Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Tuesday This And That

1967:
Everybody has their own favorites … but for ME, one of my favorite, crowning achievements of doing Forgotten Hits was our year-long salute / tribute / recreation of 1967, held EVERY DAY of 2017, remembering my all-time favorite year in music.
(If you missed it the first time around ... or simply want to enjoy it again ... you can access it simply by clicking the link below …
... and then simply clicking the “Newer Post” button at the bottom of the page to walk thru EVERY entry for the year.
You’ll even find some of our “Extra” Posts (based on comments received from our readers) on a dedicated website called “1967:  The Best of the Rest,” located here:
(Just do the same thing … start here … with Bonus Post #1 … and then scroll your way forward by way of the “Newer Post” button at the bottom of the page.)

I referenced 1967 because I just read an AMAZING quote by Rock Star Author Mark Bego encapsulating the year into one incredibly descriptive paragraph.  (I’ve just started re-reading Bego’s Aretha Franklin biography, the updated “Tribute Edition”) and in it, he says …

1967 was another landmark year in the music business.  Just as 1964 had witnessed a complete change in the music that was played on the radio and had ushered in a new roster of stars, 1967 also represented a whole new scene.  It was the year that The Beatles released “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and in San Francisco, it was “The Summer Of Love.”  By contrast, in Detroit and Newark, it was the summer of race riots and social change.  At the top of the pop charts in America, the year began with The Monkees’ “I’m a Believer,” and ended with The Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye.”  The biggest hit-makers of the year were The Supremes, The Beatles and The Monkees.  However, in the first week of June, dead-center in the middle of the year, Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” topped the charts.  Somewhere amid the bubble-gum sound of Lulu’s “To Sir, With Love,” the effervescent pop stylists of The Seekers’ “Georgy Girl,” and the psychedelia of The Strawberry Alarm Clock’s “Incense and Peppermints,” there came another sound wafting its way through the airwaves.  Like the sassy fragrance of a side of barbecued spareribs amid the sweetness of the bubble gum, Aretha Franklin arrived on the scene … and redefined the sound of R&B music.
– Mark Bego

1967 definitely was Aretha’s big break-through year … after years of soul-searching for her identity at Columbia, she jumped ship to Atlantic Records that year where, as Bego points out, within the span of just thirteen months, she put together an incredible string of SIX consecutive Top Ten Pop Singles and THREE Top Ten Albums, the likes which had not been seen since Elvis Presley burst on the music scene in 1956.  (Fittingly, just as Elvis was declared “The King of Rock And Roll,” Aretha was named “The Queen Of Soul,” a title that stuck with her throughout her illustrious career.)

Those six Top Ten tracks were “I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You), #9, “Respect” (#1), “Baby, I Love You” (#4), “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” (#8), “Chain Of Fools” (#2) and “(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone” (#5) … all of this after 23 low-charting sides for Columbia Records, none of which ever rose any higher than #57 (with the exception of her 1961 reading of “Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody,” which hit #21.)


[For the record, Franklin's string of hits continued thru 1968 with three more Top Ten sides:  "Think" (#7) and the two-sided hit "The House That Jack Built" (#6) and her version of "I Say A Little Prayer" (#10).  She also scored her fourth straight Top Ten Album that year.  That incredible string now included "I Never Loved A Man The way I Love You" (#2), "Aretha Arrives" (#5), "Aretha: Lady Soul" (#2) and "Aretha Now" (#3).]

Pick up a copy of Bego’s book here … it’s a good one!  (Actually, they ALL are!!!  They don’t call him “The Biographer To The Music Stars” without good reason!!!  While you’re there, be sure to check out some of his many other titles available.)
https://www.amazon.com/Aretha-Franklin-Queen-Mark-Bego/dp/1510745076/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=mark+bego&qid=1581206098&s=books&sr=1-4

And, speaking of Mark Bego, he and former Supreme Mary Wilson were invited to Elton John's post-Oscar party Sunday Night ...  

BEGO & WILSON AT ELTON JOHN OSCAR FEST

Rocketman-writer MARK BEGO and MARY WILSON (of The Supremes) were at Sunday night’s Elton John Oscar event in West Hollywood, where John won the Best Original  Song Oscar for “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again,” from the Paramount film Rocketman.


L-R: Bego and Wilson

Also on the topic of 1967, Cash Box Magazine named The Buckinghams “The Most Listened-To Band In America” that year … which provides a nice segue in to this next section!

THE BUCKINGHAMS:
Apparently when we ran our Buckinghams schedule of upcoming shows the other day, a couple of dates fell off the list …

Here is the WHOLE list as it currently stands:

Friday, February 28th – Renaissance Esmeralda Resort in Indian Wells, California
Saturday, February 29th – The Bergen Performing Arts Centre at Englewood, New Jersey
Friday, March 6th – opening for America at The Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Ilinois
Saturday, March 14th – NYCB Theatre in Westbury, New York
Saturday, March 28th thru Saturday, April 4th – The Flower Power Cruise (Caribbean)
Saturday, April 11th – The 210 Club in Highwood, Illinois
Friday, April 17th – The Golden Nugget – Las Vegas, Nevada
Saturday, May 2nd – as part of The Cornerstones of Rock Show at The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois
Sunday, May 3rd – The American Music Theatre in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (with Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermits)
Friday, June 12th – The Odawa Casino Resort Showdroom in Petroskey, Michigan
Friday, June 26th – Palm Bedells in Spirit Lake, Iowa
Saturday, June 27th – The Wildrose Casino and Resort in Emmitsburg, Iowa
Friday, July 31st – The Happy Together Tour at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Thursday, August 6th – The Acorn Theatre in Three Oaks, Michigan
Friday, August 7th – “A Taste of Elmwood Park” in Elmwood Park, Illinois
Saturday, August 8th – The Happy Together Tour at The Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois
Thursday, August 13th – as part of The Cornerstones of Rock at the IACH Amphitheater in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Thursday, August 27th - Cool Deadwood Nights in Deadwood, South Dakota
Friday, August 28th – The Paramount Theatre in Denver, Colorado
Saturday, August 29th – The Happy Together Tour at Amphitheater Las Colonias Park in in Grand Junction, Colorado
Friday, September 18th – The Stadium Theatre for Performing Arts in Woonsocket, Rhode Islan d
Saturday, September 19th – The T. Furth Center For The Arts in Angola, Indiana
Friday, October 9th – The Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada
Saturday, November 28th – as part of The Cornerstones of Rock at The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois

THE IDES OF MARCH:
We also ran the announcement that Anthony Gomes would be appearing as a special guest at The Ides Of March show at The City Winery on March 4th.  Gomes brings some considerable street cred with him to the stage …
He’s been named the #1 Blues Artist by Billboard Magazine and his recent album “Peace, Love And Loud Guitars” was named Best Blues Album of 2018 by Blues Rock Review and SoundGuardian Magazine.
He has performed with the likes of B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Robert Plant, Heart, Sammy Hagar, Joe Bonamassa, .38 Special, Johnny Lang, Robert Cray and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.  Fans of his music (all of whom have attended Anthony Gomes’ concerts) include Eric Clapton, John Goodman, Toby Keith, Travis Tritt, Vince Vaughn and Morgan Freeman!
You can do the same if you enter to win tickets to see The Ides Of March show on March 4th at The City Winery.  (Drop me an email NOW!!!)

 
(photos by Steve Jensen and used with permission)

And, speaking of The Ides Of March, frontman Jim Peterik just sent me a link for a long lost song he wrote back in 1974 paying tribute to The 2000 Year Old Man and its creators, Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks.
The song is an homage to an era of comedy long gone from our consciousness these days.  Jim points out that both Reiner and Brooks are 98 years old today and he wanted to get this out there while they’re both still around to enjoy it.  (Man, I thought after Kirk Douglas died last week at 103, I was the world’s oldest man still alive!!!)

Jim explains …

Hi Kent!
When you have a spare moment (lol!) please view my homage to the great Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner. This is a song I wrote and recorded back in 1974 when I was 24 years old, reflecting my love for a best-selling comedy album called “The 2000 Year Old Man.”  I’m sure many of your followers are old enough to remember this classic album.
Attached is the lyric video by Paul Braun.  It’s a labor of love and respect for these two 98 year old comic geniuses and I wanted to get it out there while Mel and Carl are still with us!  (You can even hear a young Larry Millas on the bottom part of the choir. Lol!)
Through the years my sisters and I memorized every line of their routine like it was gospel. And maybe it is!
Enjoy!
Cheers!  
Jimbo 

And did you happen to catch that little "Eye Of The Tiger" / "Rocky" mini-blurb during the Oscars ceremony?!?!  (kk)
Unreal!  I’m blown away.  
Jimbo 

MORE BREAKING NEWS … THIS JUST IN:   
I will be making a special appearance at the grand reopening of Barbara’s Books in the Burr Ridge Center!
This Saturday Feb 15th … 2 pm …
Songs and Stories ... 
Signing my new 2-Year Calendar Stars & Guitars …
My book Through The Eye of the Tiger …
The new Ides of March CD and double vinyl - Play On …
And more!!
Hope to see you out there for a post-Valentine’s Day celebration! 

 
Rock on!!  
Jimbo   

HELPING OUT OUR READERS: 

Hi –
My name is Rachael Hernandez and I was directed to your blog by a girl that runs another blog devoted to identifying music.
I’m trying to find this older song that my mom and several of her friends have been trying to identify for a long time ... like, seven or eight years in my mother's case.
It sounds like a soft country-pop song, probably from the 1970s. And this is a Youtube link my mom's friend, Bess, put up.
https://youtu.be/sme_LzppjY0
I just thought I'd give it a go and ask.
Thank you, and mil gracias
Rachael 
Hi Rachael -
Sorry, but I don't recognize it ... but I will definitely put this out to our readers to see if they can come up with your answer.  Stay tuned!  (Any ideas, guys???)  kk 
I will be keeping an eye on your blog. It's a really cool and very informative blog ... and I'll be happy to keep reading it.  I love older music, especially the late 60s and early 70s. I grew up on that music thanks to my mom.
Thanks, again.

Rachael  

THIS AND THAT:
Congratulations!
It's always great to reach another milestone with this fabulous site and blog, and to (again) breathe a sigh of relief that the tedium of having to email all this STUFF week after week went away ...
Bob Frable
Thankfully, our mailing list is down to a fraction of what it used to be … and is primarily used now for reminders to check the site (as most of you are making it a regular practice of doing so all on your own.)  Yay!!!   (And yet, for some reason I still seem to get as many as one hundred bounce-backs for "potential spam" ... PLEASE adjust your mailbox to allow mail from Forgotten Hits as you're likely missing a number of announcements and, in some cases, special offers.)  kk

Kent,
CONGRATULATIONS!
It's All About The Love …  
We read it, see it, feel it ... in every edition of Forgotten Hits.
Thank You for all that you do!!!
L J Coon 

Hey, Kent -
Just how many radio stations called their jocks “Good Guys” anyhow?
Here’s John Lennon in Miami Beach before the Beatles’ second Ed Sullivan gig in February, 1964, wearing a WPGC Good Guys sweatshirt. ‘PGC was based in Morningside, MD (Washington, DC suburbs). They were a pretty good Top 40 station in a market where all the Top 40 stations had signal issues - DC never had that blowtorch rocker like WLS, WCFL, etc.

- Larry Cave
  50yearsagoonthehot100.blogspot.com

A LOT … actually, a WHOLE lot!  (It’s been interesting to see how “common” some of the things our “unique” radio stations were doing back in the ‘60’s that were also being done by OTHER stations (and not necessarily “sister stations”) around the country.  (The “Silver Dollar Survey” immediately comes to mind … for most of my life, I thought that this was something WLS had come up with on its own … only to find out years later that Silver Dollar Surveys were being passed out by radio stations all over the country!) 
As I understand it, the Boss Radio concept launched in LA on KHJ and, the moment it became successful, it was copied by radio stations across the country, rounding up their own stable of Boss Jocks.  (As is always the way, radio seems to clone itself … Got something that’s hot and working?  Then saturate the market EVERYWHERE so that no matter where your travels may take you, you’re assured of hearing the exact same thing EVERYWHERE you go.  Sadly, this concept continues to this very day … a point that was REALLY driven home when we were monitoring 30 Classic Rock Stations from all over the country to compile our TOP 3333 MOST ESSENTIAL CLASSIC ROCK SONGS OF ALL TIME List.  Had we based our list SOLEY on airplay, we probably couldn’t have come up with more than 500-600 titles … and 200 of THOSE were played as many as three or four times a day within the same 24 hour period.)  Creativity has never been a strong suit in radio programming … that’s why the jocks we all remember that made an impact on us as listeners were the ones who stepped outside the box and wowed us with their own unique personalities.  (kk) 

Hi Kent,
Unless I missed something, I don't think I've seen anyone mention that Jeff James brought back his FANTASTIC radio show "Saturday Night Live @ the 70s." He used to do the show on Star 105.5, then Y103.9. He came back last October on Huntley Community Radio on 101.5. Six hours of nothing but the 70s. He's even brought back lots of his old features - the TV themes, the mind blowing twin spin, the cheesy song - it's all there!
And just like the old days, he's taking requests. That has to be the only show in the area that even takes real requests anymore. Thought I'd let everyone know in case they wanted to listen in. The party goes from 6pm to midnight every Saturday.
- AJ K
We mentioned Jeff’s show a few times when it first came back on the air … I know he said that it would take a few weeks to work all the bugs out but it sounds like everything is up and running smooth now.  (We’ll have to give it a listen next Saturday Night … a bit more difficult when we’re out and about in the car … but now that we have Bluetooth Streaming, we should be able to pick it up.)  Thanks for the reminder!  (kk)   

The Eagles have kicked off their 2020 American Tour with three shows in Atlanta … then it’s off to Madison Square Garden.  (Still no Chicago stop planned as of right now.)
As mentioned previously, the show opens with a performance of their complete “Hotel California” album from start to finish (supplemented by a full orchestra and choir!)
Then, after a brief intermission, the band comes back on stage to perform a set of their greatest hits.  (And boy, what a set it is, too!)
32 songs in all, from start to finish.

Check out this set list:
Set 1
1. "Hotel California"
2. "New Kid in Town"
3. "Life in the Fast Lane"
4. "Wasted Time"
5. "Wasted Time (Reprise)"
6. "Victim of Love"
7. "Pretty Maids All in a Row"
8. "Try and Love Again"
9. "The Last Resort"
Set 2
10. "Seven Bridges Road"
11. "Take It Easy"
12. "One of These Nights"
13. "Take It To The Limit"
14. "Tequila Sunrise"
15. "Witchy Woman"
16. "In the City"
17. "I Can't Tell You Why"
18. "Lyin' Eyes"
19. "Best of My Love"
20. "Peaceful Easy Feeling"
21. "Love Will Keep Us Alive"
22. "Walk Away"
23. "Those Shoes"
24. "Life's Been Good"
25. "The Boys of Summer"
26. "Funk #49"
27. "Already Gone"
28. "Heartache Tonight"
Encore
29. "Rocky Mountain Way"
30. "Desperado"
31. "The Long Run"
32. "Hotel California (Reprise)"
Man, I wanna see this show!!!

And The Rolling Stones are coming back for another pass thru the US, too … pretty amazing in light of the fact that this will be their second US tour since Mick Jagger’s recent heart surgery.  (In a related story, Keith Richards made headlines last week when he announced that the had FINALLY quit smoking … well, since last October anyway.  Richards said quitting cigarettes was harder than quitting heroin, if only because they’re literally EVERYWHERE you go … but he does believe he has finally kicked the habit.
Upcoming Stones dates include:
May 8 - San Diego, CA @ SDCCU Stadium
May 12 - Vancouver, BC @ BC Place
May 16 - Minneapolis, MN @ U.S. Bank Stadium
May 20th – Nashville, TN @ Nissan Stadium
May 24th – Austin, TX @ Circuit of The Americas
May 29th – Dallas, TX @ Cotton Bowl Stadium
June 6th – Buffalo, NY @ New Era Field
June 10th – Detroit, MI @ Ford Field
June 14th – Louisville, KY @ Cardinal Stadium
June 19th – Cleveland, OH @ FirstEnergy Stadium
June 23th – Pittsburgh, PA @ Heinz Field
June 27 – St. Louis, MO @ The Dome at America’s Center
July 1st – Charlotte, NC @ Bank of America Stadium
July 5th – Tampa, FL @ Raymond James Stadium
July 9th – Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Of course, during the late sixties and early seventies I was a regular at the Wild Goose held at the Elmhurst YMCA. Saw so many groups like REO, Mason Profitt, Chase, Rare Earth, Mark Lindsay, Alice Cooper and many other 1 hit wonders. They moved the Wild Goose to Willowbrook HS where I then saw Siegel Schwall and Big Brother. In the early 70s there was a great club on Roosevelt rd by Lombard called Rush West. It was in the basement of a hotel probably torn down by now. Great live music. House band named Spice was really good. Saw Kansas there. Saw another band with a very young kid that looked like Billy Coragin. Great guitar player. Those days are kind of hazy now. The place was a dump but had really good bands every weekend. Have not heard anybody talk about Rush West.
Rob Rossi
I’m sure we’ll hear from a few of the locals on the list who used to frequent this club.  (I certainly remember the name but don’t think I’ve ever been there.  Rush Up downtown is another story, however!)  Stay tuned!  (kk)

kk:
Here is a list of some of the music documentaries that will have world premieres at the SXSW Film Festival March 13th - 22nd ...
Thought your readers might enjoy some of these movies. 
(I served as a consultant on "Laurel Canyon: A Place In Time."  Premium television network EPIX will then broadcast it on Sunday, May 31st at 10 p.m., and conclude the following Sunday, June 7th at 10 p.m. 
www.sxsw.com 2020 
Best, HK 

Biography: The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne 
Director: R. Greg Johnston
A&E’s Biography: The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne celebrates the life of rock icon and Godfather of heavy metal Ozzy Osbourne and features interviews with Sharon OsbourneRick RubinIce-TMarilyn MansonRob ZombieJonathan Davis and Post Malone. (World Premiere)
Jose Feliciano: Behind This Guitar 
Directors/Screenwriters: Frank Licari, Helen Murphy
The Official Biographical Documentary of the eight time Grammy Winner and international music icon, Jose Feliciano. From being blind at birth in the slums of Puerto Rico to Grammy winner, Jose Feliciano carved a path that few achieved before or since. (U.S. Premiere)
Laurel Canyon: A Place in Time 
Director: Alison Ellwood
Laurel Canyon pulls back the curtain on a mythical world and provides an up-close look at the lives of the musicians who inhabited it. It paints an intimate portrait of the artists who created a music revolution that would change popular culture. Principal Cast: Henry Diltz, Nurit Wilde, David Crosby, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Don Henley, Chris Hillman, Graham Nash, Steve Martin, Micky Dolenz.
Screens March 20, 11:00 am Paramount Theatre.  (World Premiere)
My Darling Vivian 
Director: Matt Riddlehoover
Director Matt Riddlehoover traces the dizzying journey of Vivian LibertoJohnny Cash‘s first wife and the mother of his four daughters. Featuring unseen footage and photographs, the film was produced by Dustin Tittle, Vivian and Johnny’s grandson. (World Premiere)
Rockfield: The Studio on the Farm (United Kingdom) 
Director: Hannah Berryman
The unlikely tale of two Welsh brothers who turned their dairy farm into one of the most successful recording studios of all time. This is a story of rock and roll dreams intertwined with a family business’ fight for survival. (World Premiere)
Without Getting Killed or Caught 
Directors: Tamara Saviano, Paul Whitfield, Screenwriters: Tamara Saviano, Bart Knaggs Guy Clark, the dean of Texas songwriters, struggles to write poetic songs while balancing a complicated marriage with wife Susanna, and a deep friendship with legendary songwriter Townes Van Zandt, on whom Susanna forges a passionate dependence. (World Premiere)
Zappa 
Director: Alex Winter
The first all-access documentary on the life and times of Frank Zappa. (World Premiere)
Harvey also tells us about a new Band documentary opening in theaters later this month …  

"Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band"  
Movie opens Feb 11th in New York, February 21st in L.A. and February 28th nationwide.  
Opening theaters can be found in the link here:  https://www.oncewerebrothers.com/tickets/
Read Harvey’s in-depth report on The Band here:
https://www.musicconnection.com/new-documentary-on-robbie-robertson-and-the-band-out-soon/  
 
JIMI HENDRIX’S LANDMARK FINAL ALBUM, BAND OF GYPSYS, CELEBRATED WITH REMASTERED 50TH ANNIVERSARY VINYL EDITIONS
AVAILABLE MARCH 27 VIA CAPITOL/UMe  
VIEW ALBUM TRAILER 

Jimi Hendrix's immortal 1970 live album, Band of Gypsys, is one of his most influential releases, with the charismatic guitar icon testing the bounds of his creative approach to produce some of the most ambitious music of his career. Capitol/UMe will honor this landmark record on March 27, almost exactly 50 years from its original release, with special 50th anniversary vinyl editions of Band of Gypsys that recapture the album’s boundary-breaking spirit. 
This new, all analog edition of Band Of Gypsys has been mastered from the original analog stereo tapes by longtime Hendrix engineer Eddie Kramer and will be pressed on 180-gram audiophile black vinyl by Quality Record Pressings, along with a limited color pressing on 180-gram translucent cream, red, yellow and green swirl vinyl. The unique color vinyl edition will be available exclusively through AuthenticHendrix.com. All editions of the Band of Gypsys 50th anniversary LP will be packaged with an eight-page booklet filled with rare images from the concerts and an essay by John McDermott. This special edition will feature a 24" x 36" replica of Capitol Records' original promotional Band of Gypsys poster. Pre-order Band Of Gypsys now: https://UMe.lnk.to/BandOfGypsysVinylPR “This is more than the commemoration of an anniversary,” said Janie Hendrix, President and CEO of Experience Hendrix, “that, of course, is something momentous, but it is also the celebration of a cathartic event in Jimi’s life...a sort of changing of the guards. He demonstrated that there was no limit to his musical landscape. It was broad and beautiful, and like the leader of a true band of gypsies, Jimi could go anywhere on the spectrum of genres and be at home there musically!  This is our way of celebrating that part of Jimi’s journey.” 
As the 1960s drew to a close, Hendrix was at the apex of his fame and influence. His first three albums with The Jimi Hendrix Experience—Are You ExperiencedAxis: Bold As Love and Electric Ladyland—had established him as both a musical visionary and an international superstar. By the end of the decade, though, Hendrix was looking for new musical challenges and feeling the need to work with new collaborators. Towards that end, he assembled the Band of Gypsys lineup, with bassist Billy Cox, an old friend from Hendrix’s early days playing in R&B combos, and drummer Buddy Miles, already well known for his work with the Electric Flag and the Buddy Miles Express. The resulting album is a revolutionary fusion of blues, funk and rock that stands as a unique chapter in Hendrix's seminal body of work. Beyond Hendrix’s meteoric growth as a musician and composer, the guitarist was hamstrung by a   lawsuit whose roots drew back to 1965 when Hendrix was an unknown sideman and occasional studio musician. Hendrix contributed guitar to a series of recordings for the R&B group Curtis Knight & the Squires. Despite having already signed an exclusive recording contract the previous July with Sue Records, Hendrix inexplicably signed a one-page artist agreement with PPX Industries which bound his services not just for the Knight sessions but for a period of three years. Two 45rpm singles from these studio recordings were licensed by PPX Industries in early 1966 to RSVP Records, a small, New York based independent label. Neither record made any commercial impact and Hendrix and Knight quickly went their separate ways. These recordings and the one-page agreement with PPX [for which Hendrix received one dollar] were still in effect after he achieved international recognition. In direct competition against Hendrix albums such as Are You ExperiencedGet That Feeling, a collection of recordings from the sessions Hendrix had recorded with Curtis Knight was released. Following litigation, in 1968 a settlement required Hendrix to deliver an album of original material to Capitol Records for distribution. 
Recalls Billy Cox, “There had been a lawsuit against him and the only way out of that was to give them something. Jimi came to me and explained what had happened. Then it was decided to give them an album. I said let’s go for it. At that time Mitch was in England, but Buddy would frequent the studios with us and he decided the same thing; lets help our friend in need. Ultimately we became the Band of Gypsys.” Band of Gypsys was recorded by legendary remote recording engineer Wally Heider during two historic performances at New York's Fillmore East on New Year's Day 1970. “Who Knows” and “Machine Gun” were drawn from the 1/1/70 first show while the remaining four songs which make up the album’s second side were recorded during the 1/1/70 last show.  
The album encompasses six then-unreleased songs, with the searing original blues “Machine Gun”—an anti-war epic performed by two musicians in Hendrix and Cox who had actually served in the US Army coupled with such powerful numbers as "Message to Love," "Power of Soul," each documenting Hendrix's decisive shift in musical direction, laying the groundwork for many of the funk rock experiments that would follow in the decades to come. In their original 1970 review of the record, Rolling Stone declared, “This album is Hendrix the musician. With just bass and drum support he is able to transfuse and transfix on the strength of his guitar-work alone.” 50 years on, Band of Gypsys continues to inspire and influence generations of musicians while its significance has only grown critically. In their retrospective reviews of the album, Ultimate Classic Rock enthused, “no testimonial can do justice to Hendrix’s revelatory fretwork, especially on ‘Machine Gun,’ which continues to define the sonic possibilities of the electric guitar” while All Music hailed it as “not only an important part of the Hendrix legacy, but one of the greatest live albums ever.”
Originally released in America on March 25, 1970, Band of Gypsys peaked at #5 during a 61-week run on the Billboard album chart. At the time of his death in September 1970, it was Hendrix's bestselling U.S. album since Are You Experienced. The last album that Hendrix released during his lifetime, Band of Gypsys offers a tantalizing glimpse at what might have been. 

JIMI HENDRIX – BAND OF GYPSYS 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION TRACK LISTING
SIDE A
1) Who Knows
2) Machine Gun
Recorded January 1, 1970 Early Show
SIDE B
1) Changes
2) Power To Love
3) Message To Love
4) We Gotta Live Together
Recorded January 1, 1970 Late Show
kk:
This is my favorite Billy Joel song … sounds like 1950's Doo-Wop.
Billy did a concert in Tampa, Florida last night.  I guess he doesn't make enough money at Madison Square Garden.
FB


“An Innocent Man” is my all-time favorite Billy Joel album … he completely captures the essence of the music that influenced him growing up.  That’s how you get songs like “The Longest Time” and the Four Seasons-influenced “Uptown Girl” along with other throwback classics like “This Night,” “Christie Lee” and “Tell Her About It,” as well as his great recap track “Keeping The Faith.”  If you don’t already have this album, pick it up … I guarantee you it’ll be come YOUR favorite Billy Joel album, too!  (kk) 

End your day with a smile, courtesy of Chuck Buell …

I was just thinking, with all the concerts you've gone to, and all the pre-show sound checks that went along with them, did I ever tell you I had a Russian friend who was a sound engineer?  And a Czech one, too … and a Czech one, too.

(Did you need to say the second line out loud . . . ? )   
Chuck
No ... I got it right away ... but I did feel a sudden urge to turn on the bubble machine ... and a-one and a-two ...  (kk)