Friday, March 1, 2013

The Friday Flash

re: RECENT AND UP-COMING EVENTS:     
Yesterday we told you about Howard Kaylan's new book, "Shell Shocked: My Life with the Turtles, Flo and Eddie, and Frank Zappa, etc.", coming out in April.   
Well, now you've got a chance to spend an evening with Howard ... as he talks about life with The Turtles, Frank Zappa and beyond. (He'll even do a stripped-down set of music ... and Q&A with the audience as part of the show!) Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see one of our '60's favorites ... full details below. (And if you DO decide to take in this evening of entertainment, please drop us a line with a full review!) kk  

An Evening With Howard Kaylan  
Presented By American Express  
Tuesday, April 2, 2013; 8:00 p.m.  
If Howard Kaylan had sung only one song, the Turtles’ 1967 number-one smash hit “Happy Together,” his place in rock-and-roll history would still be secure. But that recording, named by BMI as one of the top 50 songs of the 20th century, with more than 5 million radio plays, is only the tip of a most remarkable iceberg. Most artists would have been happy for the five-year success that the Turtles enjoyed, but for Kaylan, that run at the top of the charts was only the beginning. After Turtles broke up in 1970 Kaylan, along with career-long partner Mark Volman, surprised the rock world by joining Frank Zappa’s group the Mothers of Invention. Overnight, Howard’s squeaky-clean image as an AM radio hitmaker was turned inside out. Hosted by GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli, hear Kaylan talk about his place at the vortex of rock culture since the heady 1960s, how he remains immersed in that culture today and his memoir, Shell Shocked: My Life with the Turtles, Flo and Eddie, and Frank Zappa, etc. Written with music journalist Jeff Tamarkin, Shell Shocked will stand alone as not only one of the best-told music-biz memoirs, but as a candid and unmatchable story of rock-and-roll insanity and success from a man who glories in it all. After the discussion, Kaylan with take audience questions and perform a stripped down set.
Doors open at 7:00 pm. American Express presale tickets are $20 and can be purchased online by American Express Card members starting Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at noon. Public onsale is Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. American Express ticket purchasers will also receive a special gift. All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum. For more information, please call (213.765.6803) or visit grammymuseum.org   

Got this from a couple of readers yesterday ... the end of an era to be sure.  
Click here: Historic KHJ Radio Tower Demolished | KTLA 5  
Well I guess all the Kindness, Happiness, and Joy has officially left LA (although I suspect that happened years ago).  
- Bish   
WRLR 98.3 FM      

Mack, Jack & McConaughey Announce John Mellencamp to Headline Gala Night at ACL Live at the Moody Theater

MJ&M Events in Austin, Texas to Benefit Children’s Charities Across the United States  
AUSTIN, Texas – Mack, Jack & McConaughey (MJ&M), the joint fundraising effort of actor Matthew McConaughey, recording artist Jack Ingram, and The University of Texas Head Football Coach Mack Brown, announced today that Grammy Award-winning artist John Mellencamp will headline its Gala Night on April 11, 2013 as part of MJ&M’s inaugural, two-day event in Austin, Texas. Opening for John Mellencamp will be Austin's own Dale Watson.  
MJ&M is the first ever joint fundraising effort by Mack, Jack, and Matthew and will support organizations that positively impact the lives of children from across the country. MJ&M will take place on April 11-12, 2013 with multiple celebrity-filled, one-of-a-kind events throughout Austin, including the MJ&M Gala Night on April 11 at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. Concert tickets will go on sale to the public this Friday, March 1, at 10 a.m. CST on www.ACL-Live.com.  
“John is one of my all-time favorite musicians and a man I call a friend,” said McConaughey. “He’s someone who has put his best foot forward to help others in need and I am honored and proud to have him perform at this event.”
Over the course of a career that has spawned numerous hit records and platinum albums, John Mellencamp has been honored as the recipient of the Billboard Century Award, ASCAP Foundation's Champion Award, The Woody Guthrie Award, Q Magazine's Classic Songwriter Award, Americana Music Association's Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting, and the John Steinbeck Award. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Mellencamp has 13 Grammy nominations to his credit.  
The Gala Night kicks off two days of events including the MJ&M Celebrity Classic Golf Tournament at Barton Creek Resort, an Exclusive Fashion Show with Lela Rose presented by Reliant at Neiman Marcus, and a Jack & Friends concert at ACL Moody Theater with Jack Ingram featuring Kris Kristofferson on April 12. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact 
info@mackjackmcconaughey.org.  
MJ&M works to impact the lives of kids by investing in programs dedicated to empowering children. MJ&M proceeds support causes selected by Sally & Mack Brown, Amy & Jack Ingram, and Camila & Matthew McConaughey’s just keep livin foundation that sets up after school fitness and wellness programs in inner-city high schools.  

re: THIS IS KINDA COOL:  
This is a wonderful glimpse at the film stars of yesteryear and continue to modern times.  
The images morph from person to person and moves fairly quickly so you need to watch carefully. It lists year of birth and if appropriate year of death. For those still with us it lists their age.  
http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/Q5XetQeFu-0&autoplay=1  
Very well done ... and a nice tribute. (kk) 

re: AND SOME MORE SAD NEWS:


Dan Toler Dead: Former Allman Brothers Guitarist Dies At Age 65 After Battle With Lou Gehrig's Disease Dan Toler passed away at the age of 65 after battling ALS.  
Former Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dan Toler has died at the age of 65, reports Billboard.com.   
Steve Fayette, a friend of Toler's, confirmed on Feb. 25 that Toler passed away in his sleep after a two-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.  
According to Rolling Stone, Toler joined the Allman Brothers in 1979, and played on their comeback album "Enlightened Rogues," as well as their 1980 album, "Reach for the Sky," and the following year's "Brother of the Road."  
His battle with ALS was particularly difficult for the musician, as the disease eventually left him unable to speak and unable to play guitar, his close friend Chaz Trippy told Ticket Sarasota.   
Singer and actress Bonnie Bramlett, who performed at the two-day Dan Toler ALS Support Benefit Concert Festival at Herschberger Ranch in Sarasota in November 2011, had to choke back tears when she recalled playing the benefit alongside the musician, who was restricted to a wheelchair, but at the time still able to play guitar.  
“To see how Danny walked tall through that disease and play guitar so beautifully with his blue eyes burning that night. What a hero," she told the website. “He really showed people how to live, and how to die. He really made you check yourself. What a great man and a great musician.” A post on his official Facebook page reads, “It is with great regret and sadness that our dear friend and loved one, Dan Toler, passed away peacefully in his sleep last night. Future service to be announced. Please keep Debbie and the family in your prayers. We would also ask at this time that you would respect the family’s privacy. The Toler family thanks you for all your love and support.” 
dan toler dead
Allman Brothers Band (l to r) Mike Lawler, Dave Goldflies, Gregg Allman, Butch Trucks, Dickey Betts, Dan Toler, Dave Toler

-- submitted by Bill Hengels       

And a rough week for fans of The Temptations ... 
Ron Smith reports:   
Damon Harris, Temptations member from 1971 to 1975 on "Superstar" (#18 - 1971), "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" (#1 - 1972) and "Masterpiece" (#7 - 1973), died Monday (February 18) from prostate cancer, at the age of 61. Damon joined the Temps at the age of 20 as the second replacement for Eddie Kendricks. He later went on to form the groups Impact and The Young Temps (Young Vandals).   
And Richard Street, who replaced Paul Williams in the Temptations in mid-1971, passed away from a pulmonary embolism Wednesday (February 27) The Detroit native was 70. Richard sang on those same hits -- "Superstar" (#18 - 1971), "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" (#1 - 1972) and "Masterpiece" (#7 - 1973) as Damon. He had sung in an early predecessor to the Temps with Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin (who was his cousin), worked in quality control for Motown Records, then joined the Monitors -- who charted with "Greetings (This is Uncle Sam)" (#100 - 1966). Richard famously sang Paul Williams' parts offstage in concert while Paul was too ill to sing. Richard stayed with the group until 1993 when he left after being criticized for missing concerts after having kidney stones removed. He was married to Velvelettes lead singer Carolyn "Cal" Gill from 1969 to 1983.