Friday, May 17, 2019

The Friday Flash


A day after Mick Jagger posted a video of himself showing off his dance moves, The Rolling Stones released the list of their rescheduled tour dates due to Jagger’s unexpected heart surgery postponement.  
Tickets for previous dates will be honored at all venues … and if for any reason these new dates don’t work for you, Ticketmaster will refund your account for the tickets purchased.
This time around, the tour kicks off in Chicago (which is where it was originally supposed to wrap up the first time around.)  It now closes in Miami, which was the original launch city.  (Our FH Buddy Chet Coppock, who had seen The Stones 30-35 times over the years … and had tickets for this upcoming show as well ... told me that he was absolutely certain that The Stones wanted to close the tour in Chicago, a city for whom they always had a great deal of affection, so that they could officially announce their retirement after the last gig.  Now that things have flip-flopped, this may no longer be the case … but then again I wouldn’t put it past The Stones to add one more "surprise" date as a grand finale, enabling them to return to The Windy City should such an announcement truly be in the cards.)

The complete, revamped schedule is shown below … 
Along with a look at Mick Jagger’s “Look At Me … I’m Fine!” dance video!  (kk) 

Rolling Stones 2019 No Filter U.S. Tour (rescheduled dates) 
June 21 – Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field
June 25 – Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field
June 29 – Ontario, Canada @ Burl’s Creek
July 3 – Washington, DC @ FedExField
July 7 – Foxboro, MA @ Gillette Stadium
July 14 – New Orleans, LA @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome (Tickets on sale May 31st at 10am local time)
July 19 – Jacksonville, FL @ TIAA Bank Field
July 23 – Philadelphia, PA @ Lincoln Financial Field
July 27 – Houston, TX @ NRG Stadium
August 1 – East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium
August 5 – East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium
August 10 – Denver, CO @ Broncos Stadium at Mile High
August 14 – Seattle, WA @ CenturyLink Field
August 18 – Santa Clara, CA @ Levi’s®️ Stadium
August 22 – Pasadena, CA @ The Rose Bowl
August 26 – Glendale, AZ @ State Farm Stadium
August 31 – Miami, FL @ Hard Rock Stadium





Speaking of vintage, dinosaur rockers, did you happen to see The Who performing (with childrens’ instruments and The Roots) on Jimmy Fallon the other night?
Who’d have EVER thought that these guys, now in their 70’s, would still be rockin’ out to a whole new generation of fans!  (And clearly, old Who habits die hard as Roger Daltrey still belts out the lyrics to “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” even in the most stripped-down arrangement imaginable … while Pete Townshend can't resist smashing his toy guitar as part of the grand finale.
Check it out!



Here’s a bit of news that’s both sad and interesting at the same time …
After years of some VERY successful Moody Blues Cruises, Justin Hayward and John Lodge are each doing SEPARATE cruises this year.
Both are offering stellar line-ups of musicians … but it’s too bad they seem unwilling to perform together again.
John Lodge has announced that he will be on the ’70s Rock & Romance Cruise, sailing out of Miami, February 15th - 22nd, 2020, on the wonderful Celebrity Infinity.  John will be performing his Moodies hits and more with his 10,000 Light Years Band during two FULL LENGTH shows!
Joining John on this cruise are Cheap Trick (special appearance 2/18), America, Don Felder (formerly of The Eagles), Randy Bachman (founder of Bachman-Turner Overdrive and The Guess Who), Todd Rundgren, Jefferson Starship, Rita Coolidge, Ambrosia and so much more!  And, as always, he’ll be enjoying the cruise with you and looks forward to seeing you around the ship!
(Other upcoming events featuring John and his 10,000 Light Years Band are shown below.)
This Feel Good Party at Sea is on the Celebrity Infinity, renowned for its modern luxury, and you will also get to enjoy the wonderful ports of San Juan, Samana and Labadee.
Go to http://www.rockandromancecruise.com/lodgefan for more info!
(Book using the promo code LODGEFAN for special savings on this once in a lifetime cruise!)
John Lodge and his 10,000 Light Years Band are also scheduled to appear:
June 12th at The Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, PA
June 14th at The Brockhaven Amphitheater in Farmingville, NY
June 15th at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City, NJ
June 18th at The PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ
June 20th at Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY
June 21st at Stage AE in Pittsburgh, PA
July 12th at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL
July 13th at The Hard Rock in Hollywood, FL
July 18th at St. Augustine Amphitheatre in St. Augustine, FL
July 20th at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, TX
July 21st at The Walmart Amphitheater in Rogers, AR
July 24th at Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, AZ
July 26th at The Joint / Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV
July 27th at Five Point Amphitheater in Irvin, CA
July 28th at Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA 

Meanwhile, Justin Hayward (billing himself as “The Voice Of The Moody Blues”) departs on the “On The Blue Cruise,” booking now at www.onthebluecruise.com for their April 1st – April 8th, 2020, making stops at St. Maarten, St. Thomas USVI and Great Stirrup Cay.
Also onboard:  The Zombies, Alan Parsons, Art Garfunkel, Dave Mason, Glenn Hughes, Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes, The Orchestra, Colin Blunstone, Al Stewart, Wishbone Ash, David Pack’s Legends Live, Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre Band, Poco, Orleans, Firefall, The Babys, Pat Travers, Focus and many more. 

Can’t decide which cruise to take???
Then book ‘em both!!!  What a GREAT line-up of musicians!  (kk) 

Southern Rock Legends Black Oak Arkansas Return With New Album “Underdog Heroes”!
First full-length album of all new recordings in more than 30 years! 
Southern Rock legends Black Oak Arkansas return with their first full-length album of all new recordings in more than 30 years! Founding members Jim “Dandy” Mangrum (vocals) and Rickie Lee Reynolds (guitar) have been keeping the spirit of BOA alive and their songwriting partnership makes this album an essential release in the band's much heralded catalog!
“Underdog Heroes” includes a very special recording of virtuoso guitarist Shawn Lane, regarded by many as one of the fastest guitar players to ever live, and a member of the BOA clan since 1978 until his passing in 2003!
Available from Purple Pyramid Records on both CD and a special limited edition GOLD vinyl pressing (only 300 made)!

Track List:
1. Don't Let It Show
2. Underdog Heroes
3. Channeling Spirits
4. Ruby's Heartbreaker
5. The Wrong Side Of Midnight
6. The Devil's Daughter feat. Sammy B. Seauphine
7. Arkansas Medicine Man
8. Do Unto Others feat. Shawn Lane
9. You Told Me You Loved Me
10. Love 4 Rent
11. The 12 Bar Blues
12. Johnnie Won't Be Good
 


A WEE HISTORY OF BLACK OAK ARKANSAS … 
In the year 1963, some high school pals decided to get together to form a group because of their love of music. After 53 years, several dozen albums … three of which became gold, one of which became platinum, and one gold single from a song known as “Jim Dandy To The Rescue,” which was told to them to record by none other than Elvis Presley himself (!) … this group of friends still manages to stay together. (After talking to Elvis about this song, Black Oak Arkansas was told the following week by their producer, Tom Dowd, and by their label president, Ahmet Ertegun, that these two industry giants were also about to ask BOA about recording that same tune! Ahmet himself only personally signed five groups to recording contracts in his long, long recording history … and Black Oak Arkansas had the honor of being number 5!)
Many testimonials and awards have been presented to this band by everyone from Bill Graham, (who founded and ran Winterland Ballroom and both the Fillmore East and West), to Wolfman Jack from the Midnight Special; from First Lady Betty Ford to President Bill Clinton!
In their long musical history, the BOA boys have shared a stage with the likes of James Gang, Kiss, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, King Crimson, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Black Sabbath, Foghat, Bad Company, Bruce Springsteen, Boston, Iron Butterfly, Grand Funk Railroad, B.B. King, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, The Outlaws, Deep Purple, .38 Special, Marshall Tucker, Buddy Miles, Billy Preston, Jerry Lee Lewis, BTO, Robin Trower, Humble Pie, Earth, Wind and Fire, The Eagles, Blackfoot, Creedence Clearwater, Johnnie Winter, Edgar Winter, Rick Derringer, Steppenwolf, Allman Bros., The Doobie Brothers, ZZ Top, Chuck Berry, Lynyrd Skynyrd , Charlie Daniels, James Brown, Steely Dan, J. Geils Band, Cheech and Chong, Steve Martin, Danny Thomas, Evel Knievel , and the list goes on and on and on!
Warner Bros. released a DVD on the early years of the band, and then charged forth with another release of a Black Oak Arkansas DVD live at Royal Albert Hall in London! BOA has donated many hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities in their career, and both the mayor of Little Rock and the Governor of the State of Arkansas even declared a “Black Oak Arkansas Day” on October 6th. There is now a permanent display in the Arkansas State Museum and the Barton Coliseum in Little Rock, Arkansas, dedicated to the band.
Black Oak Arkansas continue to tour around the US to enthusiastic audiences!
Buy the CD: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/black-oak-arkansas-underdog-heroes-cd/ 
Buy the vinyl: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/black-oak-arkansas-underdog-heroes-limited-edition-gold-vinyl/ Stream/download: https://orcd.co/underdogheroes
Black Oak Arkansas official website: http://boa.outoftheashes.net/  
What a remarkable career this band his had!  We all tend to think of them as a One Hit Wonder (but a pretty sizeable hit it was … “Jim Dandy” reached #12 on the national charts in early 1974, despite a #25 showing in Billboard.)  It has already received 68 of your votes in our Top 3333 Most-Essential Classic Rock Songs poll.  (Speaking of which … have YOU voted yet???  More info to come as we move forward with our quest to determine once and for all the most important classic rock songs of all time!  But you can still get YOUR votes in now ... by emailing your selections to classicrockvote@yahoo.com.  Do it now!!!)  kk 

We recently told you about the new massive Woodstock 50th Anniversary that Rhino is releasing this August ... 38 CD's capturing the entire three-day event (minus three songs that had to be omitted either for technical reasons or clearane issues.)

FH Reader Ken Voss (who publishes the Jimi Hendrix "Voodoo Child" newsletter) offers up this review ...   

WOODSTOCK 50TH ANNIVERSARY BOX SET

While you could have attended the original Woodstock concert in 1969 for $6 - 8 per day, you can now relive the experience – without the rain, mud, lack of food and shelter – for only $800! Twice the price of the current Woodstock 50 festival planned.
Rhino Records has announced a massive Woodstock — Back to the Garden — The Definitive 50th Anniversary Archive box set, due out August 2nd.
The mammoth collection consists of 432 tracks spread over 38 CDs, with 267 recordings totaling over 20 hours never-before released. Each of the 32 artists who performed over the course of that legendary weekend in August 1969 is represented in chronological order, including full performances by the likes of Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Baez, The Band, Grateful Dead, The Who, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Even crowd and stagehand chatter from microphones setup around the festival grounds and stage announcements from stage manager John Morris and lighting director Chip Monck (like the infamous “flat blue acid” warning) have been preserved. Here’s a link to the complete track list: https://www.rhino.com/…/woodstock-back-to-the-garden-the-de…
Producer Andy Zax, sound producer Brian Kehew, and mastering engineer Dave Schultz located over 60 multi-track reels recorded by Eddie Kramer and Lee Osborne, plus 100 soundboard reels taken by the stage crew. They avoided tampering with the tapes as much as possible, leaving the audio defects in place like “the sonic equivalent of heirloom tomatoes — slightly imperfect, but delicious.”
While they did not include Kramer in the project, Eddie recalls in an interview in Goldmine magazine of how he even got involved in the original concert recording process, “I guess it all goes back to the time when I was working, more or less, underneath the stage at the Fillmore East. Because there they had this little system set up as a recording device, with an 8-track tape machine and a 12-channel console (12-inputs and 8-outputs). And I used to do a lot of live recordings underneath the stage at the Fillmore, and that was the gear that they sent up to Woodstock. So I guess with that in mind, the film director, Michael Wadleigh, kind of knew of my live recording and that, in combination with the fact that Jimi Hendrix was going to close the show, I guess that gave them the idea, ‘Well, we might as well get Kramer to do it.’”
Aside from the 38 CDs, the Back to the Garden also includes the director’s cut of Michael Wadleigh’s Oscar-winning Woodstock documentary, as well as a hardbound copy of Michael Lang’s book Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace & Music; along with a replica of the original program, posters, a reprint of a diary written by then 17-year-old Kevin Marvelle during the festival, two 8x10 prints from legendary rock photographer Henry Diltz, and essays by Andy Zax, acclaimed music scribe Jesse Jarnow, and trailblazing rock critic Ellen Sander, a guitar strap, and a recreation of an actual attendee’s diary as also part of the package, all housed in a screen-printed and numbered plywood box with canvas insert. And get this, the whole thing is limited to just 1,969 copies worldwide, priced at $799.98.
Ahead of the full set’s release, three scaled-down versions will be available on June 28th: a 10-CD Experience edition and a Collection configuration available on either five LPs or three CDs.
The 10 CD package will include 162 songs (track list: https://www.rhino.com/…/woodstock-back-to-the-garden-50th-a…). While full performances are not included, most artists are represented with three or four songs from their sets.This set retails for $149.98
No Hendrix material will be included on the 3CD release (https://store.rhino.com/…/woodstock-back-to-the-garden-50th…). With the 42 songs included, many are remembered fondly from being included in the original Woodstock movie including Richie Havens, Santana, Country Joe, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Joe Cocker, Ten Years After, etal. That set will retail for $34.98, with a 5LP edition for $124.98.
You can check out a trailer for the set at: https://youtu.be/b2FpYymgB9s. Rhino is currently taking pre-orders, as the 38 CD box set will be limited to 1,969 (get it, 1969!). As a bonus, Rhino.com orders will come with four exclusive Dale Saltzman 18x15 lithographs, based on banners that were onsite at the original festival. For further information and to pre-order: https://www.rhino.com/woodstock50

Ken also sent us this commentary ...   

With all the hassles of Woodstock 50, and that Michael Lang may not be able to pull off even though there's been over $30-million already invested and all the artists have been paid in advance (All performers -- including Jay-Z, Santana, Miley Cyrus, The Killers, Chance the Rapper, John Fogerty, Janelle Monae, Dead & Company, Halsey, and Imagine Dragons -- have been paid in advance),   he says he needs another $30-million ( Lang has insisted Woodstock 50 will go on, but he reportedly needs $30 million more to make it happen. -- in addition to the $30 million Dentsu already spent on artists) , with ticket prices inferred to be in the $450 range if it comes off (https://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/2019/05/will-2019-woodstock-festival-go-on-court-battle-set-for-monday.html), here's a great commentary on why it shouldn't happen:

Sage Lewandowski has posted one of the best editorial commentaries on Woodstock 50 – “Legacy of Woodstock Not Suitable for 2019”

The Woodstock Music and Art Fair was a concert that defined a generation. Thousands of music and peace-loving men, women and children part of the hippie counterculture flocked to Max and Miriam Yasgur’s Bethel, New York farm for three days of blissful freedom, exploration and performances by some of the most legendary artists of all time. 

The rain, mud, crowds, Volkswagen Microbuses carrying hordes of flower-children and the anti-war sentiment in a world on the verge of positive change; it all created a magic that is almost impossible to revive or recreate. However, promoters of the Woodstock brand tried to rejuvenate the iconic festival for its upcoming 50th anniversary. 

 The promotion failed when partner Dentsu Aegis Network’s Amplifi Live revealed they were no longer backing the festival, stating that they didn’t believe they could put on a show that lives up to the Woodstock name. The festival was canceled until further notice, but promoter Michael Lang stated publicly, “We are committed to ensuring that the 50th anniversary of Woodstock is marked with a festival deserving of its iconic name and place in American history and culture.”

As a teenager, I remember my father teaching me about Woodstock, showing me the footage of all types of people dancing and uniting in love and a common cause. Clouds of smoke billowed through the air, women who looked like gypsies danced in long and colorful skirts shaking tambourines with the music. Children ran naked and free. I remember thinking, “I was I was there!” 

Headliners such as Janis Joplin, Joan Baez, the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix and Santana sang with passion. Their lyrics held substance. They sang about peace, love and equality. They sang to change things in the world. 

The proposed Woodstock 2019 lineup before cancellations included acts such as Miley Cyrus, The Lumineers, Chance the Rapper and Halsey. As much as I enjoy listening to today’s music, it is mostly entertainment. That’s it. There’s no call to action. Most of today’s artists don’t tell you to love your brother or stare in wonder at the beauty of the natural world. 

The original Woodstock of 1969, took place in a time when our country was fighting the spread of communism in Vietnam. A wave of young souls who celebrated peace, the hippie counterculture, expanded their minds through the use of psychedelics and protested the injustices carried out by the establishment, or “the man”, was sweeping through the nation. And they did not just talk about peace, they shouted for it. Hundreds of thousands of hippies took to the streets in 1965 alone to protest the Vietnam War, according to the History Channel. 
It is summer and that means festival season is upon us. Huge events like Coachella, Bonnaroo, Burning Man and Electric Daisy Carnival are top picks for festivals among young crowds who take to these venues, clad in special festival attire and equipped with smartphone cameras and GoPros. They may look down at their phones and see a notification of the latest school shooting or crime against humanity, only to swipe it away and load a picture to Instagram. 

Today’s Woodstock would be seen through the eyes of a camera lens or Snapchat story. The raw energy, organic atmosphere and spirit of a festival this acclaimed through the years would be lost on the apathetic youth of today. The true magic of the original Woodstock was that there were no smartphones. Concert-goers were motivated to enjoy their psychedelic experience for reasons other than Instagram clout. People danced in the rain to the sounds of change without posing for a camera, they danced for themselves. 





Thursday, May 16, 2019

Remembering Doris Day



>>>One of the first celebrities to speak out after hearing the news was Paul McCartney, a Doris Day friend and fan for many years.   (kk)

kk –
It doesn't seem like these two would be friends.
FB 
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/8733533/Doris-Day-and-Paul-McCartney-in-conversation.html?fbclid=IwAR0wU0XF7iaxDeP4-WV0epruO4sRst50qotTz7xy1Y7hdyc3hSMBQwSy-30 

Oh, I don’t know about that … both Doris Day and The McCartneys were HUGE animal rights activists … and Paul grew up listening to this kind of music and fell in love with it as a kid.  (Keep in mind he’s the guy who “peppered” The Beatles’ catalog with 1920’s-sounding hits like “When I’m 64,” “Your Mother Should Know,” “Honey Pie” and the like.)
Family sing-alongs were always a big thing in the McCartney household … and they still sing a few rounds of these early classics when they get together in the pubs in Liverpool to this day.  (Check out the James Paul McCartney TV special from 1973 or, more recently, his Carpool Karaoke return home visit with James Corden.)
I think this is a GREAT interview, by the way.  I love the fact that Paul is interviewing Doris … asking the things HE would like to know more about.  (When you think about all the interviews McCartney has done in his lifetime … tens, if not hundreds of thousands … it’s interesting to see the tables turned and find out the kind of questions he put together on his own.)
I’ll never forget one of the most striking interviews I ever read with The Beatles … and think about this … at the peak of Beatlemania in 1964 they traveled the world and were besieged in every city not only by teenage girls but also by television, newspaper and radio reporters, sticking microphones in their faces, trying to capture just a unique word or two with one of The Fabs.  Most just wanted the same information … everything from “When are you going to get a haircut?” to “What kind of girls do you like?” to “What’s your favorite color?” to “What’s your favorite food?” … again and again and again ad nauseum.
At one of these insane, madhouse session, John Lennon was asked “Can you think of a question you haven’t been asked yet?” … pretty heady stuff for a 24 year kid thrust into the worldwide spotlight and living the life of non-stop celebrity … to which he replied “No … not even that one.”
The fact that this interview took place exactly ten years ago is perhaps the more amazing part.  Doris was releasing a new album, featuring songs written by some of the most contemporary artists of the day.
Paul, several years before, had written and produced a song for another one of his early female idols, Peggy Lee.  (“Let’s Love”)  If anything, I'm surprised he didn't give her a track to record for the new LP!  
So again, he had a definite affection for this era of music.  (Think, too, about his recent “Kisses On The Bottom” recording of standards that he says helped to inspire the Lennon and McCartney songwriting team way back when in those very early years.)
The fact that he loved those old-time movies (and even turned his kids on to them) is also pretty cool.  (kk)

Other celebs have been weighing in with their comments and memories of America’s Sweetheart …   

She was a true star in more ways than one.  One of those ways was as a lifelong animal welfare activist.  
Visiting her in her Californian home was like going to an animal sanctuary where her many dogs were taken care of in splendid style.  She had a heart of gold and was a very funny lady who I shared many laughs with. Her films like Calamity Jane, Move Over, Darling and many others were all incredible and her acting and singing always hit the mark. I will miss her but will always remember her twinkling smile and infectious laugh as well as the many great songs and movies she gave us. 
She once said to me, ‘Age is an illusion’ … I reminded her of it recently – I was wishing her a happy birthday. People say age is a number. It’s a big number the older you get. But if it doesn’t interfere, I’m not bothered. You can ignore it. That’s what I do.
-- Paul McCartney    

Condolences to the family of Doris Day. She was the World’s Sweetheart and beloved by all.  Que Sera Sera 
-- William Shatner


This morning I was saddened to learn that Doris Day who starred in a film I had written "The Thrill Of It All" had passed away at 97. Just a week ago, I contacted her and welcomed her to the 97 Year Actor's Club.  
-- Carl Reiner


The great Doris Day left us and took a piece of the sun with her. She brighten our lives and lived out her life with dignity. May she rest peacefully.
-- Goldie Hawn  

For those of us in my generation, Doris Day was synonymous with Hollywood icon. She would no doubt remind us, upon this day of her passing, “Que sera sera,” but we will miss her dearly anyway. Rest now in our hearts forever, Ms. Day.  
-- George Takei


A Cincinnati girl just like me,” Parker wrote on Instagram. “How many letters I drafted to you and didn’t send. I could never get it right but they all said the same thing: I love you. Millions did and do. 
-- Sarah Jessica Parker


Really difficult to state just what a huge influence this woman was on me during my early years. She gave me hope a woman could be strong, funny, and successful.  
--Melissa Etheridge


Doris Day was great actress & a lovely, gracious lady. My condolences to all who loved her. My prayers are with her family & loved ones. She was a dedicated protector of animal rights & animal welfare on top of her wonderful voice and amazing on screen talent. She will be missed.  
-- Gloria Gaynor


Susan and I are saddened to hear of Doris Day’s passing. She was a wonderful friend to us and a lovely and very talented lady. We will miss her beautiful smile and it was such a thrill to appear on The Doris Day Show back in 1970.  
-- Tony Bennett

Bravo wonderful Doris Day on a life beautifully lived. Thank you for the great gifts you shared with all of us, they will live forever.  
-- Mitzi Gaynor

God Bless Doris Day! x What a voice. What a legend. R.I.P.  
-- Boy George

One of my all time favourite stars has joined the heavenly choir. Rest in Peace the great & inimitable Doris Day. The last star of the Hollywood Golden Age. We'll bid you farewell by the Light of The Silvery Moon, but you will always be Young at Heart to us forever.
-- Elaine Paige