remove anonymity, improve the world. Without any impact on free speech - if you want to talk you can, you just can't do it from behind a pseudonym. Kind of like speakers corner, Hyde Park, London. Imagine how much better we'd all be if everyone had to use their real name online. THAT would bring back the good 'ole small town days of the internet where, as they say on Cheers, 'Everyone Knows Your Name'.
Keep up the great work and don't let the bastards get you down.
Rob Labatt
________________________________________
Always thrilling to discover how many assholes read you.
I found out this AM… maybe some grist for you here..
Nobody joins a cult. They just forget to leave. How do you get them to leave?
https://www.headbutler.com/reviews/nobody-joins-a-cult-they-just-forget-to-leave-how-do-you-get-them-to-leave/
Jesse Kornbluth
________________________________________
It's interesting to see the blowback against your almost uniformly intelligent rants.
After all, you told us months ago EXACTLY how far Trump would take it if he lost (including inciting violence) and people criticized you for exaggerating.
Mostly, what I read here are 3 kinds of forces in motion.
First, the false equivalency. This sleight of hand confuses a lot of people. You can see it in a lot of the comments.
Second, ignorance of history. People minimize the danger because they have no context for events and they underestimate just how bad things can get - fast. They think that even if they are (literally) ignorant ( not stupid), they are still entitled to a point of view on a topic. Which is ridiculous. If you don't know enough, you can't speak intelligently about an event. You can only react emotionally and then rationalize that somehow your feeling makes you right.
Third, excuse-me thinking. The fact that the rioters and seditionists think they did the right thing doesn't make it right! It stuns me how often I hear this. This is actually crazy. Not one of the people who agree with this would say that it was OK if someone tried to murder them, because the murderer thought they were doing the right thing.
That's what you're up against.
John Parikhal
________________________________________
Is it only lawyers that understand the "screaming fire in a crowded theater" "exception" to the First Amendment?
The broadcasters have to adhere to "standards and practices" under FCC guidelines.
Perhaps Rupert has given so much $ to both parties that he and FOX News have gotten a free pass from the FCC for airing an almost constant and unchecked stream of lies since the network's inception. The other three have been called on the carpet for the slightest infraction -ie - Dan Rather and the Westmoreland libel suit in the mid 1980's; the The Killian documents/George W. Bush 60 Minutes controversy...
What if Fox News was forced to adhere to the same standards and practices as CBS/NBC and ABC?
What if all of the cable channels had to (with the sex exception for cable since THAT would definitely cause a revolution)?
And what of those same "standards and practices" were applied to the ISP's (who ultimately have more power than FB, Twitter, Google combined) so that the ISP's would be the gatekeepers preventing child porno, extreme violence, propaganda from all political persuasions, terrorist recruitment sites, lies, insanity, etc, etc?
IS that TOO "BIG BROTHER" or is it just the most effective modern tech way of preventing the endless screaming of "Fire in a crowded theater"?
George Gilbert
Attorney At Law
________________________________________
You don't know me but ask around, I've still got cred and a rep- what did you expect to happen when you spoke the truth? That suddenly the willfully ignorant would see the light? truth terrifies people because it demands that they examine and measure. Critical thinking is dead and has been replaced by propaganda of which the right wing is the biggest consumer and purveyor of.
After a lifetime in the biz both on radio and as an A&R exec at a handful of majors, I am now a high school teacher in a small Indiana town- go figure. What I have painfully observed is that there is ignorance which can be remedied with knowledge. Then there is willful ignorance for which there is no remedy. I have now concluded that there is a third state- defiant ignorance which is very dangerous and upon us...keep writing...keep shining the light.
Jovan (John) Mrvos
________________________________________
Not a big leap to see how 70+ million people came to idolize an illiterate conman. Millions of Americans graduate high school and college without mastering the most elementary basics, as evidenced here in these letters to you. Literacy is crucial to critical thinking -- both in very short supply the last five years.
Deb Wilker
Loved this piece of blowback "The smartest thing for Biden to do is to pardon Trump, put all this wasted energy behind us, and move forward with trying to unify the people.
Reminded me of George Carlin's "I just want to put this thing behind me and get on with my life"
https://youtu.be/H0YSlxUaESg?t=660
Keep on kicking
Anthony Gimel
________________________________________
Seems it's time for your readers to again contemplate the Paradox of tolerance, as posed by Karl Popper in 1945 in The Open Society and Its Enemies,
"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them.?—?In this formulation, I do not imply, for instance, that we should always suppress the utterance of intolerant philosophies; as long as we can counter them by rational argument and keep them in check by public opinion, suppression would certainly be unwise. But we should claim the right to suppress them if necessary even by force; for it may easily turn out that they are not prepared to meet us on the level of rational argument, but begin by denouncing all argument; they may forbid their followers to listen to rational argument, because it is deceptive, and teach them to answer arguments by the use of their fists or pistols. We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant"
Stu Walker
________________________________________
Thanks for the master class on whataboutism, deflection, and denial. And when a private company decides who can use its services it's not censorship. As one wit put it, think of Twitter as a Christian baker and Trump as a gay wedding cake. America the beautiful.
George Laugelli
________________________________________
It's pretty simple - do you care about others in society beyond your loved ones or not? Be honest with yourself. All this defensiveness, and denial. We know the history here. There are only two sides to decency. We must stop listening to the people who don't care and are too much up in their ego to ever admit they were wrong.
My aunt was a German girl living outside Bergen Belsen. She knew, but she never admitted she was sorry. She always said she couldn't do anything because her family was hungry. We don't know what we would have done in her position, but we know what we can do now. There is a line. We all have to stop listening to those who won't even acknowledge the line.
Thanks for enduring the slings.
Johanna
________________________________________
As a concert promoter, I learned the ticket price wasn't high enough if nobody complained about it.
Before I promoted shows, I spent 25 years in the newspaper business. As a sports editor, the overwhelming majority of letters I got were from those complaining about coverage.
The point is - I was amazed to see that you have 3 or 4 responses supporting you here. The others are predictable negative responses. People, by nature, don't bother to write about it unless they disagree or object. For every pissed off reader, you probably have a dozen or more who agree with you and don't feel compelled to write about it.
Brian Martin
________________________________________
This is what we have become, a bunch of uneducated people who make big pronouncements without any facts to back them up. Your complainers prove they are not interested in the truth if it contradicts their beliefs.
Maggie Curran- "There's absolutely no scientific evidence, using the scientific method, that masks prevent infection. None." Did not know Maggie was a scientist and practicing physician ? If you go into any operating room in America everyone is wearing a mask. A simple google search will give you numerous medical studies that prove otherwise.
Thaddeus Graham- "No, it was not a coup attempt. 1% of the people were armed, at most? Did not know that Thaddeus works for the FBI/Secret Service or was at the capitol and did a weapon check of everyone who was involved. Let's just say he is right, 1% of 3000 people is 30, does he know how many people can be killed by 30 weapons, some assault weapons, pipe bombs and Molotov cocktails.
Just because you can yell the loudest does not make you right. Stop talking shit that you know nothing about!
Hang in Bob, the truth wins, it can just take time!
Regards,
Scott Welch
Scott Welch Management
________________________________________
Couldn't agree with you more. The Benghazi Hearings went on for four years, four years! This guy has crossed every boundary- every line including sedition, defacing our capital, making money off of Covid, killing 365,000 people, blowing the vaccine roll out. He is buried the economy. And of course the republicans want us to MoveOn. And what ? Forget the most corrupt, worst president ever? In 2008 we moved on from the corporations burying the economy. No one went to jail. That gave us Trump.
I want to put your stuff out everywhere. I am locked and loaded. Figuratively, and literally. I cannot believe how angry I am and how much they have debased our country. Fuck em . As I said to one of my Trump friends, if Obama had done this, I would be just as angry and want to do all I could to make sure he was prosecuted. Why the hell don't you feel that way? If it was Obama -you would be calling for his head. His answer; that's different. They are two-faced liars. Thanks for your inspiration- you're right on -let's all stay strong. Next time you're in the store and someone's not wearing a mask, let's all get on them and yell at them . We all grumble to ourselves as one or two assholes walks in proudly without a mask. We need to turn on all of them. There are more of us- they have awakened the sleeping giant.
Peter O'Fallon
________________________________________
Here's a pop quiz... Of the last 20 appointments to the Supreme Court, how many have been made by Republican Presidents and how many by Democrats? If you guessed 16 by Republicans, you'd be correct! So the question is, how could the Pubs possibly justify whining about not getting enough appointments? Because facts are irrelevant!
Nixon - 4
Carter - 0
Ford - 1
Reagan - 4
George H Bush - 2
Clinton - 2
George W Bush - 2
Obama - 2
Trump - 3
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_justices_of_the_Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States
rkirkbright
________________________________________
It can't be said enough:
Free speech doctrine does not legally apply to privately-owned platforms. (Read it again, dummies on the right. Or ask an adult to read it to you.)
You can write "You're commies! Whatever that means! I've heard it said elsewhere!" to the New York Times all you want. Write them 100 letters. Send them 1,000 emails. They are not legally mandated to publish it. Same goes for Twitter and Facebook.
Public comment at your local town hall? They (by law) have to give you time for your say. (For an entertaining example, YouTube "The Party Bros.")
May we never forget both big tech platforms waited until there was a body count at the Capitol to make a move against the ad-money-faucet of misinformation, sexism, and racism that Donkey Trump reveled in. Big Tech knows that even with the gameshow host gone, that hydra has plenty of other profitable heads.
S. Roads
Boston MA
PS. Big tech still has all of our data and will continue to print money selling it.
PSS. If you think for whatever reason they don't have YOUR data, you're wrong. They do.
________________________________________
In Australia, our left have a long term view and that is controlled through the union movement which is the primary funding mechanism for the labour Party ( our democrats). Our right may have a long term view but it's hard to see.
Its fascinating to watch the US from here. It's a complex very divided society.
How you get to the middle.
1) Pay wages that allow people to live.
2) Fix your medical system - easy - we pay 1.75% of our incomes to "Medicare" our socially provided healthcare system- and that provides comprehensive basic health cover for all - independent of incomes/wealth. Many have private cover in addition which is to ensure the top private doctors/private hospitals etc (what wealth can buy)
3) Provide paid sick and Carers leave - people can afford to stay at home when not well
4) Provide proper holiday pay - allow people to live like humans.
5) Free education for all children.
Many more suggestions, but this is what we have in "socialist Australia"
We have no violence, not guns no murders low violent crime.
Good luck for the next few weeks - it will be interesting.
Mark Michalowsky
________________________________________
I lost my mother in Iowa in early September. And then I lost my relationship with my sister who - in defiance of my mother's wishes - demanded a service at the funeral home, which of course refused to require masks in their building. The vitriol I experienced while back "home" tending to my mother in her last days was staggering and entirely inexplicable. My mother was incredibly proud of my work (for the WA Atty Gen) but was too afraid to tell people that we were suing Dejoy for intentionally crippling the usps in advance of the election (back in the day - 2017 - my friend and WA state solicitor general Noah Purcell argued the travel ban in the 9th circuit. It was his work shut down the ban nationwide - go Noah) Silly me I thought, regardless of party, who could possibly oppose defending the postal service against these attacks? Well, it became clear that it absolutely did not matter what I said or what positions I took - I was merely the liberal enemy from Seattle. It was confusing. It was disorienting. People responded to simple questions with such hatred - and you could tell that they themselves were unable to explain why they were reacting the way they were. They were just as confused by their responses as I was. It sucks. It all just sucks.
And I've been told I need to listen to those folks because they're hurting. And that's exactly what I did for nearly four years - patiently listening to my family spew unhinged nonsense, hoping to draw out their underlying concerns and interests. As you know - It's foolish; that is an entirely foolish "strategy". The just want to hate and blame someone for their problems. That's it. That's all of it. Fuck Hillbilly Elegy. It's just simple spite and hatred. Nothing more.
So thank you, Bob, for keeping the lights of hope on for me this year, especially. It has helped me persevere knowing that not everyone has been fiendishly deluded.
Sincerely,
Mark Melroy
Seattle, WA
________________________________________
My opinion is: The issue with Taylor Swift, Trump and many others (Ed Sheeran, Travis Scott, Ellen, Bieber, Elon Musk) is, they are not grounded as individuals, and they don't know how the middle class or the lower class people live; they don't care, and they are not raising a family of their own (or never had to in Trump/Elon case).
They've never put themselves second or third, they've never set their egos aside. When you're successful, when you don't have to work a job (or multiple) at minimum wage to make ends meet, when you've never been oppressed as an individual, or lived in a poor or war ridden country, you lose touch of reality, of why you're doing what you do in the first place.
To the successful whiners; Be happy that you get to do what you love everyday, be thankful that you have an audience (and money that comes with it), and stop whining about your problems; we all have them, but we don't all get to cry in our mansions when we have a bad day.
tepnomusic
________________________________________
At least you have the balls to post under your own name. Anonymity on the internet is a scourge and disease. As the former CEO of a large message board network who has had his share of death threats (FBI involved, solved) for simple things like having the courage to make minor rule changes to the platform, I can't imagine what is happening to Twitter and other platform staff right now. At least they are WFH these days. But that doesn't mean they can't be doxed or swatted.
What needs to and probably will never happen is real ID for all online activity. Remove anonymity, improve the world. Without any impact on free speech - if you want to talk you can, you just can't do it from behind a pseudonym. Kind of like speakers corner, Hyde Park, London. Imagine how much better we'd all be if everyone had to use their real name online. THAT would bring back the good 'ole small town days of the internet where, as they say on Cheers, 'Everyone Knows Your Name'.
Keep up the great work and don't let the bastards get you down.
Rob Labatt
________________________________________
Always thrilling to discover how many assholes read you.
I found out this AM… maybe some grist for you here..
Nobody joins a cult. They just forget to leave. How do you get them to leave?
https://www.headbutler.com/reviews/nobody-joins-a-cult-they-just-forget-to-leave-how-do-you-get-them-to-leave/
Jesse Kornbluth
________________________________________
It's interesting to see the blowback against your almost uniformly intelligent rants.
After all, you told us months ago EXACTLY how far Trump would take it if he lost (including inciting violence) and people criticized you for exaggerating.
Mostly, what I read here are 3 kinds of forces in motion.
First, the false equivalency. This sleight of hand confuses a lot of people. You can see it in a lot of the comments.
Second, ignorance of history. People minimize the danger because they have no context for events and they underestimate just how bad things can get - fast. They think that even if they are (literally) ignorant ( not stupid), they are still entitled to a point of view on a topic. Which is ridiculous. If you don't know enough, you can't speak intelligently about an event. You can only react emotionally and then rationalize that somehow your feeling makes you right.
Third, excuse-me thinking. The fact that the rioters and seditionists think they did the right thing doesn't make it right! It stuns me how often I hear this. This is actually crazy. Not one of the people who agree with this would say that it was OK if someone tried to murder them, because the murderer thought they were doing the right thing.
That's what you're up against.
John Parikhal
________________________________________
Is it only lawyers that understand the "screaming fire in a crowded theater" "exception" to the First Amendment?
The broadcasters have to adhere to "standards and practices" under FCC guidelines.
Perhaps Rupert has given so much $ to both parties that he and FOX News have gotten a free pass from the FCC for airing an almost constant and unchecked stream of lies since the network's inception. The other three have been called on the carpet for the slightest infraction -ie - Dan Rather and the Westmoreland libel suit in the mid 1980's; the The Killian documents/George W. Bush 60 Minutes controversy...
What if Fox News was forced to adhere to the same standards and practices as CBS/NBC and ABC?
What if all of the cable channels had to (with the sex exception for cable since THAT would definitely cause a revolution)?
And what of those same "standards and practices" were applied to the ISP's (who ultimately have more power than FB, Twitter, Google combined) so that the ISP's would be the gatekeepers preventing child porno, extreme violence, propaganda from all political persuasions, terrorist recruitment sites, lies, insanity, etc, etc?
IS that TOO "BIG BROTHER" or is it just the most effective modern tech way of preventing the endless screaming of "Fire in a crowded theater"?
George Gilbert
Attorney At Law
________________________________________
You don't know me but ask around, I've still got cred and a rep- what did you expect to happen when you spoke the truth? That suddenly the willfully ignorant would see the light? truth terrifies people because it demands that they examine and measure. Critical thinking is dead and has been replaced by propaganda of which the right wing is the biggest consumer and purveyor of.
After a lifetime in the biz both on radio and as an A&R exec at a handful of majors, I am now a high school teacher in a small Indiana town- go figure. What I have painfully observed is that there is ignorance which can be remedied with knowledge. Then there is willful ignorance for which there is no remedy. I have now concluded that there is a third state- defiant ignorance which is very dangerous and upon us...keep writing...keep shining the light.
Jovan (John) Mrvos
________________________________________
Not a big leap to see how 70+ million people came to idolize an illiterate conman. Millions of Americans graduate high school and college without mastering the most elementary basics, as evidenced here in these letters to you. Literacy is crucial to critical thinking -- both in very short supply the last five years.
Deb Wilker
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Tuesday 12 January 2021
Blowback
They want you to shut up.
Have an opinion, post it online, and you will get blowback. Which scares most people away. Those of character ignore what is said and march on, the wimps tuck their tails and retreat.
Welcome to the twenty first century.
This affects all walks of life, all individuals. You've got Trump complaining and Taylor Swift writing songs about her haters. Instead, they should be congratulating themselves, THEY MADE IT!
Now for some people that is not enough. They believe that there's a higher sanctum, heaven here on earth, and if they just work hard enough they can enter. This is untrue. We're all human. We live and we die, can you say SHELDON ADELSON!
So now the Democrats are afraid. For the first time in four years they're not only complaining, they're taking action, and what they're getting is BLOWBACK! So, too many are blinking. The right is organized, there's only one true way according to them. Whereas contrary to the right's screeds, Democrats are more chiaroscuro. Enough with the false equivalencies. Whenever the right is criticized, it says BUT THE LEFT DOES IT TOO!
WRONG!
But the left has a laissez-faire attitude to the game. It only shows up infrequently, it doesn't fight hard, whereas the right is playing the game every damn day, can you say FEDERALIST SOCIETY! Yes, pissed about the makeup of the judiciary, the Republicans organized decades ago, and the head of this society essentially dictated to Trump which judges to appoint. We don't have concomitant infrastructure on the left.
As for the newspapers...THEY WON'T SAVE YOU!
There's this fiction that if the news is reported, right will win. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially in this cacophonous landscape where it's impossible to reach everybody with your message. There must be action. I'm not saying violence, but I am saying it is the people and their elected officials' responsibility to move the ball forward, to enact change, the newspapers just report, that's it.
So what you've got is a lot of namby-pamby people with an audience. Entertainers who are afraid of pissing off a potential customer. Hate to tell you, there are 300+ million people in America, and you can get away with offending many and still have a huge career. Actually, I'll posit the more you've got an edge, the more successful you are!
And, if someone gets caught in the net, people and institutions abandon them. Can you say KATHY GRIFFIN! You'd think she'd plotted an assassination attempt when the truth is she's a comedian who was doing social commentary. But the right organized, just like it did with the Brooks Brothers Riot back in 2000, and the left caved, the left was AFRAID OF DEFENDING GRIFFIN!
Yes, the left will allow you to cross lines, even touch the third rail, but forget about them reaching out and saving you. They've got lame excuses. Their business, their relatives, they can't upset the apple cart.
And then you've got lionized nitwits like Sheryl Sandberg...who said Facebook had nothing to do with last Wednesday's actions? She should be forced to quit after that statement. These are the words that hurt the left's cause. That's right, Sheryl is a Democrat, but not when it comes to business, Facebook, then she's independent, nonpolitical, HUH?
Life is long and history is written years later. What is lauded today is excoriated tomorrow...and vice versa.
Our nation has a crisis of character. No one is concerned with doing the right thing. Why should the proletariat be honest when these elected officials and business people are not? And if you make money, you get a pass, no matter what you've said or done. Is that truly how we should judge entertainers, by how much money they've made? But you see the charts every week in the paper, the grosses, message and impact are out the window.
But some people are taking a stand. Astoundingly, Bill Belichick, who just needed to do what was right in his heart. We need more people to stand up.
And, once again, if you do, you're going to get slings and arrows. I hate to give the other side ink, but I'm going to give you some of what is in my inbox. Once again, their goal is to shut me up. Not that I only get this about politics. They want me to be afraid of losing my customer base. But if you're not willing to sacrifice everything, you're worth nothing, get out of the way so those willing to lay it on the line can make headway.
________________________________________
________________________________________
Your e-mail "The Insurrection" was a fine piece of writing, some of the best I have read from you.
It appears that your moments of clarity have since disappeared, and you seem to have become unhinged as much as Nancy Pelosi.While you are gathering up any Republicans in the House to burn at the stake for not wearing masks, you might want to also gather up any Democrats who have been ignoring the masks. Might as well throw Gavin Newsom in there too.
Terry Watson
Manhattan Beach
________________________________________
Why not just round up all of the Republicans and put them in concentration camps and gas them?
I'm unsubscribing to this idiocy.
I hope you come around to your senses.
Regards,
Bob Paterno
________________________________________
Going to war with the right would not produce a winner. If you think they're mobilized now… The FCC should have the overarching role here.
Britt Benston
________________________________________
Bob, you don't get it. Trump is a terrible politician and on that political stage an ass. I don't know Trump personally, but those that have met him, even the late night talk show hosts, say, in person, that Trump is personable and a nice hang. Go figure.
Roughly half the population supports some of his policies over some of the policies of Biden. You just can't vilify half the population or promote what many see, on both sides of the spectrum, as a double standard or hypocrisy. Trump is out, forget about him. Talk of impeachment and speaking his name negatively just inflames his supporters. The more "unfair" treatment Trump receives the more the schism widens...and the more the right will take from the left's playbook of this summer.
The smartest thing for Biden to do is to pardon Trump, put all this wasted energy behind us, and move forward with trying to unify the people.
Bob, don't contribute to the negative; contribute to positive reinforcement.
Matthew Grandi
________________________________________
China, Cuba, Venezuela.......The template of the "tolerant" left. Elections are now predetermined with machines being manipulated. Good luck, I'm out.
marc ellis
________________________________________
Isn't big tech censorship making a terrible (even fascist) precedent here?
Doug Van Pelt
________________________________________
If this is your reaction to the events of the past week, then you have definitely become a large part of the very serious problem that we all are facing today. Such sentiments can only accelerate the death spiral. Please... take a breath, get a grip.
Mark Terry
________________________________________
Shut up !
Carla Horvath
________________________________________
Yes, things have gone too far, but
1. There's absolutely no scientific evidence, using the scientific method, that masks prevent infection. None.
2. You're advocating censorship. So, when the other party is in charge they'll be able to censir us back. Is that smart?
3. We have laws and failed to use them to good effect. The answer isn't to further erode our democracy by taking away more civil rights.
You've gone off the deep end.
Maggie Curran
________________________________________
Now who's inciting?
Bob G
________________________________________
Why do you want Trump impeached and punished so severely?
I have never heard you speak out with such outrage over the criminal activities of the Clintons or even the Bush's
William
________________________________________
Bob, you're out of your mind.
YOU ARE TALKING JUST LIKE TRUMP, EXCEPT FROM THE DEMOCRAT VIEW. Your recent rants are coming off just as crazy and unhinged as he does. You just can't see it because you're writing it.
Last I heard, this was still a free country where all the citizens have a voice. You want to stop any and all talking-heads that cater to the half of the country that sees things a little differently than you do? What kind of chickenshit attitude is that?
People already have the right to not watch Fox if they don't want to. But you want to totally remove it, or make people pay for it. Well, what about CNN and MSNBC? Shouldn't they get the same treatment then? Why should THEY get a free ride when there are just as many people in the country that think THEY are full of crap and should be silenced? Fair is fair!
Try keeping in mind that the Right has just as many "sources" that prove the Left is crazy as the Left does about the Right. We're apparently all crazy, and literally EVERYONE is out to destroy the country. So what else is new?
We'd probably be better off without ANY social media. Because it gives literally everyone, including those who are off their rockers, a voice. That's what we gotta live with. God help us all.
Mike
________________________________________
Your Lame, you should have stuck to the music! I Don't need your politics!
David
________________________________________
Seriously Bob!?! You want to censor Fox News and other conservative groups off the networks because you don't like what they have to say. Explain to me how this isn't what the Chinese do to their news outlets. How do you justify this behavior?
Being part of the media you off all people should be outraged by the censorship that is taking place. Politics aside, this is a dangerous and slippery slope. If the power shifts to the Right, should they censor you from existence because your rhetoric insights thoughts against the prevailing party?
What happened to a country that allows debate and discussion? Should this only be allowed for groups of people that have the same thoughts and ideas.
You really should be ashamed of this posting. Inclusion is not only about including only like minded people. What you are proposing is thought extermination.
Will Woolman
________________________________________
Sadly you sound like the lefts version of the assholes that stormed the capitol. Lift people up, don't shut them up or shut them down.
Bill May
________________________________________
Why not just send them to the gas chambers and be done with the smelly peasants? Do you even realize what you sound like? And you wonder why "they" act like they are saving democracy. This is just sick, Bob. It is persecuting people who have different beliefs than you. Next you will go after black people or selected religions. Silencing diversity of thought is communist. You have become what you rail against. Now is the time to get aggressive? Really? Than you should be fine with the Capitol debacle, you have justified it. Shame people like the witch trials? Deprive people of an existence, like McCartyism? I'm sorry you have so much hate in your heart, so much sanctimonious intolerance. People leave the Democrat party and turn to the Republican Party because of people like you and declarations such as the ones you have made. I hope you give my feedback some thought.
Sheryl Jordon
________________________________________
Your political view is sooo wrong. You've been brainwashed over the years Bob and now it has really got you way off track. That and your hatred for Trump has now made it crystal clear.
Your music related views are really interesting and entertaining. BUT, your political views are horrible! And now you want all Republican/conservative views taken off the radio and tv airwaves ? Hey bob, that's the way a true Marxist thinks.
This is America!!!! Wake up and look at both sides of the coin Mike Mitchell Lafayette,La
Mike Mitchell
________________________________________
You've snapped.
tjlambert
________________________________________
Bob, Bob, Bob, all you are doing with all this divisive language is riling up the opposition. Thought we were trying to find common ground. Piss off 74,000,000 citizens at your own peril.
rpeters
________________________________________
I love that big tech is denying free speech and all you know is orange man bad. Just pathetic
thomas ryan
________________________________________
Bob...are ALL the lies Republican lies? Do the Democrats ever misrepresent? How can you think anyone with a different perspective would listen to you when you present the issues here as Truth vs False Black and White...the world is gray and I rarely agree with your political pieces but continue to digest them to hopefully stay balanced which is what we're totally missing in this country right now. Take a position and Force Feed it to whoever disagrees as long as you have the power. That has been the Democrat playbook for years....The Republicans haven't been in a presidential position in quite a few of the last administrations....yet I'm pretty sure Mr Clinton (who I actually voted for in his second try cause the economy was thriving)....He lied about everything all the time!
Nuff Said From Me
Clint
________________________________________
Wow
A man whose notoriety is largely due to sending out an opinion newsletter calling for censorship of views he doesn't agree with.
Im struggling to understand how the entire left came to this conclusion after the capitol dust up.
No, it was not a coup attempt. 1% of the people were armed, at most?
Not how you overthrow the US government...
regards
Thaddeus Graham
________________________________________
I'm with you - and calling out my insane right-wing family members. No more civility - I am making them tell me whether Trump is responsible.
They DON"T BELIEVE IT WAS AN INSURRECTION.
They don't believe it was a truly dangerous and horrifying situation.
They think it was "clowns" and that Trump is only guilty of a "POOR CHOICE OF WORDS."
My brother dismissed the words "coup" outright.
They watch Fox News and get their news from The Daily Caller and the dumb shit that their friends from high school post on Facebook. They don't listen to The Daily and won't watch clips that I send to them or entertain any factual corrections.
"My riot callous was formed over the summer during BLM. ... I'm tired of the media always lying," is what he said.
GAAHHHHHH!!!
Colleen Kenny LaRocque
________________________________________
Thank you Bob.
I've spent my entire conscious political life being bullied by Republicans, and to be honest, also the centrists that placate them so as not to disturb the status quo. When I was a teen, I was "just a kid," and anything I thought about politics was "idealist" and because "I'd never held a job and paid taxes." Later, in my 20s and even 30s, it was that I worked in the arts. I'd never "served!" How could I possibly know the plight of real Americans or the "Troops" or the "Police" or whoever else was a toxic male that they could fold into a nameless mass to use against me?
Now I'm in my 40s, hold a great job in the arts and pay a cubic fuckton of taxes. All of my feelings are the same. Republicans are morally depraved hypocrites and progressive policies are our only hope. Isn't that abundantly clear now? Can I jump up and down on the corner and scream, "I was right you fucking assholes!!!"
That's what I expect of the Dems. Healing my ass. Crush those bastards. They've always been this way but they just seriously overplayed their hand. Steamroll them.
Glad you feel that way too.
Best,
Bill Carbone
________________________________________
if you look at history, you know what usually comes after a failed coup attempt? a successful one.
this is far from over. there is a big push by republicans on social media right now to distract. It is a tool of fascism. Distract. Play the victim because of twitter and Melania is getting bullied and other bs because a COUP attempt just happened.
Another one is on the way...
Michael Barber
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Have an opinion, post it online, and you will get blowback. Which scares most people away. Those of character ignore what is said and march on, the wimps tuck their tails and retreat.
Welcome to the twenty first century.
This affects all walks of life, all individuals. You've got Trump complaining and Taylor Swift writing songs about her haters. Instead, they should be congratulating themselves, THEY MADE IT!
Now for some people that is not enough. They believe that there's a higher sanctum, heaven here on earth, and if they just work hard enough they can enter. This is untrue. We're all human. We live and we die, can you say SHELDON ADELSON!
So now the Democrats are afraid. For the first time in four years they're not only complaining, they're taking action, and what they're getting is BLOWBACK! So, too many are blinking. The right is organized, there's only one true way according to them. Whereas contrary to the right's screeds, Democrats are more chiaroscuro. Enough with the false equivalencies. Whenever the right is criticized, it says BUT THE LEFT DOES IT TOO!
WRONG!
But the left has a laissez-faire attitude to the game. It only shows up infrequently, it doesn't fight hard, whereas the right is playing the game every damn day, can you say FEDERALIST SOCIETY! Yes, pissed about the makeup of the judiciary, the Republicans organized decades ago, and the head of this society essentially dictated to Trump which judges to appoint. We don't have concomitant infrastructure on the left.
As for the newspapers...THEY WON'T SAVE YOU!
There's this fiction that if the news is reported, right will win. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially in this cacophonous landscape where it's impossible to reach everybody with your message. There must be action. I'm not saying violence, but I am saying it is the people and their elected officials' responsibility to move the ball forward, to enact change, the newspapers just report, that's it.
So what you've got is a lot of namby-pamby people with an audience. Entertainers who are afraid of pissing off a potential customer. Hate to tell you, there are 300+ million people in America, and you can get away with offending many and still have a huge career. Actually, I'll posit the more you've got an edge, the more successful you are!
And, if someone gets caught in the net, people and institutions abandon them. Can you say KATHY GRIFFIN! You'd think she'd plotted an assassination attempt when the truth is she's a comedian who was doing social commentary. But the right organized, just like it did with the Brooks Brothers Riot back in 2000, and the left caved, the left was AFRAID OF DEFENDING GRIFFIN!
Yes, the left will allow you to cross lines, even touch the third rail, but forget about them reaching out and saving you. They've got lame excuses. Their business, their relatives, they can't upset the apple cart.
And then you've got lionized nitwits like Sheryl Sandberg...who said Facebook had nothing to do with last Wednesday's actions? She should be forced to quit after that statement. These are the words that hurt the left's cause. That's right, Sheryl is a Democrat, but not when it comes to business, Facebook, then she's independent, nonpolitical, HUH?
Life is long and history is written years later. What is lauded today is excoriated tomorrow...and vice versa.
Our nation has a crisis of character. No one is concerned with doing the right thing. Why should the proletariat be honest when these elected officials and business people are not? And if you make money, you get a pass, no matter what you've said or done. Is that truly how we should judge entertainers, by how much money they've made? But you see the charts every week in the paper, the grosses, message and impact are out the window.
But some people are taking a stand. Astoundingly, Bill Belichick, who just needed to do what was right in his heart. We need more people to stand up.
And, once again, if you do, you're going to get slings and arrows. I hate to give the other side ink, but I'm going to give you some of what is in my inbox. Once again, their goal is to shut me up. Not that I only get this about politics. They want me to be afraid of losing my customer base. But if you're not willing to sacrifice everything, you're worth nothing, get out of the way so those willing to lay it on the line can make headway.
________________________________________
________________________________________
Your e-mail "The Insurrection" was a fine piece of writing, some of the best I have read from you.
It appears that your moments of clarity have since disappeared, and you seem to have become unhinged as much as Nancy Pelosi.While you are gathering up any Republicans in the House to burn at the stake for not wearing masks, you might want to also gather up any Democrats who have been ignoring the masks. Might as well throw Gavin Newsom in there too.
Terry Watson
Manhattan Beach
________________________________________
Why not just round up all of the Republicans and put them in concentration camps and gas them?
I'm unsubscribing to this idiocy.
I hope you come around to your senses.
Regards,
Bob Paterno
________________________________________
Going to war with the right would not produce a winner. If you think they're mobilized now… The FCC should have the overarching role here.
Britt Benston
________________________________________
Bob, you don't get it. Trump is a terrible politician and on that political stage an ass. I don't know Trump personally, but those that have met him, even the late night talk show hosts, say, in person, that Trump is personable and a nice hang. Go figure.
Roughly half the population supports some of his policies over some of the policies of Biden. You just can't vilify half the population or promote what many see, on both sides of the spectrum, as a double standard or hypocrisy. Trump is out, forget about him. Talk of impeachment and speaking his name negatively just inflames his supporters. The more "unfair" treatment Trump receives the more the schism widens...and the more the right will take from the left's playbook of this summer.
The smartest thing for Biden to do is to pardon Trump, put all this wasted energy behind us, and move forward with trying to unify the people.
Bob, don't contribute to the negative; contribute to positive reinforcement.
Matthew Grandi
________________________________________
China, Cuba, Venezuela.......The template of the "tolerant" left. Elections are now predetermined with machines being manipulated. Good luck, I'm out.
marc ellis
________________________________________
Isn't big tech censorship making a terrible (even fascist) precedent here?
Doug Van Pelt
________________________________________
If this is your reaction to the events of the past week, then you have definitely become a large part of the very serious problem that we all are facing today. Such sentiments can only accelerate the death spiral. Please... take a breath, get a grip.
Mark Terry
________________________________________
Shut up !
Carla Horvath
________________________________________
Yes, things have gone too far, but
1. There's absolutely no scientific evidence, using the scientific method, that masks prevent infection. None.
2. You're advocating censorship. So, when the other party is in charge they'll be able to censir us back. Is that smart?
3. We have laws and failed to use them to good effect. The answer isn't to further erode our democracy by taking away more civil rights.
You've gone off the deep end.
Maggie Curran
________________________________________
Now who's inciting?
Bob G
________________________________________
Why do you want Trump impeached and punished so severely?
I have never heard you speak out with such outrage over the criminal activities of the Clintons or even the Bush's
William
________________________________________
Bob, you're out of your mind.
YOU ARE TALKING JUST LIKE TRUMP, EXCEPT FROM THE DEMOCRAT VIEW. Your recent rants are coming off just as crazy and unhinged as he does. You just can't see it because you're writing it.
Last I heard, this was still a free country where all the citizens have a voice. You want to stop any and all talking-heads that cater to the half of the country that sees things a little differently than you do? What kind of chickenshit attitude is that?
People already have the right to not watch Fox if they don't want to. But you want to totally remove it, or make people pay for it. Well, what about CNN and MSNBC? Shouldn't they get the same treatment then? Why should THEY get a free ride when there are just as many people in the country that think THEY are full of crap and should be silenced? Fair is fair!
Try keeping in mind that the Right has just as many "sources" that prove the Left is crazy as the Left does about the Right. We're apparently all crazy, and literally EVERYONE is out to destroy the country. So what else is new?
We'd probably be better off without ANY social media. Because it gives literally everyone, including those who are off their rockers, a voice. That's what we gotta live with. God help us all.
Mike
________________________________________
Your Lame, you should have stuck to the music! I Don't need your politics!
David
________________________________________
Seriously Bob!?! You want to censor Fox News and other conservative groups off the networks because you don't like what they have to say. Explain to me how this isn't what the Chinese do to their news outlets. How do you justify this behavior?
Being part of the media you off all people should be outraged by the censorship that is taking place. Politics aside, this is a dangerous and slippery slope. If the power shifts to the Right, should they censor you from existence because your rhetoric insights thoughts against the prevailing party?
What happened to a country that allows debate and discussion? Should this only be allowed for groups of people that have the same thoughts and ideas.
You really should be ashamed of this posting. Inclusion is not only about including only like minded people. What you are proposing is thought extermination.
Will Woolman
________________________________________
Sadly you sound like the lefts version of the assholes that stormed the capitol. Lift people up, don't shut them up or shut them down.
Bill May
________________________________________
Why not just send them to the gas chambers and be done with the smelly peasants? Do you even realize what you sound like? And you wonder why "they" act like they are saving democracy. This is just sick, Bob. It is persecuting people who have different beliefs than you. Next you will go after black people or selected religions. Silencing diversity of thought is communist. You have become what you rail against. Now is the time to get aggressive? Really? Than you should be fine with the Capitol debacle, you have justified it. Shame people like the witch trials? Deprive people of an existence, like McCartyism? I'm sorry you have so much hate in your heart, so much sanctimonious intolerance. People leave the Democrat party and turn to the Republican Party because of people like you and declarations such as the ones you have made. I hope you give my feedback some thought.
Sheryl Jordon
________________________________________
Your political view is sooo wrong. You've been brainwashed over the years Bob and now it has really got you way off track. That and your hatred for Trump has now made it crystal clear.
Your music related views are really interesting and entertaining. BUT, your political views are horrible! And now you want all Republican/conservative views taken off the radio and tv airwaves ? Hey bob, that's the way a true Marxist thinks.
This is America!!!! Wake up and look at both sides of the coin Mike Mitchell Lafayette,La
Mike Mitchell
________________________________________
You've snapped.
tjlambert
________________________________________
Bob, Bob, Bob, all you are doing with all this divisive language is riling up the opposition. Thought we were trying to find common ground. Piss off 74,000,000 citizens at your own peril.
rpeters
________________________________________
I love that big tech is denying free speech and all you know is orange man bad. Just pathetic
thomas ryan
________________________________________
Bob...are ALL the lies Republican lies? Do the Democrats ever misrepresent? How can you think anyone with a different perspective would listen to you when you present the issues here as Truth vs False Black and White...the world is gray and I rarely agree with your political pieces but continue to digest them to hopefully stay balanced which is what we're totally missing in this country right now. Take a position and Force Feed it to whoever disagrees as long as you have the power. That has been the Democrat playbook for years....The Republicans haven't been in a presidential position in quite a few of the last administrations....yet I'm pretty sure Mr Clinton (who I actually voted for in his second try cause the economy was thriving)....He lied about everything all the time!
Nuff Said From Me
Clint
________________________________________
Wow
A man whose notoriety is largely due to sending out an opinion newsletter calling for censorship of views he doesn't agree with.
Im struggling to understand how the entire left came to this conclusion after the capitol dust up.
No, it was not a coup attempt. 1% of the people were armed, at most?
Not how you overthrow the US government...
regards
Thaddeus Graham
________________________________________
I'm with you - and calling out my insane right-wing family members. No more civility - I am making them tell me whether Trump is responsible.
They DON"T BELIEVE IT WAS AN INSURRECTION.
They don't believe it was a truly dangerous and horrifying situation.
They think it was "clowns" and that Trump is only guilty of a "POOR CHOICE OF WORDS."
My brother dismissed the words "coup" outright.
They watch Fox News and get their news from The Daily Caller and the dumb shit that their friends from high school post on Facebook. They don't listen to The Daily and won't watch clips that I send to them or entertain any factual corrections.
"My riot callous was formed over the summer during BLM. ... I'm tired of the media always lying," is what he said.
GAAHHHHHH!!!
Colleen Kenny LaRocque
________________________________________
Thank you Bob.
I've spent my entire conscious political life being bullied by Republicans, and to be honest, also the centrists that placate them so as not to disturb the status quo. When I was a teen, I was "just a kid," and anything I thought about politics was "idealist" and because "I'd never held a job and paid taxes." Later, in my 20s and even 30s, it was that I worked in the arts. I'd never "served!" How could I possibly know the plight of real Americans or the "Troops" or the "Police" or whoever else was a toxic male that they could fold into a nameless mass to use against me?
Now I'm in my 40s, hold a great job in the arts and pay a cubic fuckton of taxes. All of my feelings are the same. Republicans are morally depraved hypocrites and progressive policies are our only hope. Isn't that abundantly clear now? Can I jump up and down on the corner and scream, "I was right you fucking assholes!!!"
That's what I expect of the Dems. Healing my ass. Crush those bastards. They've always been this way but they just seriously overplayed their hand. Steamroll them.
Glad you feel that way too.
Best,
Bill Carbone
________________________________________
if you look at history, you know what usually comes after a failed coup attempt? a successful one.
this is far from over. there is a big push by republicans on social media right now to distract. It is a tool of fascism. Distract. Play the victim because of twitter and Melania is getting bullied and other bs because a COUP attempt just happened.
Another one is on the way...
Michael Barber
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Surf Songs-SiriusXM This Week
Tune in today, January 12th, to Volume 106, 7 PM East, 4 PM West.
Phone #: 844-6-VOLUME, 844-686-5863
Twitter: @lefsetz or @siriusxmvolume/#lefsetzlive
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Monday 11 January 2021
The Rock Camp Movie
https://www.rockcampthemovie.com
I couldn't turn it off.
Rock and roll is a religion. It' not taken seriously, but to a certain segment of society, it's everything.
We're not talking about people who go to the show to hear the hits, we're talking about people who know all the album tracks, who don't talk during the show because they're afraid they'll miss something.
And today's generation is...missing something, that is.
It's all we had.
That's hard to comprehend in 2021, where more stimulation, more entertainment than you could consume in multiple lifetimes, is at your fingertips. We were truly bored, we were not all connected, but the music got us through.
Now anybody successful is considered a rock star. But that's not the way it used to be. "Rock star" was a state of mind. A decision to go down the road less taken with no safety net, no backup plan. Most people turned back. Some burned out, some died, but then...there are the icons. Not only do we know their songs, we're convinced we know them, and if we could just get closer, we're dying to get closer.
Our last dying wish would be dinner with a rock star. We're loaded with questions. But most people never get the opportunity. But if you pay for Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp...you'll get the opportunity to hang with a musician or two who's a household name, and a bunch of supporting players, who might have portfolio, but you're unaware of it.
Summer camp...if you haven't been, I feel sorry for you. The rest of the world falls away, you form tight bonds and then it ends and you're depressed, you can't wait to go back, but another year has to pass. David Fishof has tried to recreate this experience. For those who can afford it. Which is not many. And it's also for players, and most people can't play, but if you've got the talent and the bread, if you want to participate, it could be a dream come true.
Not that the idea is not entirely ersatz.
David Fishof is a hustler. A teddy bear who knows how to make money. He repped athletes, and then he went into music, putting together Ringo's All Starr Band tour. And that's one of the most interesting arcs of the movie. How Fishof is a promoter, someone who makes something happen, out of nothing. People talk, but few do. Actually, few attempt. And the first camp, back in the nineties, was a financial disaster, but Fishof kept on. Very little is easy in this world, even though media tries to convince us we're one step away from stardom. No way. You've got to climb mountains, you've got to be parched and starve, you've got to be broke, and you have to be able to write a song as good as "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" and have the inspiration to put a bagpipe in the track. That's what separates the winners from the losers, the stars from the also-rans. Writing the songs. Anybody can follow in the footsteps, but can you blaze the trail? Few do.
So making a movie about the camp. Whose idea was this? I mean isn't it just a giant ad for the camp, quite a good one? Yes. But when they roll into the Fishof life story you start to roll your eyes, he's not a star. But he's the star of this movie.
Yes, about halfway through you realize...THEY'RE MAKING A REAL MOVIE! Most rock movies are not. Here the production values are a ten, and there's a story. But do we care about the story? NOT REALLY! We just want to see the stars, get closer to the music.
So, it dawns on the viewer that the producers are taking this seriously, I'm sure in the back of their minds they thought awards were possible. They're not. So, you've got an autistic kid. Sorry. But many do. How many have the money to send them to ANY KIND of camp? Very few. Which means the life stories don't really ring true. And they're somewhat artificial, especially when the drummer Pistol tells his story to his lined up family, it's awkward. But ultimately his tears are real.
I mean who is out of the loop?
Maybe youngsters, maybe hip-hop fans. But for the rest of us, this music is in our DNA. But it's fading into the past. Heroes die with barely a blip anymore. Len Barry? Gerry Marsden? Leslie West? Is it really tragic? No, it's sad. They lived long lives. Good for them. But their songs, their songs will live on forever...1-2-3!
So, the Fantasy Camp is basically merch, golden circle, access for the superfan. But the paid access you get at a show...is not really access, the acts punch the clock. But at the Fantasy Camp the musicians let down their hair, literally, and hang with you, you get to know them, what's the value of that...PRICELESS! It's kind of like baseball fantasy camps, but different. Baseball players are athletes, one-dimensional, stars, but...the musicians WROTE THESE SONGS, the message is key, and their lifestyle is one you'd like to emulate, as you pay attention to every word.
And there's no doubt in my mind all the performers do it for the money. However, some of the performers are A+. Jeff Beck? That's like hanging out with Albert Einstein! It doesn't get any better than that. But, BUT, you realize as the movie unspools that not all the stars appear every year. They don't make this obvious, but it comes clear. Yet, yet, YET, you go and have fun, memories are made, ones that a very few have access to.
So, at the beginning of the flick Alice Cooper says the guy sitting next to him on the airplane is younger than he is in age, but older in mind-set. Most people live lives of drudgery, but musicians, musicians have FUN! At least they used to. But music is a game of musical chairs. If you're a hitmaker, the front person, the star, you can cash in your fame for mazuma for the rest of your life. But if you're a supporting player? I mean what has Tony Franklin been living on all these years? And musicians are famously bad with money, they get it and they blow it, oftentimes with nothing to show.
And from the very first minute I was wondering who would pay to see this movie. I mean to open it in theatres would be ridiculous. What this is is a Netflix movie. And I won't say it's riveting at first, but if you're a member of the congregation, you're willing to hang in there, for the experience, isn't that what the show is?
Not that this film will ever become a landmark. But never underestimate the power of stars and music. "Eddie and the Cruisers" was a stiff in the theatre, but on HBO it became a phenomenon!
So, the bottom line is this is a giant advertisement for Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp. But I'd be lying if watching it I didn't want to go.
I wince when I think how far rock has fallen. Used to be every few years it would be reinvented. But grunge was the last new iteration, and those performers long in the tooth...you'd notice them in the grocery store, but you wouldn't get hot below the waist.
But once you did.
We all want to rock all night and party every day. Well, at least those reading this screed. And we know the power of the riff. When I heard "Cold Gin"...my insides warmed, my head nodded, THIS IS IT!
Not that I'm a KISS fan, my buddy Gene Simmons is an overconfident blowhard in this flick just like he usually is, but he is humanized when he talks about teaching sixth grade. We all started somewhere, some made it everywhere. We're dying to know how. We want to get closer to the secret. We want to figure it out. We want some of their magic to rub off on us. And it does in this movie.
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I couldn't turn it off.
Rock and roll is a religion. It' not taken seriously, but to a certain segment of society, it's everything.
We're not talking about people who go to the show to hear the hits, we're talking about people who know all the album tracks, who don't talk during the show because they're afraid they'll miss something.
And today's generation is...missing something, that is.
It's all we had.
That's hard to comprehend in 2021, where more stimulation, more entertainment than you could consume in multiple lifetimes, is at your fingertips. We were truly bored, we were not all connected, but the music got us through.
Now anybody successful is considered a rock star. But that's not the way it used to be. "Rock star" was a state of mind. A decision to go down the road less taken with no safety net, no backup plan. Most people turned back. Some burned out, some died, but then...there are the icons. Not only do we know their songs, we're convinced we know them, and if we could just get closer, we're dying to get closer.
Our last dying wish would be dinner with a rock star. We're loaded with questions. But most people never get the opportunity. But if you pay for Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp...you'll get the opportunity to hang with a musician or two who's a household name, and a bunch of supporting players, who might have portfolio, but you're unaware of it.
Summer camp...if you haven't been, I feel sorry for you. The rest of the world falls away, you form tight bonds and then it ends and you're depressed, you can't wait to go back, but another year has to pass. David Fishof has tried to recreate this experience. For those who can afford it. Which is not many. And it's also for players, and most people can't play, but if you've got the talent and the bread, if you want to participate, it could be a dream come true.
Not that the idea is not entirely ersatz.
David Fishof is a hustler. A teddy bear who knows how to make money. He repped athletes, and then he went into music, putting together Ringo's All Starr Band tour. And that's one of the most interesting arcs of the movie. How Fishof is a promoter, someone who makes something happen, out of nothing. People talk, but few do. Actually, few attempt. And the first camp, back in the nineties, was a financial disaster, but Fishof kept on. Very little is easy in this world, even though media tries to convince us we're one step away from stardom. No way. You've got to climb mountains, you've got to be parched and starve, you've got to be broke, and you have to be able to write a song as good as "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" and have the inspiration to put a bagpipe in the track. That's what separates the winners from the losers, the stars from the also-rans. Writing the songs. Anybody can follow in the footsteps, but can you blaze the trail? Few do.
So making a movie about the camp. Whose idea was this? I mean isn't it just a giant ad for the camp, quite a good one? Yes. But when they roll into the Fishof life story you start to roll your eyes, he's not a star. But he's the star of this movie.
Yes, about halfway through you realize...THEY'RE MAKING A REAL MOVIE! Most rock movies are not. Here the production values are a ten, and there's a story. But do we care about the story? NOT REALLY! We just want to see the stars, get closer to the music.
So, it dawns on the viewer that the producers are taking this seriously, I'm sure in the back of their minds they thought awards were possible. They're not. So, you've got an autistic kid. Sorry. But many do. How many have the money to send them to ANY KIND of camp? Very few. Which means the life stories don't really ring true. And they're somewhat artificial, especially when the drummer Pistol tells his story to his lined up family, it's awkward. But ultimately his tears are real.
I mean who is out of the loop?
Maybe youngsters, maybe hip-hop fans. But for the rest of us, this music is in our DNA. But it's fading into the past. Heroes die with barely a blip anymore. Len Barry? Gerry Marsden? Leslie West? Is it really tragic? No, it's sad. They lived long lives. Good for them. But their songs, their songs will live on forever...1-2-3!
So, the Fantasy Camp is basically merch, golden circle, access for the superfan. But the paid access you get at a show...is not really access, the acts punch the clock. But at the Fantasy Camp the musicians let down their hair, literally, and hang with you, you get to know them, what's the value of that...PRICELESS! It's kind of like baseball fantasy camps, but different. Baseball players are athletes, one-dimensional, stars, but...the musicians WROTE THESE SONGS, the message is key, and their lifestyle is one you'd like to emulate, as you pay attention to every word.
And there's no doubt in my mind all the performers do it for the money. However, some of the performers are A+. Jeff Beck? That's like hanging out with Albert Einstein! It doesn't get any better than that. But, BUT, you realize as the movie unspools that not all the stars appear every year. They don't make this obvious, but it comes clear. Yet, yet, YET, you go and have fun, memories are made, ones that a very few have access to.
So, at the beginning of the flick Alice Cooper says the guy sitting next to him on the airplane is younger than he is in age, but older in mind-set. Most people live lives of drudgery, but musicians, musicians have FUN! At least they used to. But music is a game of musical chairs. If you're a hitmaker, the front person, the star, you can cash in your fame for mazuma for the rest of your life. But if you're a supporting player? I mean what has Tony Franklin been living on all these years? And musicians are famously bad with money, they get it and they blow it, oftentimes with nothing to show.
And from the very first minute I was wondering who would pay to see this movie. I mean to open it in theatres would be ridiculous. What this is is a Netflix movie. And I won't say it's riveting at first, but if you're a member of the congregation, you're willing to hang in there, for the experience, isn't that what the show is?
Not that this film will ever become a landmark. But never underestimate the power of stars and music. "Eddie and the Cruisers" was a stiff in the theatre, but on HBO it became a phenomenon!
So, the bottom line is this is a giant advertisement for Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp. But I'd be lying if watching it I didn't want to go.
I wince when I think how far rock has fallen. Used to be every few years it would be reinvented. But grunge was the last new iteration, and those performers long in the tooth...you'd notice them in the grocery store, but you wouldn't get hot below the waist.
But once you did.
We all want to rock all night and party every day. Well, at least those reading this screed. And we know the power of the riff. When I heard "Cold Gin"...my insides warmed, my head nodded, THIS IS IT!
Not that I'm a KISS fan, my buddy Gene Simmons is an overconfident blowhard in this flick just like he usually is, but he is humanized when he talks about teaching sixth grade. We all started somewhere, some made it everywhere. We're dying to know how. We want to get closer to the secret. We want to figure it out. We want some of their magic to rub off on us. And it does in this movie.
--
Visit the archive: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/
--
Listen to the podcast:
-iHeart: https://ihr.fm/2Gi5PFj
-Apple: https://apple.co/2ndmpvp
--
http://www.twitter.com/lefsetz
--
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What Now?
The wheels of justice turn slowly. Now the Democrats are talking about delaying an impeachment trial as to not hamper Biden in his early days. To turn America around we must employ BUSINESS!
Of course we want Trump impeached and unable to run again, with his pension and protection eliminated. But what we want more is to elevate facts as we decimate falsehoods.
Yes, the big lie.
I want you to read this article:
"The Art of the Lie? The Bigger the Better - Lying as a political tool is hardly new. But a readiness, even enthusiasm, to be deceived has become a driving force in politics around the world, most recently in the United States": https://nyti.ms/35yMoVb
If you think it's just about getting rid of Trump, you're sorely mistaken. I'm sure you saw that story in the news today about the FBI:
"FBI memo warns law enforcement across U.S. of possible armed protests at 50 state capitols - The FBI also says an armed group has threatened to travel to Washington and stage an uprising if Congress removes Trump from office": https://nbcnews.to/3sfQBqh
This isn't politics, this is WAR!
That's right, you can arrest all of the idiots who raided the Capitol last week and there will be many more lining up to replace them. You see these people truly believe they're saving the country, from "socialism," from the "radical left," from an electoral system that "deprived Trump of his due."
It's not like they haven't been talking about it for decades. What do you think all this B.S. about the 2nd Amendment is all about? Meanwhile, Obama didn't take away their guns.
So, we start with messaging, which Trump and the right do so well. This story must be in the news EVERY DAMN DAY! We cannot let it go, it must be the Benghazi of the left. Yes, something that goes on forever, although in this case there is a true cause underneath, never mind that the five people dead on Wednesday exceeds the four at Benghazi!
Look forward, not back. Yes, we have to analyze what happened, but even more we need to empower ourselves and take action.
Trump has to pay, as do Cruz and Hawley. As for those insane Republican Representatives who refused to wear masks in seclusion on Wednesday, even when asked? They must be outed by name and shamed. This is how far the insanity has gone, even elected officials believe this nonsense. And then you get nitwits like Lauren Boebert who say the House must hear her anti-election result nonsense because she's got constituents outside protesting? What next, criminals asking for consideration of their co-conspirators at trial? This may sound crazy, but it HAPPENED! https://bit.ly/3i3zWSh
So, we must start with the disinformers. Credit Cumulus today with forcing their talkers to stop spewing nonsense about election fraud: https://wapo.st/2LnTogG Next, Premiere Networks must be jawboned into tempering the message of Rush Limbaugh. For far too long, these corporations have gotten away with heinous activity by saying it's just business, that money trumps everything. Well, that ship has to be turned around. And if Premiere doesn't blink, the stations that air Rush must be challenged to kick him off.
But even more, WE MUST KICK FOX NEWS OFF OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS!
That's right, it's complicated, but...
Some cable companies were granted monopolies. But DirectTV and Dish certainly weren't, never mind Sling, etc. They need to kick off Fox just like Parler was decimated by Google, Apple and Amazon. As for those systems where Fox remains...operators must give customers the option to OPT OUT! Cable channels like Fox survive on carriage fees. You're paying for Fox even if you don't watch it. But no, these cable companies must be shamed into making Fox optional, you either have to pay for it or you get a refund/reduction in your bill if you don't want it. This will bring Fox to its knees. Or at least hobble it significantly. This is a no-brainer, do we really need to finance the outlet that spews all this crap that gets people believing falsehoods? And OAN and Newsmax too!
And lawsuits... Just like Smartmatic.
"Newsmax, Fox News backtrack on election fraud claims - After Newsmax, Fox News, and One America News received legal notices from voting technology company Smartmatic, Newsmax and Fox News backtracked baseless election fraud claims.": https://cnn.it/3oFkKgD
We need a team of lawyers combing all this right wing nonsense for possible violations of the law.
As for social media...YOU CAN'T START A FACEBOOK GROUP WITHOUT APPROVAL!
Come on, it's easy to do, Apple scrutinizes every app in the App Store. Facebook can do it, just like Google ended up eliminating so many links to infringing uses of music. They just have to be pushed into it!
And there has to be a website, maybe even from the GOVERNMENT, that all people can go to to check facts. With explanations and stats re vaccines and so much more. We've got to fight with the truth, and the government must take action to distribute it!
Furthermore, NO KUMBAYA, NO PLAYING NICELY, NO COMING TOGETHER! The Republicans never do it, why should the Democrats? Now the Dems have power, stop listening to the do-nothing Republicans and run away with the ball. Ignore their new talk of deficits, stop trying to placate them, now is the opportunity, GO FOR IT!
And Chuck Schumer has to turn into Mitch McConnell. He's got to get all his troops on the same page, to not only insure passage of legislation, but to hold on to Congress in two years. If there's too much infighting, it will not be good. As for "taxing and spending"...why can't the Democrats have a publicity campaign showing the benefits of their efforts, hammered again and again again!
As for the Democratic party, just like the Oscar and Grammy organizations, they must open their doors to youngsters and people of color. Inject new blood or you die.
I want to hear about the insanity of the Republicans EVERY DAMN DAY! To motivate those on the left and to put those on the right on their heels.
Now is the time to get aggressive. I'm not saying to break the law, I'm not advocating violence, I'm agitating for the use of business and left wing power to not only wrest control of institutions, but to point out the bad behavior of the right.
This is the fight of our lifetimes. And either we address it now, or we address it later. But later just might be too late, like with the environment.
I want you FIRED UP! I want you to believe you can MAKE A DIFFERENCE! I want you to TAKE ACTION! The future starts NOW!
--
Visit the archive: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/
--
Listen to the podcast:
-iHeart: https://ihr.fm/2Gi5PFj
-Apple: https://apple.co/2ndmpvp
--
http://www.twitter.com/lefsetz
--
If you would like to subscribe to the LefsetzLetter,
http://www.lefsetz.com/lists/?p=subscribe&id=1
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Of course we want Trump impeached and unable to run again, with his pension and protection eliminated. But what we want more is to elevate facts as we decimate falsehoods.
Yes, the big lie.
I want you to read this article:
"The Art of the Lie? The Bigger the Better - Lying as a political tool is hardly new. But a readiness, even enthusiasm, to be deceived has become a driving force in politics around the world, most recently in the United States": https://nyti.ms/35yMoVb
If you think it's just about getting rid of Trump, you're sorely mistaken. I'm sure you saw that story in the news today about the FBI:
"FBI memo warns law enforcement across U.S. of possible armed protests at 50 state capitols - The FBI also says an armed group has threatened to travel to Washington and stage an uprising if Congress removes Trump from office": https://nbcnews.to/3sfQBqh
This isn't politics, this is WAR!
That's right, you can arrest all of the idiots who raided the Capitol last week and there will be many more lining up to replace them. You see these people truly believe they're saving the country, from "socialism," from the "radical left," from an electoral system that "deprived Trump of his due."
It's not like they haven't been talking about it for decades. What do you think all this B.S. about the 2nd Amendment is all about? Meanwhile, Obama didn't take away their guns.
So, we start with messaging, which Trump and the right do so well. This story must be in the news EVERY DAMN DAY! We cannot let it go, it must be the Benghazi of the left. Yes, something that goes on forever, although in this case there is a true cause underneath, never mind that the five people dead on Wednesday exceeds the four at Benghazi!
Look forward, not back. Yes, we have to analyze what happened, but even more we need to empower ourselves and take action.
Trump has to pay, as do Cruz and Hawley. As for those insane Republican Representatives who refused to wear masks in seclusion on Wednesday, even when asked? They must be outed by name and shamed. This is how far the insanity has gone, even elected officials believe this nonsense. And then you get nitwits like Lauren Boebert who say the House must hear her anti-election result nonsense because she's got constituents outside protesting? What next, criminals asking for consideration of their co-conspirators at trial? This may sound crazy, but it HAPPENED! https://bit.ly/3i3zWSh
So, we must start with the disinformers. Credit Cumulus today with forcing their talkers to stop spewing nonsense about election fraud: https://wapo.st/2LnTogG Next, Premiere Networks must be jawboned into tempering the message of Rush Limbaugh. For far too long, these corporations have gotten away with heinous activity by saying it's just business, that money trumps everything. Well, that ship has to be turned around. And if Premiere doesn't blink, the stations that air Rush must be challenged to kick him off.
But even more, WE MUST KICK FOX NEWS OFF OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS!
That's right, it's complicated, but...
Some cable companies were granted monopolies. But DirectTV and Dish certainly weren't, never mind Sling, etc. They need to kick off Fox just like Parler was decimated by Google, Apple and Amazon. As for those systems where Fox remains...operators must give customers the option to OPT OUT! Cable channels like Fox survive on carriage fees. You're paying for Fox even if you don't watch it. But no, these cable companies must be shamed into making Fox optional, you either have to pay for it or you get a refund/reduction in your bill if you don't want it. This will bring Fox to its knees. Or at least hobble it significantly. This is a no-brainer, do we really need to finance the outlet that spews all this crap that gets people believing falsehoods? And OAN and Newsmax too!
And lawsuits... Just like Smartmatic.
"Newsmax, Fox News backtrack on election fraud claims - After Newsmax, Fox News, and One America News received legal notices from voting technology company Smartmatic, Newsmax and Fox News backtracked baseless election fraud claims.": https://cnn.it/3oFkKgD
We need a team of lawyers combing all this right wing nonsense for possible violations of the law.
As for social media...YOU CAN'T START A FACEBOOK GROUP WITHOUT APPROVAL!
Come on, it's easy to do, Apple scrutinizes every app in the App Store. Facebook can do it, just like Google ended up eliminating so many links to infringing uses of music. They just have to be pushed into it!
And there has to be a website, maybe even from the GOVERNMENT, that all people can go to to check facts. With explanations and stats re vaccines and so much more. We've got to fight with the truth, and the government must take action to distribute it!
Furthermore, NO KUMBAYA, NO PLAYING NICELY, NO COMING TOGETHER! The Republicans never do it, why should the Democrats? Now the Dems have power, stop listening to the do-nothing Republicans and run away with the ball. Ignore their new talk of deficits, stop trying to placate them, now is the opportunity, GO FOR IT!
And Chuck Schumer has to turn into Mitch McConnell. He's got to get all his troops on the same page, to not only insure passage of legislation, but to hold on to Congress in two years. If there's too much infighting, it will not be good. As for "taxing and spending"...why can't the Democrats have a publicity campaign showing the benefits of their efforts, hammered again and again again!
As for the Democratic party, just like the Oscar and Grammy organizations, they must open their doors to youngsters and people of color. Inject new blood or you die.
I want to hear about the insanity of the Republicans EVERY DAMN DAY! To motivate those on the left and to put those on the right on their heels.
Now is the time to get aggressive. I'm not saying to break the law, I'm not advocating violence, I'm agitating for the use of business and left wing power to not only wrest control of institutions, but to point out the bad behavior of the right.
This is the fight of our lifetimes. And either we address it now, or we address it later. But later just might be too late, like with the environment.
I want you FIRED UP! I want you to believe you can MAKE A DIFFERENCE! I want you to TAKE ACTION! The future starts NOW!
--
Visit the archive: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/
--
Listen to the podcast:
-iHeart: https://ihr.fm/2Gi5PFj
-Apple: https://apple.co/2ndmpvp
--
http://www.twitter.com/lefsetz
--
If you would like to subscribe to the LefsetzLetter,
http://www.lefsetz.com/lists/?p=subscribe&id=1
If you do not want to receive any more LefsetzLetters, http://lefsetz.com/lists/?p=unsubscribe&uid=0eecea7b60b461717065cbde887c8e25
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