Genre As Hall Of Fame Recepient
Current mood: pensive
Category: Music

Think of this: The Beatles first appear on The Ed Sullican Show on a Sunday evening in February of 1964. For American kids this sets off an immediate firestorm of inspiration and visions previously never imagined - and subsequent sales in music stores everywhere of cheap guitars, basses, amps, drums, organs, tambourines and maracas. They practiced in their parents garages. For three years the American garage band places hit after hit on pop radio in this country. For every 45 that was a hit there were hundreds that weren't. 'Tons of well written and performed gems, others that were clunky to one degree or another. All were charming, passionate and intense.

The American response in this way to The British invasion was a phenomenon that fiercely came and went roughly in the space of three years. Everything changed. If you experienced it in any way directly you know just how amazing all this was. The first Nuggets box sets on Rhino documenting the American hits from the era is, to me, the finest, most genuine rock n'roll box set there is. Period. The other great series such as Pebbles document the non-hits - the wonderful slices of period history.

It occured to me that this phenomenon - again an example of the testament to far reaching influence of The Beatles first, then The Rolling Stones, The Dave Clark Five, The Kinks and The Who - has not been properly addressed and honored. 'And I thought, "What if The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame honored this genre?" Since there was no real "King Of Garage" who might be the one to receive the award on behalf of every teenage kid who ever asked his parents for a Harmony guitar for Christmas in December, 1964? You know there were thousands of them.

Well, who then? Maybe Lenny Kaye for assembling the original NUGGETS double LP released on Elektra Records in 1972? Or should it be a band or band member that most typified that passionate time?

What do you think?

Currently listening : Sixties Rebellion, Vol. 6: The Biker By Various Artists

12:16 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

John Stewart, A True Folk Music Hero Has Passed.
Category: Music

   John Stewart, who came into prominence as Dave Guard's replacement in The Kingston Trio, passed away on Saturday, January 19th. He had suffered a massive stroke this past Thursday. He resided with his wife, Buffy Ford, in San Diego. He was 68.

   As a member of The Cumberland Three, John had already contributed a song to The Kingston Trio. Upon Dave Guard's departure, John was the natural choice to replace him. This second version of the group was easily as strong as the first. John's style was as indentifiable in it's way as Dave's had been. "Greenback Dollar" was immediate, inarguable proof of that.

   He became a solo artist after the breakup of The Kingston Trio in 1967. He made albums for Capitol (including "California Bloodlines"), Warner Brothers, RCA, and in the seventies found himself with a huge pop radio hit on the RSO label entitled "Gold". That however, was not his first success in the pop.world. He penned "Daydream Believer" - still one of The Monkees' most durable tracks.

   John Stewart was an influence on me from the beginning. I was impressed with the wit and humor displayed on the 1963 "College Concert" album recorded at UCLA. I was haunted by the "16" Lp from the same year - especially John's song, "Run The Ridges". 'Think the commercial folk boom of the early sixties was trite? Try that album.

   I admired him. Thank you for everything, John. Carry on.

Currently listening : Kingston Trio 16/Sunny Side! By The Kingston Trio Release date: 11 April, 2000

10:52 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

I Was A Teenage Zombie...Twice, In Fact!
Current mood: Need a bowl of Thai lemongrass soup
Category: Need a bowl of Thai lemongrass soup Movies, TV, Celebrities

Somehow - don't ask me why - I was handed a part in a local film yesterday and another one today which has nothing to do with the first one. Remarkably, zombies are the subject of each.

In the first one, I play a 1950's scientist (to be shot in black and white obviously) who presents some sort of data and does voiceover as well.

In the second one, my co-worker is a zombie. We both work in a music store.

I don't get it but I'm not complaining....

Can I PLEASE get my SAG card now?

Currently listening : Changes By The Monkees Release date: 20 September, 1994

10:58 PM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment