Thursday, May 18, 2023

Thursday This And That

Priscilla Presley and grand-daughter Riley Keough have amicably resolved their issues regarding daughter/mother Lisa Marie’s estate.  (While no details were revealed, it is believed that Priscilla took a lump payment.)  Both parties claim to be satisfied with the settlement.

Incredibly, the statement released by Priscilla simply said: “I want to make clear that there was never any lawsuit filed against my beloved granddaughter.  As a family, we are pleased that we resolved this together. My family and I hope that everyone will grant us the privacy we have needed to properly grieve Lisa Marie and spend personal time together.”

(Yeah, right … get the money grabbing out of the way first … and then let’s all properly grieve the loss of your daughter and Riley’s mother.)  Unreal. (kk)

REMINDER:  Priscilla is coming to The Des Plaines Theatre on Sunday, June 4th.

There's even a two hour after party / meet and greet available (for an extra three hundred bucks!)

But don't be misled ...

This is a VERY special event and includes Two Hours of OPEN BAR, Complimentary Appetizers and the chance to Meet, Greet and Mingle with Priscilla Presley

More info here:  https://desplainestheatre.com/events/

A couple more "New Show" announcements for both The Arcada and The Des Plaines Theatre ...

Including an appearance by Paul Anka at both theaters (November 16th at The Arcada and November 17th at The Des Plaines) ...

And how about THIS pairing ...

Little Peggy March with Brian Hyland!!!

They'll be appearing at The Arcada Theatre on Saturday, August 19th!

Tickets go on sale at noon tomorrow for all shows.  (kk) 

Aren't You The Guy Who Told Me That Really Wasn't Whipped Cream On The Cover?  

FB

‘Tis true … that was shaving cream.  (So for all you twelve year old boys who used to study this album cover in the privacy of your bathroom and DREAM of licking off every last drop, I can only assure you that that actual experience probably would have turned you off sex for life!)  lol  (kk)

Kent,
I don't think I've ever been at a record show, flea market, or garage sale where I DIDN'T see a copy of the "Whipped Cream" LP for sale.
Here's the lady who made the sale of about 900 million copies of that LP possible, at age 82.
Mike

I wasn’t sure if I had ever run that cover before so I thought it might make for some nice “whipped cream on top” of the Me-TV-FM story.  (kk)

In fact, even Rick O'Dell, Program Director at Me-TV-FM, had something to say about it ...

Good morning, Kent:  

Was quite a pleasant surprise seeing the mention of Whipped Cream and Other Delights in your blog yesterday.  Thank you!  We’ve found that, far and away, references to that album generate a larger response than to any other album we talk about.  

Rick

You know, over the years there have been a few FH Readers who've accused me of using ANY excuse possible as a reason to run a photo of the cover of that album again ... but it simply isn't true.

I would NEVER do that!!!  (kk) 

 

 

Hi Kent,

Thanks for plugging the new Top Pop Singles book.  We shattered the company record for most books sold in one day!  Joel would be thrilled!

Paul

Glad I could help …

But I think the discount, the fact that it’s a limited edition full-color version that brings the series up to date probably had a LITTLE bit to do with it, too.  (I know I can’t wait to get MY copy … even if Drake does take up 25 pages all by himself!)  lol  (kk)

 

A film of Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Party (aka “Long Story Short:  Willie Nelson 90”) held earlier this month will be released to theaters on June 11th.  A star-studded event, I was hoping something like this would be filmed so that others not in attendance could also enjoy the happening.

 

From the official press release:

The two-hour-plus limited release film will give fans the opportunity to re-live or experience for the first time this epic event described by USA Today as “headed for the concert history books.” Honoring the legacy of 12-time GRAMMY Award-winner, the scene at the Hollywood Bowl transcended genres, with Associated Press remarking “The parade of partners illustrated one of the night’s themes: Willie brings people together.” 

Willie was joined live on stage by an incredible lineup of performing artists including surprise guest Keith Richards, Allison Russell, Billy Strings, Bobby Weir, Booker T. Jones, Buddy Cannon, Charley Crockett, Charlie Sexton, Chris Stapleton, Daniel Lanois, Dave Matthews, Dwight Yoakam, Edie Brickell, Emmylou Harris, Gary Clark Jr., George Strait, Jack Johnson, Kris Kristofferson, Leon Bridges, Lily Meola, Lukas Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Margo Price, Miranda Lambert, Nathaniel Rateliff, Neil Young, Orville Peck, Particle Kid, Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Shooter Jennings, Snoop Dogg, Stephen Stills, Sturgill Simpson, The Avett Brothers, The Lumineers, Tom Jones, Tyler Childers, Warren Haynes, Waylon Payne, Ziggy Marley and more. The star-studded celebration also featured special tributes and presentations by Chelsea Handler Ethan Hawke, Helen Mirren, Jennifer Garner, Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson. The house band was led by GRAMMY Award-winning Music Director Don Was, and also featured Audley Freed, Benmont Tench, Gabe Witcher, Greg Leisz, Mickey Raphael, Terence Higgins, Tom Bukovac, Alfreda McCrary, Ann McCrary and Regina McCrary.

The concert film will include highlights from across the two nights of shows with full performances and special guest presentations. Fans in the cinemas will be treated to an immersive experience, with a state-of-the-art cinematic presentation and pristine 5.1 stereo surround sound. The Willie 90th birthday concert event sold out instantly, but now all fans can experience this celebrated event honoring a living legend as if they were in the front row.

More ticket information here:

https://www.willienelson90experience.com/

(There are nearly a dozen theaters within driving distance from home for me, showing the film on June 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th!)  kk

Hello Mr. Kotal:

Just noticed your blurb about the upcoming Chicago tour.  Unfortunately, nothing close to the Twin Cities. 

But just think, what would it be like if Chicago would team up and tour with Leonid and Friends?  How great would that be? 

(And if maybe they threw in Earth, Wind and Fire, or Blood Sweat and Tears?)

Just a thought. 

Pete Heger

I don’t think you’ll see Chicago and Leonid and Friends performing together any time soon!!! (The old guys don’t want to get shown up by the young guys!!!)

Chicago HAS toured with Earth, Wind and Fire in the past … and it was an amazing show.  (In fact, I’m pretty sure it was even released as a concert video)

Yep … I thought so …

https://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Earth-Wind-Fire-Theatre/dp/B00092ZL80/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1CHGPV9BZX2RM&keywords=chicago+and+earth+wind+and+fire+dvd&qid=1684322337&s=movies-tv&sprefix=chicago+and+earth+%2Cmovies-tv%2C84&sr=1-1

The video runs nearly three hours … and Amazon has exactly ONE copy left in stock as I type this … so first come, first served!!!  (Both bands play on each other’s hits as well.)  kk

A live album of Gordon Lightfoot's performance at Royal Albert Hall will be released on July 14th.  (The concert took place on May 24th, 2016)  The two CD set features 26 performances and will be released thru Canada's Linus Entertainment Group.  (kk)

Lou Gramm, former lead singer of Foreigner (who announced his official retirement a couple of years ago ... and then almost immediately went back out on the road again!) has just announced a short tour that'll bring him into the Chicago area three times between July and November.  (Never Say Never!!!)  And, he's been going thru a bunch of old tapes, trying to gather up enough material to put out brand new release.  (This includes revisiting a number of tracks he wrote and recorded with Mick Jones of Foreigner!)  So there could be a lot more Lou Gramm music coming our way before the year is out ...live and otherwise!  (kk)

And Clark Besch has brought this topic up before, but it bares further examination because all of a sudden lately, this whole AI thing has gotten COMPLETELY out of hand ... and I, for one, don't want ANY part of it!

So, this 13 minute video goes deep exploring the horrific possibilities of Artificial Intelligence in music and beyond.  It's worth watching, especially after the rap stuff and current musician stuff.  Imagine acetates by 13th Floor Elevators, Cryan' Shames, Stones, whomever being "created" and passed off as the real thing and people making tons of money off the youtube videos they get a million downloads because AI version of Paul and John doing Paul's "New" song (as viewed in the video below).  How will RADIO approach this new music?  Will they play exclusives by artists just to up their ratings because someone else does not have the song -- like in the 60's, but this time being totally fake? Remember when Klaatu was passed off as Beatles?  Capitol made lots of money off that, even if not intentional.  OR was it?  Millie Vannili too???


That some VERRRRRY scary stuff.  As he kept talking, I imagined things he was saying.  I wish he woulda left out the early rap stuff, as many may not listen to the rest which was actually the meat of this video.  He makes very good points that are VERY sad to imagine about music.  Suppose the recent early Beatles finds WERE AI and not legit at all?  I don't think they are, but any FUTURE ones without holding an actual old acetate in your hands or a very old reel tape might easily be AI. 

I started thinking about how TV will also handle things.  SO, I didn't like the way a Super Bowl turned out?  AI could likely change it all around so MY team wins!  Will people bet on AI things thinking they are real, too?  As George would say, "It's All too Much!"

I'd love your thoughts.
Clark

And finally, The Illinois Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame has announced this year's list of inductees ... 
 
Congratulations to The Class of 2023!
 
Hall of Fame Band or Solo Artist inductees include Earth, Wind & Fire, The Cryan’ Shames, The Shadows of Knight, Nat King Cole and Miles Davis. 
 
This year’s Songwriter inductee is John Prine. Legendary Chicago area disc jockey Bob Sirott will be inducted in the DJ category. 
 
The trailblazing WLUP-FM “The Loop” will be inducted in the Radio Station category and Alligator Records, founded in Chicago in 1971, will be inducted in the Record Label category.   (kk)