Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Andrew Diehl, Chase Christie, David Wilson, Dr. Acula, From Atlantis, Kameron Jenkins, Lakeland, Modern Day Escape, Peabody's Down Under, Taken In Vain, The Vortex, Worth The Wait
A young band are set to enter a recording studio in several days to begin recording their debut album as they prepare for upcoming performances in addition to booking additional shows throughout the Midwest. Taken In Vain, a metal band consisting of members from Orrville and Smithville, Ohio will soon be releasing their debut recording effort with all original material written by the band.
“We will be recording our debut album over the next few weeks,” stated David Wilson, lead singer for the band. “Once the recording is done, we will be releasing it for digital download as well as physical CDs. The album will have 7-9 tracks, all mutually written by the band.”
Taken In Vain was formed in 2010 and by 2011 settled into the current solid line-up of Andrew Diehl, 24, on rhythm guitar; Chase Christie, 18, on lead guitar; David Wilson, 21, on vocals and Kameron Jenkins, 17, on drums.
“We’re looking to make our music available to our fans even when we aren’t playing a show,” continued Wilson. “It is also really exciting for us to finally have a polished up ‘finished’ product we can call our own.”
The band is also gearing up for two upcoming performances. The first will be on June 9 at The Vortex in Akron, OH, an all-age event that will also feature bands Worth The Wait and Lakeland. The Vortex is located at 1167 Brittain Rd., Akron. Show time will be at 6:00 PM with tickets $8.00 in advance or $10.00 at the door.
The second performance will be June 22 at the famed Peabody’s Down Under in Cleveland, OH. Also appearing will be Modern Day Escape, Dr. Acula and From Atlantis. Peabody’s Down Under is located at 2045 East 21st Street, Cleveland. Show time will be at 6:00 PM with tickets available at $10.00 advance or $12.00
“We’re greatly looking forward to making our debut at these two venues,” explained Wilson. “It will be especially cool to be on the Peabody’s stage as we’ve pictured ourselves up on that stage at many different shows through the years. We’re also really looking forward to sharing a stage with such big national acts as Modern Day Escape and Dr. Acula! Both of the shows are going to be a blast, we’re just excited to be getting out in front of some people!”
The band is currently in negotiations for several other appearances in Ohio and Michigan and a ‘Mini-Tour’ of the Midwest is being worked on. “We are always looking for more shows to play. We absolutely love being on stage! There’s nothing quite like playing our music in front of an audience,” Wilson related.
For bookings, to order advance tickets and to stay up-to-date on Taken In Vain’s activities, upcoming gigs, merchandise and recordings visit their website at: www.takeninvain.com
Filed under: Uncategorized
The extremely talented and stunning Constance Gibson, who first gained fame as one of the more popular Upbeat Dancers on the renowned Upbeat TV Show that aired over WEWS Channel 5 in Cleveland, OH from 1964 – 1971, has went on to a super-successful career as a fashion & beauty agent who works with international stars. Constance Gibson recently released her autobiography, She Can Go Where Pretty Girls Go, and it’s now available and a highly recommended read, especially based on the rave reviews that are coming in. From her website:
Author Constance Gibson is a native of Carlisle, South Carolina but grew up in the projects of Cleveland, Ohio. She began her career as a dancer at age 13, performing in cabarets throughout the Greater Cleveland area. At fifteen she auditioned and won a spot dancing on the nationally-syndicated television show, Upbeat (1968-1971). She attended Texas Southern University in Houston and Fordham University in New York City.
After school she fulfilled a lifelong dream by working in New York’s fashion industry. Gibson started out as a dresser working under fashion maven Audrey Smaltz and winded up owning her own beauty and fashion agency. She started “Style Architect” in 1988 and her clients were some of the biggest names in entertainment: Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, Morgan Freeman, TLC, SWV, and many many more. Gibson is married with two step-daughters, and six grandchildren, and divides her time between her homes in South Carolina and New York City.
Deborah & Constance Gibson in the Upbeat Show days. Deborah & Constance are co-owners of Beyond Ink Publishing.
The book, being an autobiography, covers her entire life and there is plenty of remembrances of the Upbeat TV Show as well as her ultra-successful fashion agency. “I was an Upbeat Dancer from 1968 – 1971,” Constance told Bangagong! “It was a magical time working with the biggest stars of that era. Presently residing in New York City, I returned to Cleveland when the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honored Upbeat in 2000. The Upbeat Dancers were like family to me, and I am still in touch with Arline Burks, Jeannie Hagedorn, Mary Lynn Curnayn, Jacquelyn Carson and choreographer Hank Nystrom.”
“I am now the owner of Style Architect, a company which provides fashion and beauty services to celebrities. Clients have included Whitney Houston, Morgan Freeman, TLC, SWV, Brittney Spears, and numerous others. You can read about the Upbeat Show and Style Architect in my autobiography, She Can Go Where Pretty Girls Go.”
You can purchase the book where fine books are sold or directly through her website HERE.
Filed under: Upbeat TV Show | Tags: ABSTRACT ARTISTRY, CLEAR LIGHT HEALING, Constance Gibson, Dianne Rini, Don Webster, Hank Nystrom, Herman Spero, Jean Hagedorn, Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, Upbeat Dancers, Upbeat TV Show, WEWS Channel 5
(For our history of the Upbeat TV Show click HERE.)
During the long run of the now classic Upbeat TV Show that aired from 1964 - 1971 in Cleveland, OH on WEWS TV, in addition to the amazing bands and
performers who appeared, one popular fixture of the show were the now famed Upbeat Dancers. As far as television rock ‘n roll shows that aired the
performers instead of records, the Upbeat Dancers were the first on that
type of show and if you believed all the people who watched it in the area
where I lived and went to school, the Upbeat Dancers left the Shindig,
Hullabaloo & Where The Action Is! dancers in the dust.
Throughout the years the Upbeat Dancers were basically a choreographed
troupe but they were hip to all the new dances and moves, they were
professional, talented and trendsetters. My older sister and her friends
would often buy clothes and get new hair-styles based on what they saw the
Upbeat Dancers girls wearing.
Due to the immediate and popular reaction to the recent entry we did on the
Upbeat show and a number of people emailing and asking the proverbial
“Whatever happened to.. The Upbeat Dancers?” questions we decided to try and make contact with some former Upbeat Dancers and ask them to retrospectively take a look back to their days on the show and share their thoughts and memories and inform people where their lives have gone since then.
Over the years Upbeat Dancers included Constance Gibson, Jean Hagedorn,
Linda Mulcahey, Arline Burks, Jacquelyn Carson, John Magill, Mary Lynn
Curnayn, Arlee Gibson, Michael Ray, Linda Mulcahy, Kim Havrilla, Arline
Burks, Mary Lynn Curnayn, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Carson, Peggy Miller and the
talented Dianne Rini, who was gracious enough to answer some questions about her two years on the Upbeat Show.
Dianne Rini was born and raised in Cleveland, OH and attended high school in Lyndhurst, OH and joined the show as a 16-year-old during it’s last two
years on the air (August 1969 – August 1971) and she obviously was born with
a tremendous artistic ability and talent.
“It was an open audition at Channel 5,” responded Dianne when asked how she
was selected to be an Upbeat Dancer. “I was 16 years old, just started High
School and this was my dream to dance on the UpBeat Show. I was so happy
when I got the call that I made it on the show. Mary Lynne and I made it
at the same time and we would go to rehearsals together during the week and
the taping of the shows on Saturdays.”
The Dancers didn’t just show up on Saturdays for the taping of the show. “We
rehearsed two evenings per week and taped the show on Saturdays,” informed Dianne.
Dianne was quizzed on working with the producer and host. “He was nice,”
commented Dianne when asked about producer Herman Spero. “Didn’t really know him.” And host Don Webster? “He was nice and loved what he was doing.”
Other special memories Dianne has is working with the renowned dance
choreographer Hank Nystrom, who served in that capacity on the Upbeat show from 1968 – 1971. “I have wonderful memories of Hank!” proclaimed Dianne. “Great teacher, great dancer- great choreographer- funny and just a great man.”
The Upbeat Dancers also became celebrities themselves. “Yes, we were
recognized and the audience would ask us all for our autographs and I was
known at my high school as the girl that dances on TV. It was awesome!”
It was brought to Dianne’s attention that the vibe that came through from
the Upbeat Dancers was a friendly on and the audience assumed that the
Dancers were all the best of friends. “There was a great camaraderie amongst
us,” confirmed Dianne. “We had a lot of fun during rehearsals and taping the
show and meeting all the musical guest. We all got along. I was one of the
youngest of the group. Everyone was really kind and I just remember laughing a lot.”
And of course, there was that endless procession of famous rock stars and
bands that came through the studio weekly to do the show. “I was just in awe
with all the amazing guests on there and we were dancing with them,”
recalled Dianne. “It was so cool. I know who they were but I have to really
go back in my mind to remember them. I look back on it all and we were
amongst the best musicians of the 70′s. The greatest musicians that ever
lived!”
There have been reunions of the Upbeat Dancers, primarily when the Upbeat TV Show was honored by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2005 but unfortunately, Dianne was unaware of it at the time. “They were looking for me, but no one knew where I was till Mary Lynn happened to come across my cousin and then I was contacted,” explained Dianne. “But I wasn’t able to fly to Cleveland for it. I live in California.”
“I did see Mary Lynn in Cleveland after their get together and then last
year Jeannie, who lives in California too, contacted me and we will get
together soon. Now everyone is reconnecting with Arlene’s Facebook page.
It is so wonderful. It was another life. I am coming to Cleveland to visit
relatives in July and might be able to hook up with some of them there.”
So how does it feel to know the Upbeat Show was honored by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2005? “Wonderful! I didn’t know till now. That might have
been the reunion that I couldn’t make it too.”
Dianne did have one special memory that she fondly remembers. “We did a show at Music Hall the last year before we went off the air. It was so amazing
dancing on that stage. I have never felt that feeling again. The whole stage
ignited with all this energy and excitement that each of us dancers exuded
on that stage.”
“The audience loved it – my parents loved it –and it was a very special
moment for me. I was an Upbeat Dancer the last two years before it went off
the air and so grateful – at 16 years old – to have actually lived one of my
dreams at that time. How cool is that? Great time, great memories, great
people, lots of laughs, lots of fun and creative, plus, rehearsals, taping
the show, just dancing on the Upbeat Show on TV! It just doesn’t get any
better, at that time.”
“It was one of the most exciting times in my life. So much fun! I was so
blessed to be a part of it all, working with everyone that were a part of
this amazing journey. ‘Hey, let’s go with the Upbeat Show!’ Loved it!”
NOTE: Today, the multi-talented Dianne Rini lives in Venice, California and is a Certified Advanced Clear Light Healer in addition to being a visual artist. Below is her biography from her website, ABSTRACT ARTISTRY
Dianne Rini today!
DIANNE RINI:
Dianne Rini was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She moved to California
in 1982 where she began her journey as a visual artist. Soon after moving
west she created her earliest series of pen and ink drawings, “A Diary
Without Words”. This would become an eleven year study of the intersection
between Rini’s visual and emotional worlds. The series foreshadowed her
dedication to the visual arts and formed the foundation for her future work.
As a self-taught artist Rini’s disciplined approach to “A Diary Without
Words” forced her to hone her artistic abilities. The meticulous and
monochromatic compositions in pen and ink both were an exercise in design
and balance.
From 1991 to 1995 Rini lived in Paris and immersed herself in the French
language and culture. Just as her move to California inspired to create the
series of drawings, her time in Paris invigorated her need for visual
evolution. She began studying different mediums and incorporating them onto the canvas. Her success with charcoal, pigment, pastel, and acrylic is
evident in the skillful works that followed.
Dianne Rini paints a philosophy of gratitude and reverence. She recognizes
divine in the mundane and translates her joy for living into her diverse
paintings and drawings.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2003 Group Exhibition, The Red Room, Venice
Solo Exhibition, French Market Cafe, Venice
Group Exhibition, Malibu Art Association, Desert Cove, Malibu
2001 Solo Exhibition, The Loft Exhibit, BGH Gallery, Santa Monica
Group Exhibition, Prototype Gallery, Los Angeles
Solo Exhibition,”Dan Les Yeux de Juliette”,David Aden Gallery Venice
For more information on Dianne Rini and her art and photography visit her
website: ABSTRACT ARTISTRY
For more information on Dianne Rini’s work as a Certified Advanced Clear Light Healer visit her website: CLEAR LIGHT HEALING
(c)2012 Doc Lehman/Bangagong!
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Filed under: ROCK 'N ROLL | Tags: Billy Preston, Brian Epstein, Dave Clark Five, Donovan, Dusty Springfield, Four Tops, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Grass Roots, Hullabaloo, Ike & Tina Turner, Jay and the Americans, Lada St Edmund, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Pretty Things, Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs, Searchers, Shindig, Terry Knight and the Pack, The Animals, The Beatles, The Beau Brummels, The Cyrkle, The Gentrys, The Hollies, The Kinks, The Left Banke, The Lovin' Spoonful, The McCoys, The Moody Blues, The Outsiders, The Rolling Stones, The Searchers, The Small Faces, The Spinners, The Supremes, The Who, The Zombies, Upbeat, Where The Action Is, Yardbirds
Back in the ancient times of the 1960’s one of the few venues available for many people to actually see rock bands in addition to listening was television. In addition to the various variety shows that would occasionally feature a rock band, there were several shows in the 1960’s that spotlighted rock and roll pretty much exclusively.
While American Bandstand was on for some time since the 1950’s, it was basically a show that played records to audience members dancing with usually only one, sometimes two, guest performers/bands. For many of us, myself in particular, you couldn’t beat the Upbeat Show, produced by WEWS in Cleveland that was eventually syndicated all over the country.
Several national network shows turned up not long after Upbeat, the three most well-known were Shindig, Hullabaloo and Where The Action Is.
SHINDIG
Shindig debuted on September 16, 1964 on ABC and aired through January 8, 1966. It was produced by British television producer Jack Good and was broadcast on Wednesdays at 8:30. In July 1965 former Shindig director Dean Whitmore took over as producer.
In January 1965 the show went to one-hour episodes. Most of the performances were ‘live’, although there were some that were lip-synched or had pre-recorded backing tracks. On occasion, British bands appeared via video.
Shindig was hosted by Los Angeles disc-jockey Jimmy O’Neill. Also featured were the Shindig dancers, a troupe made up of 10 (or so) young women who performed choreographed dances. Shindig also had a group of performers who appeared on a semi-regular basis. These included The Righteous Brothers, Glen Campbell, Donna Loren and Bobby Sherman.
The series had a house band, the Shin-diggers/Shindogs featured a young Glen Campbell, Joey Cooper, Chuck Blackwell (drums), Billy Preston, James Burton, Delaney Bramlett, Larry Knechtel (on bass), Leon Russell (on piano), and Glen D. Hardin. Ray Pohlman was the show’s musical director and was also a member of the studio group that would be known as ‘The Wrecking Crew.
And like most all rock ‘n roll shows back then there was a group of show dancers who accompanied many of the artists who appeared. Dubbed the Shin-diggers, they were choreographed by David Winters. One of the regular dancers was Teri Garr. The Shin-diggers’ assistant choreographer, Antonia Basilotta (better known as Toni Basil), was most widely known for the 1980s song “Mickey”.
Among some of the bands and performers who appeared on Shindig were The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, The Byrds, The Everly Brothers, The Who, The Hollies, Mariann Faithful, Dave Clark Five, Yardbirds, Moody Blues, Gloria Jones, Pretty Things, Grass Roots, Searchers, Turtles, The Toys, The Newbeats, Joe Tex, The McCoys, Billy Preston an many others.
During the second season the show was aired in two 30-minute shows that aired on Thursdays and Saturdays with weekly guest hosts.
By the end of 1965 Shindig’s popularity began to wane, often blamed on the ever growing population of rock ‘n roll shows. Another factor affecting Shindig’s ratings had to have been time-shifting by local affiliates. Many ABC affiliates chose not to air Shindig in its regular Thursday/Saturday 7:30pm time slot (opting for syndicated or locally produced programs). These stations usually moved Shindig to non-prime time hours.
The show’s eventual cancellation was due to the network’s mid-season reshuffle. Shindig was replaced by a new show, Batman. There are some shows that survive and almost 20 years ago Rhino Records released a dozen Shindig VHS tapes.
HULLABALOO
NBC’s contribution to the exploding rock ‘n roll and youth demographic was Hullabaloo, a series that boasted a bigger budget and the top bands and performers of the era. The show debuted on January 12, 1965 with it’s last broadcast on August 29, 1966. The show was directed by Steve Binder and each week he featured a different guest host. Many of them were mainstream older performers but the bands that were featured were among the top acts.
The series was a one-hour broadcast that aired from 8:30 – 9:30 PM on Tuesday evenings. In June 1965 the show was moved to 10:00 PM.
Hullabaloo’s debut got an extra publicity boost by featuring The Beatles manager Brian Epstein in segments he hosted that were taped in England. Epstein was prominently spotlighted and hyped in the first 13 episodes.
Hullabaloo also had a troupe of dancers, usually sporting go-go boots and mini-skirts, and choreographed by David Winters, who selected and choreographed the Hullabaloo Dancers. Two of the dancers, Michael Bennett and Donna McKechnie, went on to achieve success and fame on Broadway. Lada St. Edmund was best known as the caged “go-go girl” dancer in the “Hullabaloo A-Go-Go” segment near the closing sequence.
Lada St. Edmund
Among the top bands & performers who appeared on Hullabaloo were The Zombies, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Marianne Faithfull, Marvin Gaye, The Everly Brothers, The Kinks, The Beau Brummels, The Searchers, The Moody Blues, Dusty Springfield, The Animals, Jay and the Americans, The Hollies, The Byrds, Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs, The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Gentrys, The Rolling Stones, Four Tops, The McCoys, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, The Outsiders, The Beatles (Taped Performance) and more.
In September the show was cut back to half hour status and aired on Monday at 7:30 PM until it was cancelled. The show that replaced it was The Monkees.
WHERE THE ACTION IS:
Famed television host & producer Dick Clark, already at the top of his game with American Bandstand, added a weekday show to his resume of productions and as another card on the rock ‘n roll television table. Where The Action Is aired nationally on ABC premiering on June 27, 1965 and was a black & white production that was filmed at various sunny locales throughout California, usually from beaches filled with teenagers and bikinis. Malibu Beach and Bear Mountain were most frequently utilized.
The show had semi-regulars, with Paul Revere & The Raiders chief among them, even as serving as de facto co-hosts and house band until midway through 1966, to be replaced by The Robbs. ABC eventually cancelled the show and it last aired on March 31, 1967.
A majority of the performances were lip synched, usually due to location and logistical issues, but some of the top bands and performers appeared in this Upbeat/American Bandstand hybrid.
Small Faces
Among the bands & performers who appeared were The Strawberry Alarm Clock, The Music Machine, Johnny Rivers, The Supremes, Jan & Dean, The Zombies, Jackie DeShannon, The Shangri-Las, James Brown & The Famous Flames, Sonny & Cher, Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs, Sir Douglas Quintet, Jackie Wilson, Jr. Walker & the All Stars, The Kinks, Aretha Franklin, Donovan, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Ike & Tina Turner, The McCoys, Edwin Starr, Little Richard, Dusty Springfield, Gloria JonesSmokey Robinson & The Miracles, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, The Mamas & the Papas, The Yardbirds, Them, The Spencer Davis Group, The Who, The Outsiders, The Small Faces, The Spinners, The Cyrkle, Terry Knight and the Pack, The Left Banke, Buffalo Springfield and a couple dozen more.
Once ABC cancelled Where The Action Is and gave the time slot to local affiliates, Paul Revere and the Raiders along with lead vocalist Mark Lindsay hosted follow-up shows: Happening ’68, a Saturday afternoon follow-up to American Bandstand, and a weekday version of the same show, It’s Happening, from 1968 to 1969. Both shows were produced by Dick Clark Productions.
Terry Knight & The Pack
In 1973 and 1985, Where the Action Is returned to the air for two more very short series runs.
(c)2012 Doc Lehman/Bangagong!
Filed under: Uncategorized
If I was able to go to England next month I would definitely go to this event (click to enlarge):
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 2012 Rock ‘N Blues Fest, Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, Edgar Winter, Edgar Winter's White Trash, Hippiefest, Johnny Winter, Kim Simmonds, Leslie West, Rick Derringer, Roadwork, Savoy Brown, Tobacco Road, Woodstock
What was previously known as Hippiefest, a touring concert package that appeared at various outdoor venues throughout the country, has now evolved into the Rock ‘N Blues Fest with the 2012 edition spotlighting five world-class performers who were first inspired by the blues. Headlining the 2012 Rock ‘N Blues Fest will be the legendary Johnny Winter along with performances by Edgar Winter, Rick Derringer, Kim Simmonds and Leslie West.
Collectively, these five titans of rock have culled 4 Grammy Awards, 10 Grammy Nominations, 14 Billboard-charting songs, 18 Billboard-charting albums, 10 Gold albums, and 4 Platinum albums. Johnny, Edgar, and Leslie all played the original Woodstock in August of 1969.
20 dates have been scheduled (more could be added!) with the tour kicking off on Sunday July 29 at Pantages Theater in Tacoma, Washington and ending on Friday August 31 at Country Club Hills Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
Personally, it’s my intention to make it to the Wednesday August 29 gig at the Fraze Pavillion in Kettering, OH.
I have a ton of memories of seeing all of them at various times, especially in the 1970′s. I think I’ve seen Johnny Winter three times, Edgar Winter three times, Rick Derringer eight times (once with Edgar Winter), Kim Simmonds/Savoy Brown & Moutain twice each.
“I think the blues will always be around,” says legendary blues guitarist Johnny Winter, who will be performing as part of the Johnny Winter Band. “People need it.”
As the story goes, at the age of 17, Johnny went to see B.B. King in his
home state of Texas, and requested a turn at the mic. King eventually gave
in and handed his guitar to Johnny, who ended up getting a standing ovation
for his performance.
Johnny released his first solo album, The Progressive Blues Experiment, and
the music world took notice, leading to his historic performance at
Woodstock. Twenty years and several successful solo albums later, he was
inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame. Named as one of Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, Johnny Winter still remains one of the top blues/rock guitarists touring today.
Joining Johnny for the Rock ‘N Blues Fest tour will be his younger brother,
Edgar Winter.
“As far as I’m concerned, blues and jazz are the great American contributions to music,” comments Edgar, who will be bringing the Edgar Winter Band along for the almost two-month trek.
A multi-instrumentalist (keyboards/sax/percussion) whose music encompasses many different genres including rock, blues, jazz and pop, Edgar first hit the national spotlight with his early recording of Tobacco Road, featured on his 1970 debut album, Entrance. Edgar would soon form the band White Trash and release two hit albums in ’71 and ’72 titled, Edgar Winter’s White Trash and Roadwork.
Hot on the heels of the certified gold album, Roadwork, Edgar would put together an entirely new outfit called The Edgar Winter Group that would originally feature guitarist Ronnie Montrose. The band’s first effort, They Only Come Out at Night, would spawn both the hit singles, Free Ride and Frankenstein, and remain on the charts for an incredible 80 consecutive weeks.
More recently, Edgar achieved chart success in 2003 with the song, Dying To Live featured as Runnin” (Dying to Live) in the film Tupac Resurrection as
the Eminem-produced song hit #5 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
sales chart.
Next on the bill is rock guitarist Rick Derringer, who’s had an illustrious
career as both a solo artist and critical band member. Derringer was the lead guitarist and vocalist of The McCoys at age 16. Derringer is the creator of the
well-known rock anthem, Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo. The song continues to
be a staple on rock radio and was featured in several movies including The
Spirit of ’76, Rush, Stag, What A Girl Wants and the cult classic, Dazed and Confused.
Derringer has had a successful solo career and as a member of his own band, Derringer, Johnny Winter And the Edgar Winter Group.
In 1977, he would appear on the last Led Zeppelin North American Tour. In the years to follow, Rick would perform with such artists as Alice Cooper, Steely Dan, KISS, Todd Rundgren and Weird Al Yankovic among others including both Johnny and Edgar Winter. From 1986 to 1992, Rick would tour with Cindy Lauper and co-write a song from her True Colors album titled, Calm Inside The Storm. Before embarking on last year’s Hippiefest tour, Rick toured Europe with Ringo Starr as a member of Ringo’s All-Starr Band.
Considered one of the architects of British blues, Kim Simmonds began performing professionally in London in the mid-60′s after learning how to play guitar by listening to his brother’s blues records as a teenager. As leader and founder of the legendary blues rock band, Savoy Brown, he has 49 album releases currently available and continues to tour all over the world with the band as well as a solo acoustic act.
In 1967, the band would help propel the UK blues boom movement that brought blues music back to the United States, invigorating the style forever. In the process, Savoy Brown became part of the framework that launched the rock and roll music of the 1970′s, with their vast influence stretching into modern rock as we know it today.
In 2011, the band celebrated its 45th anniversary by releasing a new CD titled, Voodoo Moon. Later in the year, Kim would release his most recent effort, Out Of The Blue, a collection of varied material that placed him in a new setting as both singer and songwriter. Among the most loved, most respected and longest running of its genre, Savoy Brown is one of the magical names in blues rock. Kim Simmonds will be performing the best of the best at this year’s Rock’n'Blues Fest.
Although perhaps best known as a founding member of the band Mountain, guitarist Leslie West began his musical career with an R&B/Blue-eyed soul rock outfit called The Vagrants, who would quickly enjoy a few hits. Shortly after the formation of Mountain with bass guitarist/producer Felix Pappalardi, keyboardist Steve Knight and drummer N.D. Smart in 1969, the band would find themselves performing on day two of the legendary Woodstock festival in August of that year.
Not too long after the event, new drummer Corky Laing would join the fold and the band would release their first Billboard Top 40 single, Mississippi Queen. The rest is rock history as the song would be played on rock radio for years to come.
Considered one of the pioneers of heavy metal, Rolling Stone magazine once identified them as a “louder version of Cream.” In the early seventies, Mountain would temporarily disband with Leslie and Corky collaborating with Creem bassist Jack Bruce for a cutting-edge group called West, Bruce and Laing. In 1976, West would play guitar for the track, Bo Diddley Jam on Diddley’s 20th Anniversary of Rock’n'Roll all-star album. In 2005, he contributed to Ozzy Osbourne’s Under Cover album, performing guitar on a remake of Mississippi Queen. The following year, he immersed himself in the blues, once again, with his latest solo album titled, Blue Me, on the Blues Bureau International label. Later that year (2006) he would be honored by being inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. In addition to fronting Mountain, Leslie continues to record and perform on his own.
2012 Rock “N” Blues Fest Tour Schedule:
Sunday, July 29 – Pantages Theater in Tacoma, Washington (w/o Leslie West)
Wednesday, August 1 – The Winery in Saratoga, California
Friday, August 3 – Sam’s Woodsite in Mammoth Lakes, California
Saturday, August 4 – The Grove in Anaheim, California
Sunday, August 5 – The Palms Concert Theatre in Las Vegas, Nevada
Thursday, August 9 – Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis, Massachusetts
Friday, August 10 – Newport Yachting Center in Newport, Rhode Island
Saturday, August 11 – Spy Class Ridge Winery in Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Sunday, August 12 – County Center in Westchester, New York
Tuesday, August 14 – Bergen Performing Arts Center in Bergen, New Jersey
Wednesday, August 15 – Keswick Theatre in Glenside, Pennsylvania
Thursday, August 16 – Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, New Jersey
Friday, August 17 – South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, Massachusetts
Saturday, August 18 – NYCB Theatre in Westbury, New York
Sunday, August 19 – Mount Laurel Performing Arts Center in Bushkill, Pennsylvania
Tuesday, August 21 – Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey
Friday, August 24 – The Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach, Florida (date billed as “Hippiefest”)
Wednesday, August 29 – Fraze Pavilion in Kettering, Ohio
Thursday, August 30 – DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan
Friday, August 31 – Country Club Hills Theatre in Chicago, Illinois
Filed under: Upbeat TV Show | Tags: Bob Seger, Monkees, Circus, BEATLES, Music Explosion, Left Banke, the Chylds, Tommy James, The Who, James Gang, Upbeat TV Show, Yardbirds, WEWS Channel 5, Fanny, Don Webster, Stevie Wonder, Shindig, Where The Action Is, The Rolling Stones, Marvin Gaye & Tammie Terrel, Velvet Underground, McCoys, B.B. King, John Kay, Steppenwolf, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sonny Geraci and The Outsiders, Canned Heat, Paul Revere & The Riders, Sly and The Family Stone, Terry Knight and the Pack, Johnny Nash, Billy Joe Royal, Gene Krupa, Steam, Box Tops, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Eric Burdon, Lou Christie, The 5th Dimension, Gene Pitney, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Otis Redding, Bar-Kays, the Strawberry Alarm Clock, Scott MacKenzie, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Toys, American Breed, Steve Colt, The Fifth Estate, The Sonics, Doughboys, Pleasure Seekers, Tiffany Shade, London & The Bridges, The Debutantes, Cyrus Erie, Kickin' Mustangs, John Sebastian and The Lovin’ Spoonful, GTO’s, The Shangra-La’s, Spanky and Our Gang, Peter and Gordon, Simon and Garfunkel, Chubby Checker, Grasshoppers, Gary Puckett and Union Gap, Pete Best, Raven, Eric Carmen, Choir, Damnation of Adam Blessing, Jean Hagedorn. Linda Mulcahey, Arline Burks, Jacquelyn Carson, John Magill, Mary Lynn Curnayn, Arlee Gibson, Constance Gibson, Michael Ray, Linda Mulcahy, Kim Havrilla, Jacquelyn "Jackie" Carson, Peggy Miller, and Diane Rini, Herman Spero, David Spero, Cleveland Ohio music tv rock n roll, Maurice "Hank" Nystrom, Hullabaloo, In Concert, Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert, Midnight Special, Dave C and the Sharptones, The Grasshoppers, Ben Orr, the Cars, Rapid Transit, the People's Choice, Puzzle People, Upbeat Dancers
If you were a young person in the 1960’s and early 1970’s who loved rock ‘n roll and lived in northeast Ohio and if you were anywhere near a television on Saturday’s at 5:00 PM from 1964 – 1971 you were more than likely tuned into the Upbeat TV Show that aired weekly over Cleveland’s WEWS Channel 5. Upbeat was a weekly music program that featured the top national, international and regional bands of the day.
“It was the first show of its kind that really wasn’t a dance party,” said David Spero to WEWS not long ago. David Spero is the son of Herman Spero, producer of the WEWS program The Old Dutch Polka Review, which would later be known as Polka Varieties. “Instead of having, like American Bandstand, where they’d have Frankie Avalon come on and sing two songs, all the rest was kids dancing to the records, he said ‘Let’s have 10 acts.’”
Upbeat was a trendsetter having appeared long before Hullabaloo, Shindig, Where The Action Is and later, In Concert, Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert and the Midnight Special. It debuted on August 29, 1964 as The Big 5 Show, named so because it aired on Channel 5 at 5:00 PM on Saturdays. It was hosted by a variety of Cleveland area disc jockeys until Spero decided a permanent host was needed. Spero saw a young Don Webster hosting a Canadian dance party show and hired him to take over the soon-to-be-renamed Upbeat show.
After being hired by WEWS one of Webster’s first duties was to interview The Beatles during their Cleveland appearance.
Don Webster & The Beatles – 1964
Soon after Upbeat’s popularity grew so large that Spero and WEWS began syndicating the show around the country, eventually appearing in 105 television markets.
Bands/performers would be brought in on a Friday and Spero, Webster and their staff would try to get them a booking at a local High School or club so they’d get some extra pay out of it.
The McCoys (Rick Derringer – left) w/ Don Webster
“We would tape it on Saturday afternoon, rehearsal started at nine, took a break at noon, came back at 1:30 and shot the show and hopefully it was done by five o’clock when you had to see it,” Spero explained. The videotape of one-hour “Upbeat” episode would be copied nine times and then sent to a station in each of the top ten markets (such as New York, San Francisco, Boston, Dallas) broadcast and then that station would sent to a station in the next lower market size, shipped or “bicycled” from market to market.
It didn’t take long for acts who appeared on Upbeat to eventually be seen nationally after a month or so of the tapes making the rounds.
Eric Burden & The Animals appeared
Over the years a virtual who’s who of national, international and regional bands performed numerous times on Upbeat, a few examples included Marvin Gaye & Tammie Terrel, Music Explosion, Velvet Underground, McCoys, Yardbirds, Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones, B.B. King, John Kay, Steppenwolf, Jerry Lee Lewis, Monkees, Sonny Geraci and The Outsiders, Canned Heat, Paul Revere & The Riders, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tommy James, Sly and The Family Stone, Terry Knight and the Pack, Johnny Nash, Billy Joe Royal, Stevie Wonder, Gene Krupa, Steam, Box Tops, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Eric Burdon, Lou Christie, The 5th Dimension, Gene Pitney, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Otis Redding, Bar-Kays, the Strawberry Alarm Clock, Fanny, Scott MacKenzie, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Circus, The Toys, American Breed, Steve Colt, The Chylds, The Fifth Estate, The Sonics, Doughboys, Pleasure Seekers, Tiffany Shade, London & The Bridges, The Debutantes, Cyrus Erie, Kickin’ Mustangs, John Sebastian and The Lovin’ Spoonful, Bob Seger, GTO’s, The Shangra-La’s, Spanky and Our Gang, Peter and Gordon, Simon and Garfunkel, Chubby Checker, Grasshoppers, Gary Puckett and Union Gap, Pete Best, Left Banke, Raven, James Gang, Eric Carmen, Choir, Damnation of Adam Blessing.
The legendary BB King
One memorable guest who appeared performed for the last time. On December 9, 1967, after appearing on the Upbeat show and doing a gig in Canton, OH, Otis Redding subsequently died in an airplane crash on the way to his next gig in Madison, WI. “The end of the show was him (Redding), with the Bar-Kays and Mitch Ryder singing ‘Knock On Wood’,” Spero said.
Over the years Upbeat featured several ‘house bands’ to back up solo performers. Upbeat house bands were Dave C and the Sharptones, The Grasshoppers (of which the late Ben Orr of the Cars was a member), Rapid Transit and the People’s Choice (Puzzle People).
The Cowsills
Another selling and focal point to the Upbeat show were the ‘Upbeat Dancers’ who performed during various guests’ performances. Maurice “Hank” Nystrom, who went on to national acclaim, was Upbeat’s choreographer (1968 – 1971) when the show was televised to 105 cities nationwide.
Over the years Upbeat Dancers included Jean Hagedorn. Linda Mulcahey, Arline Burks, Jacquelyn Carson, John Magill, Mary Lynn Curnayn, Arlee Gibson, Constance Gibson, Michael Ray, Linda Mulcahy, Kim Havrilla, Arline Burks, Mary Lynn Curnayn, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Carson, Peggy Miller, and Diane Rini, among others.
After Upbeat ended in 1971 Webster remained at WEWS until his retirement in 1999. He did weather, hosted the Ohio Lottery show, Academic Challenge, The Gene Carroll Show, Bowling for Dollars and anchored Live On Five. Webster is now enjoying his retirement in South Carolina.
Mitch Ryder, Webster, Otis Redding
Ironically, Upbeat founder Herman Spero, who died in 1979 at the age young of 55, proposed to cable networks the idea of a music TV channel just before his death. HBO turned him down. Within a couple years MTV was born.
UPBEAT honored by Hall of Fame
Alex Chilton & The Boxtops appeared several times
The UPBEAT DANCERS
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 2012 Detroit Music Awards, all female rock bands, all girl-groups, Arlene Quatro, Bangles, Ben Sharkey, Blood Orgy of the Leather Girls, country twanger Paulina Jayne, Cradle, Darline Arnone, Detroit Music Awards, Detroit rock 'n roll, Diane Baker, Eileen Biddlingmeier, Fanny, garage-girl Amy Gore & her Valentines, Hideout Records, Hip-hop hero Black Milk, Leo Fenn, Mary Lou Ball, Mercury Records, Nancy Ball, Nancy Quatro, Patti Quatro, Runaways!, Sherilynn Fenn, Suzi Quatro, swing group Planet D Nonet, the Go-Gos, The Hideout, The Pleasure Seekers, The Runaways, Upbeat Show, USO Vietnam Shows, Victoria Tischler Blue, WEWS Channel 5
(NOTE: Click on images to enlarge!)
Suzi Quatro and her sisters, Patti, Arlene & Nanci, who played together as The Pleasure Seekers, will be reuniting for a special appearance at the 2012 Detroit Music Awards on Friday April 27 starting at 6:00 PM at the Fillmore in Detroit.
Grosse Pointe-born sisters Suzi, Patti, Nanci and Arlene Quatro formed
Detroit’s first and most famous all-girl garage-rock group, the Pleasure
Seekers, in 1964. After just a few weeks practice, the band dared Dave Leone to give them a slot at his popular teen nightclub, The Hideout, in Detroit. He put them on stage two weeks later and they never looked back.
These days most people are familiar with the 61-year-old Suzi Quatro, who’s well known for her string of U.K. and Euro hits.
“Our era rocked!” Patti Quatro told Bangagong! “Detroit was an explosion of music and groups at that time.”
After starting out at The Hideout they were soon touring the Midwest and eventually even USO shows to Vietnam in 1967. Their first single, on the local Hideout label, was Never Thought You’d Leave Me. The flipside, What A Way To Die, was spotlighted in the cult drive-in film Blood Orgy of the Leather Girls.
They were also the first all-girl rock band to sign to a national label. Mercury Records inked the band in 1968 and they immediately released the single, Light Of Love that was aired nationally. The flipside was Good Kind of Hurt. I remember we had it in our 45 collection not long after it came out.
Another early recollection I have of the band is seeing them on the Upbeat TV show based in Cleveland, OH on WEWS Channel 5. After seeing them it finally hit me, Hey! Girls can rock n roll and play guitar too! What a novel concept!
The original line-up included Suzi Quatro (bass & vocals), Patti Quatro (guitar), Nancy Ball (drums) and Mary Lou Ball (guitar), and Diane Baker (keyboards). Eventually Arlene Quatro came on as keyboardist through 1969. (Of note, Arlene married manager Leo Fenn and their daughter is actress Sherilynn Fenn.) Other replacements included sister Nancy Quatro, Darline Arnone on drums and vocals and Eileen Biddlingmeier on rhythm guitar.
By 1970 they adapted the name Cradle and went with a much harder sound. Soon after Suzi left for England and a solo career and Patti went to California (in ’74) to join the all-female rock band Fanny while Suzi launched her solo career that continues to this day.
While they never achieved national superstardom, The Pleasure Seekers rocked the house, with attitude, throughout the Midwest and the east coast during the freewheelin’ sixties and helped pave the road for other all-female bands to come along and be taken seriously as hard rockers.
In 2011 the Quatro sisters issued two retrospective CDs in an attempt to
finally document the history of the two bands they were involved in during the 60′s and early 70′s. The Pleasure Seekers: What A Way To Die covers the singles on Hideout and Mercury along with unreleased cuts from 1964 to 1969. Cradle: The History is a live collection of unreleased original material recorded at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit.
In December 2005 a documentary chronicling Suzi Quatro’s life, Naked Under Leather, directed by former member of The Runaways, Victoria Tischler Blue, appeared. In March 2007, Quatro released a version of the Eagles song Desperado followed by the publication of her autobiography, Unzipped.
Suzi Quatro has sold over 45 million records and was voted into Michigan Rock and Roll Legends in 2011.
SUZI QUATRO today
Tickets to the 2012 Detroit Music Awards are $20. Other musicians on
the bill will include Hip-hop hero Black Milk, garage-girl Amy Gore & Her Valentines, throwback crooner Ben Sharkey, swing group Planet D Nonet and country-twanger Paulina Jayne will all perform. Info at: http://www.detroitmusicawards.com
(c)2012 Doc Lehman/Bangagong!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: "Self-Destruct”, A Filthee Sound, Andrew Diehl, Chase Christie, David Wilson, Demi Darkhart & the Beast of Bailey Downs, Divided They Fall, Dr. Acula, Eyes of Anthea, From Atlantis, Hand of Uziel, Kameron Jenkins, Lakeland, Lamplighters Club, metal, metal core, Modern Day Escape, MXTP Grand Rapids, Oceans Over Earth, Orbit Room, Orrville Ohio, Peabodys, ROCK 'N ROLL, Smithville Ohio, STRUC/TURES, Taken In Vain, The World Inside of Me, Wooster Ohio, Worth The Wait
A young band that are making waves and creating a rapidly expanding fan base have exploded onto the music scene. Taken In Vain, a metal band consisting of members from Orrville and Smithville, Ohio are well on their way with interest and concert and club appearances.
Taken In Vain was formed in 2010 and by 2011 settled into the current solid line-up of Andrew Diehl, 24, on rhythm guitar; Chase Christie, 18, on lead guitar; David Wilson, 21, on vocals and Kameron Jenkins, 17, on drums.
Since that time they are amassing concert and club appearances, have released an original song online and are currently working on an EP release and booking more appearances. They have also begun to issue band merchandise and have two new T-Shirts available.
So how would one categorize Taken In Vain’s music? “Loud, aggressive, dark, melodic, heavy, fast, intricate, harmonized,” explained David Wilson, lead vocalist. “With so many sub-genres out there, we find it hard to identify, so we just call it metal. We draw influences from all over the place in the rock and metal world and beyond.”
“Although some of us listen to and play much heavier stuff sometimes, you’ll typically hear us range all the way from acoustic rock to thrash metal, industrial to metalcore. In a live setting, we’re still establishing our niche but like our music, we’re loud, aggressive, and in your face. Most of all, we just want to get everyone moving and having a good time!”
The band’s first professional gig was at the MXTP venue in Grand Rapids, MI that was met with great success. “The show went phenomenally,” commented David Wilson, lead vocalist. “We were very tight and even had natural stage presence according to those in attendance.” Since then they’ve played elsewhere, including Lakewood, OH and are currently booking upcoming concerts and appearances.
Some of their upcoming appearances include Saturday April 7 beginning at 7:00 PM at the Lamplighters Social Club in Wooster, OH. Appearing with Taken In Vain will be Demi Darkhart & the Beast of Bailey Downs, Worth The Wait, The World Inside of Me, A Filthee Sound and more. Advance tickets are available at $12.00, $15.00 at the door.
Other upcoming appearances will be Friday April 13 at the Orbit Room in Grand Rapids, MI at 6:00 PM. Appearing with Taken In Vain will be STRUC/TURES , Lakeland, Eyes of Anthea, Divided They Fall, Oceans Over Earth and Hand of Uziel. Tickets are $10.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door.
On Friday June 22 Taken In Vain will be performing at Peabody’s in Cleveland, OH starting at 6:00 PM. Also appearing will be Modern Day Escape, Dr. Acula, From Atlantis and other bands to be announced. Tickets are $10.00 advance and $12.00 day of show.
Advance tickets for these shows are available through the band’s website.
The band currently has one song available online, “Self-Destruct” that can be downloaded for only $.50 from the band’s online music store at: http://takeninvain.bandcamp.com “We also have video footage of that song and four others from our January 14th performance at MXTP in Grand Rapids,” said Wilson.
The band is currently in negotiations for several other appearances in Ohio and Michigan and a ‘Mini-Tour’ is a possibility being worked on. For bookings, to order advance tickets and to stay up-to-date on Taken In Vain’s activities, upcoming gigs, merchandise and recordings visit their website at: www.takeninvain.com
(c)2012 Doc Lehman/Bangagong!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: CKLW, Sunoco radio, transistor radio, Westinghouse transistor radio, WHLO, WIXY, Zenith Trans-Oceanic 7000
Late this afternoon my 10-year-old grandson made a proclamation to me: “Grandpa, I know what you can get me for Easter. An I-Pod.” A…. what? I’ve heard of them, but didn’t know precisely what their function was. Hunter explained it.
Oh.
So I asked him, what’s wrong with a transistor radio.
His turn to go, “A….what?”
So I tried to explain to him and then, finally, started digging through containers in the basement and dug put two of my old ones. I dug out new batteries, stuck them in, and damned if they didn’t still work! AM!
(NOTE: They are both pictured here. Click images to enlarge!)
While mildly amused, and at first quite curious, within minutes he said, ‘So, is that all it does?”
After assimilating the information and demonstration, he wasn’t impressed.
But in 1965 I sure was!
For Christmas that year Mom got me my first transistor radio, a small Westinghouse, with an earpiece even! (It measures 2-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ x 1-1/4″). It was green with a green leather carrying case. I was thrilled. Now I could listen to WIXY, WHLO and the Mighty CKLW at night! Without borrowing my older sister Cheryl’s!
I loved that thing and used it constantly. Over the years I recall ending up with a several more transistor radios but none would ever replace that Westinghouse. It always worked, and always had a strong receiver.
I had one other transistor radio that I thought was pretty cool when I first got it, a Sunoco gasoline promotional radio that the stations were giving away if you bought so much gas. They were manufactured to look like Sunoco gas pumps. The Old Man came home one day in 1967 or ’68 with two of them, one for myself and one for my kid brother.
The Sunoco radio was a damn good radio, but nothing compared to the green Westinghouse Mom got me.
.
One thing that was pretty cool about the Sunoco radio in ’67 or ’68 was the pump numbers changed as you moved the tuning knob. It was made in Hong Kong.
.
Having a transistor radio in the 60’s is comparable today of having a cell phone, or Iphone or SmartPhone or whatever the hell they are calling them this week. Transistor radios were first developed in 1954 and soon became the most popular electronic communication device in history, with billions manufactured during the 1960s and 1970s. Of course, it won’t be long and may have already happened, that today’s ‘cell phone’ has eclipsed that.
One thing’s for certain, those small radios communicated to an entire generation during the 60’s. It was the major media for the young generation of the 60’s and it’s impact is likely immeasurable.
42 years ago, in 1970, the last assembly line producing transistor radios in America shut
down. The Zenith Trans-Oceanic 7000 was the last American-made transistor radio on the market.
(c)2012 Doc Lehman/Bangagong!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 40th Anniversary Hot Rocks 1964-1971, Art Garfunkle, Carnegie Hall, Carolina Chocolate Drops, David Johansen, Glen Hansard, Hot Rocks 1964-1971, Ian Hunter & The Rant Band, Jackson Browne, Keith Richards, Marianne Faithful, Michael Dorf, Mick Jagger, Rich Robinson (Black Crowes), Rickie Lee Jones, Rolling Stones, Ronnie Spector, Rosanne Cash, Steve Earle, Taj Mahal, The Mountain Goats, The Rolling Stones
A special March 13 tribute concert at Carnegie Hall, celebrating the music of The Rolling Stones and the 40th Anniversary of the release of their iconic collection Hot Rocks 1964-1971. This tribute concert will be benefiting music & arts programs for underprivileged youth.
The initial, star-studded lineup Ian Hunter & The Rant Band, Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal, Marianne Faithful, David Johansen, Art Garfunkle, Rickie Lee Jones, Rosanne Cash, Steve Earle, Ronnie Spector, Glen Hansard, Rich Robinson (Black Crowes), Carolina Chocolate Drops and The Mountain Goats, with more to be announced soon. The concert will feature 21 artists playing the 21 songs from the album and takes place 48 years after the Rolling Stones made their 1964 Carnegie Hall debut.
Ian Hunter
The concert marks the eighth installment of promoter Michael Dorf’s annual series which raises crucially needed funds for music education programs for underprivileged youth and boasts contributions of over $600,000 to date.
To see who the beneficiaries are or to purchase tickets click HERE
As for the Rolling Stones debut at Carnegie Hall back in 1964:
On June 20, 1964, four months after the Beatles made their much-heralded Carnegie Hall debut, their bad boy counterparts in the British Invasion, the Rolling Stones, took the stage at Carnegie Hall before a packed audience made up of mostly teenaged girls.
Their two shows that day reached a state of near-pandemonium, with girls “swinging their arms and shrieking and standing on their chairs and gyrating,” according to Meet the Rolling Stones-a fanzine about their 1964 tour.
Keith Richards later said of the tour, “America was still very much into Frankie Avalon. There wasn’t any thought of long-haired kids, we were just entertainment-business freaks, with long hair, just like a show.”.
Filed under: FAVORITE FEMALES, Favorite Females Of The 60's | Tags: Batman TV Show, Catwoman, Julie Newmar, Love That Bob
Doc Lehman:
To which I can only reply: Hubbahubbahubbahubbahubbahubba……!
- Julie’s newest book! Buy it! Now!
NOTE: I had been ‘enamored’with Julie Newmar, one of the most beautiful women on the planet, since I first saw her as a kid on the old Love That Bob TV show starring Bob Cummins. My Mom never missed it. And then she appeared on Batman as Catwoman and stole the hearts of millions of boys & men for life. Mine included. I had written an article about her and to get a response is pretty cool! Also, back in 2008 on this website I briefly wrote about her HERE
Click on images to enlarge!
Julie THEN!
Filed under: FAVORITE FEMALES, Favorite Females Of The 60's | Tags: Fantastic Voyage, One Million BC, Raquel Welch, Raquel Welch posters
Putting that post together the other day about Bob Hope’s annual Christmas Show visits to Vietnam, and seeing those photos of Raquel Welch, brought back a pleasant memory. Back in the 1960′s while living out in the country on Millborne Road my kid brother, all of 11 years old I think, spotted an awesome poster of Raquel Welch at a store in Massillon, OH. He bought it!
Cripes, that was cool. A nice poster of Raquel, one of the reigning sex symbols of the 60′s. We were fans of hers from Fantastic Voyage and One Million B.C. movies. Not long afterwards he came across another poster and decided then and there that he would collect Raquel Welch posters. Within a couple years we had moved to Apple Creek and he had assembled a decent collection. Since we shared a room half of the wall space was mine, he asked if he could have extra space to display his Raquel posters.
Duh!
He could have them all.
The one poster that impressed the neighborhood kids and cousins was one of her in skin-tight jeans and a bikini top (see above) that was six feet tall! It covered the bedroom door from top to bottom. Awesome!
Once we moved to Apple Creek we each had our own room for the first time so Raquel and I didn’t see each other much afterwards as my room was filling up with albums, guitars, comic books, rock n roll magazines, paperback books, 8-Tracks, Playboys, ashtrays and anything rock ‘n roll or ‘rebellious’.
But for a few years, Raquel was front and center daily!
I wonder if he still has them? Need to make a call and find out!
(Click on images to enlarge!)
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Jefferson Airplane, Lou Reed, Mott The Hoople, Robert Gordon, rock n roll album advertisements, Rolling Stones, Sly & Family Stone, Uriah Heep
Back in the 60’s & 70’s, decades before the internet and instant access to information, a lot of us didn’t know when bands were putting pout new albums until we heard them on the radio. Some advanced news would filter in a head of time, minimally, in places like Scene, Creem, Circus, Trouser Press, Rock Scene, Hit Parader, etc…
For those of us who bought all those magazines and tabloids (Rolling Stone, Melody Maker, New Musical Express, Sounds) we’d often get advance word that a new album was being released by the record company advertisements that were placed in the media. They were usually timed to see print just weeks prior to releases so we’d have a heads up on what was coming out.
Here is a second round of some random samples of various advertisements hyping new album releases from back in the day as seen in various music publications.
Click on images to enlarge!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Ann Margaret, Bob Hope, Bob Hope Christmas Show, Chrysler, Connie Stevens, Jill St.John, Joey Heatherton, NBC, Raquel Welch, The Golddiggers, USO Vietnam Shows, Vietnam
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 1973 Eldorado Cadillac, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Fox Theater in St. Louis, Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll, Keith Richards, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Taylor Hackford
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture has acquired a 1973 red convertible Eldorado Cadillac belonging to legendary rock ‘n’ roll musician Chuck Berry. The car is part of Berry’s personal fleet of Cadillacs and was driven during the filming of Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll, a 1987 documentary directed by Taylor Hackford that chronicles two 1986 concerts celebrating Berry’s 60th birthday.
In the film, Berry drove this Cadillac onto the stage of the Fox Theater in St. Louis–the same theater that turned him away as a child because of his race.
The acquisition will enter the museum’s musical history collection and help illustrate Berry’s impact on rock ‘n’ roll and popular culture. The car will be on view in the “Musical Crossroads” exhibition when the museum opens. Other items in the collection include Michael Jackson’s fedora, a dress worn by Lena Horne in the film Stormy Weather and Louis Armstrong’s trumpet. The museum is expected to open in Washington, DC in 2015.
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture is expected to open in Washington, DC in 2015 on a prominent space on the National Mall near the Washington Monument. Created by an Act of Congress in 2003, the museum will feature a variety of exhibits and educational programs on topics such as slavery, post-Civil War reconstruction, the Harlem Renaissance, and the civil rights movement. The building design will take up to three years, with construction to begin in 2012. The museum’s total cost is estimated to be $500 million.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture has launched its website, www.nmaahc.si.edu prior to the construction of its building giving the public the opportunity to help shape the museum’s collections and exhibits. This is the first major museum to use the internet to help create a new museum by gathering input from the public.
Filed under: A Date That Will Live In Infamy, SMALL TOWN MEMORIES 60's & 70's | Tags: BEATLES, Charlie 'Mac' McBain, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Guitar Boogie, Jailhouse Rock, John Lenon, Liverpool, New Clubmoor Hall in Norris Green Liverpool, October 18 1957, Paul McCartney, Quarreymen, Sacramento Memorial Auditorium
I should save this for my birthday, but that’s not until October and who knows what will happen between now & then? Anyway, and I may have mentioned this a few years ago here, but the rock n’ roll fever has been burning deep within me as far back as I can remember. Just love the stuff, you know? And I can’t play a note!
Anyway, confirmation I was born under the ‘R & R Sign’ is the fact that the very day I was born (as well as my good pal, Jeannie!) Elvis Presley had the #1 hit in the USA with ‘Jailhouse Rock’. Pretty appropriate. For me, not Jeannie! (I’m a sinner, she’s a saint!)
(Aside: Jeannie is a sweet, sweet person who I went all through high school with. We were born on the same day, in the same hospital and delivered by the same doctor! I just had dinner with her & her husband, Kevin, earlier this evening!)
More proof I was destined to be a rock ‘n roll fanatic is the fact that besides Elvis having the number one hit the day I was born, I also share the same birthday as Chuck Berry (October 18, different year of course) and according to one of my Beatle books the day I was born John Lennon & Paul McCartney perfomed in public together for the very first time as McCartney made his debut as a guitar player in Lennon’s Quarreymen, the forerunner of the Silver Beatles and then of course, The Beatles.
Promoter Charlie ‘Mac’ McBain held regular skiffle and rock events at his venues and on Friday October 18 he ran one such event at the New Clubmoor Hall in Norris Green, Liverpool where McCartney made his live debut with Lennon.
Of that event, McCartney commented on the Anthology DVD:
“For my first gig, I was given a guitar solo on Guitar Boogie. I could play it easily in rehearsal so they elected that I should do it as my solo. Things were going fine, but when the moment came in the performance I got sticky fingers; I thought, ‘What am I doing here?’ I was just too frightened; it was too big a moment with everyone looking at the guitar player. I couldn’t do it. That’s why George was brought in.”
Lennon & McCartney’s stage debut – October 18, 1957
And on that very same day, unknown to me until today (thanks M. L.!), was a, what I would presume, huge concert in Sacramento, CA with nearly every superstar and big star of the day performing at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium in an event promoted by the Sacramento J. C. Student Association. I now know where Chuck Berry celebrated his birthday on the day I was born!
Nope, I never had a chance as the stars were aligned in perfect harmony that autumn Friday to birth me into a rock ‘n roll world. The cruel irony is there was no talent to go with the passion!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 40th Anniversary T Rex Electric Warrior, Beat Club, Marc Bolan, Polydor, T. Rex Electric Warrior Deluxe Edition, Tony Visconti, Top of the Pops TV
Coming for world wide release on May 1, 2012, Polydor will release the reissued 40th Anniversary edition of the iconic T.Rex album Electric Warrior as a 2-CD/1-DVD deluxe box set. Legendary producer Tony Visconti has done the remastering of the LP. The special Disc #2 will include Demos & Out-Takes with 20 of the tracks previously unreleased. The third disc will be a special 40th Anniversary DVD that spotlights ten rare performances as well as promotional videos.
Elton John is seen with the band for “Get It On” from a 1971 Top of the Pops episode. Other performancesncluded are from the aforementoned Top of the Pops TV program and Germany’s Beat Club. Also included will be out-takes from the Empire Pool Wembley, which are out takes from the Born To Boogie film.
The set comes packaged in a lavish box containing a 32-page hardcover book containing new liner notes by Mark Paytress, along with a multitude of photos, memorabilia, a coaster, a poster and a press release replica.
T. Rex, Electric Warrior: Deluxe Edition
Fly Records HIFLY 6, 1971 – reissued Universal/Polydor, 2012
CD 1: Original Album plus Single A & B Sides
Mambo Sun
Cosmic Dancer
Jeepster
Monolith
Lean Woman Blues
Get It On
Planet Queen
Girl
The Motivator
Life’s A Gas
Rip Off
There Was A Time / Raw Ramp (from Bug single BUG 10, 1971)
Hot Love (from Bug single BUG 6, 1971)
King Of The Mountain Cometh (from Bug single BUG 6, 1971)
Woodland Rock (from Bug single BUG 6, 1971)
CD 2: Demos and Outtakes
Electric Warrior Poem – Rare US Radio promo
Mambo Sun – Instrumental
Cosmic Dancer – single-vocal version
Jeepster – single-vocal version
Monolith – no backing vocals version
Lean Woman Blues – single-guitar track – Work in Progress
Get It On – Full Length version
Planet Queen – acoustic version
Girl – New York demo
The Motivator – Work in Progress
Life’s A Gas – Studio out-take
Rip Off – Instrumental
Raw Ramp – London demo version
Electric Boogie – London demo version
Honey Don’t – Studio out-take / Work in Progress
Planet Queen – Acoustic solo / London demo version
Girl – Acoustic solo / London demo version
Jeepster – Electric home demo version
Get It On – Acoustic home demo version
Untitled instrumental – studio out-take
Electric Warrior Poem and radio advert. US Radio promo
DVD:
Hot Love from Top of the Pops, 24th March 1971. First time on DVD
Get It On from Top of the Pops, 20th December 1971 featuring Elton John
Jeepster from Beat Club, Germany. Previously Unseen Blue Screen Version
Life’s A Gas from Beat Club, Germany. Previously Unseen Blue Screen Version
Girl, Live at the Empire Pool Wembley, 18th March 1972
Cosmic Dancer, Live at the Empire Pool Wembley, 18th March 1972
Get It On, Official Promo
Jeepster, Official Promo
Jeepster from Beat Club, Germany. Broadcast version
Life’s A Gas from Beat Club, Germany. Broadcast version
Filed under: DAMAGE: Ohio 70's Bands, OHIO 70's BANDS | Tags: bass player, Bishop Lottie Smith, Damage, Jerry Kirven, Kim Simmonds, Mark Good, Michael Ervin Johnson, Michael Johnson, Rev Jimmy Johnson, Rick Gidley, Rick Thistlethwaite, Rufus Johnson, Savoy Brown, Tiffany Johnson, Tom 'Bones' Morrison
On Wednesday January 25 it will be three years since many of us here in north-central Ohio lost a good friend, who also happened to be perhaps the most natural-born talented bass player ever. Michael Ervin Johnson, only 48, passed on thanks to heart failure.
Still pisses me off.
Back in the 70′s Michael first picked up a bass and was a natural, instantly. He could listen to a tune once and play the bass lines perfectly. Many musicians back in the day remarked how proficient, how effortlessly, how quick to adapt and learn songs he was. A truly gifted musician. And although he didn’t do it often enough, Michael was one hell of a singer, a talent that he shared with his family.
Michael played in a number of bands in the 70′s in our little region of Ohio. He was also a ready substitute and fill in for various bands and while he shown brightly as a full time member of assorted bands and permutations he probably had the most fun and most recognition as a founding member of Damage, a hard rock band out of Wayne County (primarily Orrville & Wooster musicians) that built a solid and popular reputation during the latter years of the 70′s throughout the Wayne County – Canton – Akron – Mansfield region.
In Damage Michael, a black man, played the heaviest, funkiest, sweatiest, crunchiest rock ‘n roll bass riffs around. He was untouchable, as numerous musicians have stated over the years. Talented, gifted, he could play any style of music proficiently, whether it was rock ‘n roll, R & B, funk, soul, gospel, you name it, if Michael liked it, he could play it. He was the USA answer to Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy.
In Damage Michael was often times ‘the show’. Meaning, if the vibe wasn’t quite right, if the crowd was moody or cranky, Michael would slap the crap out of that bass even more and start working his ‘moves’ on stage that nearly always got the crowd in a more festive, and dancing, mood. Yes, Michael knew all about ‘the show’ part of show business and the others did their best to emulate him.
DAMAGE taking no prisoners!
Besides Michael, who also contributed back up vocals, Damage consisted of Jerry Kirven and Mark Good on guitars, drummer Tom ‘Bones’ Morrison and singer Rick Thistlethwaite. Rick Gidley joined the band as the light & sound tech (and many other duties).
Beyond the music, just as a person, Michael Johnson was one hell of a good guy. Have so many good and fun memories of him from back in the day, through high school and just beyond a bit. Michael was cool in a variety of ways, chief among his ‘cools’ was he never showed any pressure, anxiety or worry. He was cool, calm & collected.
And funny as hell!
Damn, we had some good times. (And no, I’m not going to share them with you. Unless you were with us at the time! Since the whole band was involved, I may tell the story of the $2,000 bar tab sometime….)
I’ve lost quite a number of friends over the years and it will likely continue, but sitting here tonight planning my week, it just hit me why January 25 was significant. Michael! Too young.
This website owner (far right), Michael & Castle Theatre manager watch Rick Gidley do all the heavy lifting prior to a gig at the Castle Theatre.
I remember going to the services for Michael and the place was absolutely packed, wall to wall people, standing room only! I had to smile. Of course, everyone loved Michael! The hardest part was watching his family, his siblings, send him off. The wonderful Bishop Lottie Smith handled the services with his brother Rev. Jimmy Johnson reading scriptures while his brother Rufus sang. Oh yeah, can Rufus ever sing. Ask around. As good as Michael was on a bass, Rufus is that good with his voice. Another generation of pure talent who performed was Michael’s niece, Tiffany Johnson.
And of course sister Ruth, a friend from high school, was there to comfort their Mother, Mrs. Gertrude Johnson-Howard, a precious, sweet lady who, over the years, never knew a stranger and welcomed any stray (like myself) who wandered into their home with one of her kids. A beautiful lady (and who graciously sent me one of the sweetiest, most cherished letters afterwards).
Michael left behind his wife, Pamela, and children Erica Johnson, Nathan & Nikolas Johnson. And lots and lots of memories that hundreds of people who knew him will not likely forget.
How good was Michael Johnson as a bass player? No less than Kim Simmonds, legendary lead guitarist of the British Blues Band, Savoy Brown, once commented about Michael after watching him perform with Damage: “Why the hell isn’t he in the big time? He’s amazing! That kid can go far, he feels the music. He’s bloody damn well good, he is.”
Yeah, Michael was that good.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Bangagong, Disturbing the peace, Get It On, T.Rex music
Click on image to enlarge!
Filed under: Uncategorized
All Good Vibrations & Positive Energy & Good Things To You Lauren!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Alice Cooper, Axl Rose, Bruce Springsteen, Curt Cobain, Debbie Harry, Eddie Van Halen, James Hetfield/Metallica, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, John Lennon, Neil Young, Paul McCartney, Paul Stanley, rock star high school photos, Steven Tyler
Everyone has ‘skeletons’ in their closet…. like old photgraphs from grade school, junior high and high school. As part of the Class of ’76 our 35th reunion was held several months ago and the glancing through a yearbook from back in the day and seeing the same folks 35 years later…. can be alarming, amusing & amazing. (Some people age better than others. I am not part of the former.)
Anyway, here’s a slew of grade school and high school photos of some rock star icons. Recognize any of them? Identifications at bottom of this post. Click on images to enlarge!
1) Neil Young 2) Janis Joplin 3) Steven Tyler 4) Debbie Harry 5) James Hetfield/Metallica 6) John Lennon 7) Paul McCartney 8)Axl Rose 9) Alice Cooper 10) Jim Morrison 11) Bruce Springsteen 12) Paul Stanley 13) Curt Cobain 14) Eddie Van Halen
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Bangagong Get It On, Bill Legend, Billboard, Blondie, Burt Collins, Bush, Fly Records, Howard Kaylan, Ian McDonald, Joe Perry Project, Marc Bolan, Mark Volman, Mickey Finn, Reprise records, Rick Wakeman, Roy Thomas Bkaer, Sanatna, Steve Currie, T. Rex, Tony Visconti
40 years ago this month, T.Rex’s ‘Bangagong (Get It On)’, one of my all-time favorite songs (gee, ya think?) hit the USA Billboard Top Ten charts. While it ‘only’ reached as high as #8 in the USA charts, it was a huge million-selling plus mega-hit in Britain. The song, which clocks in at 4:25 has now become an iconic song of the 70’s and of British rock ‘n roll.
‘Bangagong (Get It On)’, which appeared on T.Rex’s Electric Warrior album, was released as single on the Fly label in the IK and Reprise in the USA. Written by Marc Bolan, of course, the track was produced by Tony Visconti and engineered by Roy Thomas Baker.
Besides Bolan the T.Rex band who recorded this included Mickey Finn, percussionist; Bill Legend, drums and Steve Currie, Bass. Background vocals were by the Turtles’/Flo & Eddie’s Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman. Playing saxophone the track is Ian McDonald, who co-founded King Crimson and Foreigner with Rick Wakeman on piano and Burt Collins on flugelhorn. percussionist percussionist percussionist
Over the years the song has been used in films, television, commercials and a number of bands and performers have recorded their own versions.
In 1971, British band Top of the Poppers covered “Get It On” on their Top of the Pops, Volume 18 album. When Blondie’s 1978 classic Parallel Lines was reissued a live recording of the song was included as a bonus song. In 1979 Witch Queen released a disco version while soon after Joe Perry recorded for his Joe Perry Project album Once A Rocker, Always A Rocker. In the past dozen years or so it’s also been recorded by The Boomtang Boys, Los Bunkers, Ministry, Cinema Bizarre, Porno Graffiti and in 2010 Carlos Santana recorded for his Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time with Bush’s Gavin Rossdale on lead vocals.
Fly Records – UK 45 RPM Record Sleeve
The song was featured in many films, including The Stoned Age (1994), Blue Juice (1995), Billy Elliot (2000), The Trip (2002), Meet the Fockers (2004), Flying Boys (2004), Jarhead (2005), The Bank Job (2008) and Barney’s Version (2010) and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2010).
Get it on, indeed!
‘Get It On’ UK Chart History
