LA’s Laurel Canyon music scene has been well documented through a variety books and movies. Laurel Canyon was where Miss Pamala found her super-groupie training wheels trying to shag Byrd Chris Hillman. Every LA music history has a chapter (or more) devoted to the goings on in this ‘Eden above Sunset.” This now almost-mythic place…
The last couple weeks have had its fair share of music happenings. Here is recap of some of them – with comments (of course). VMA’s shower Lady Gaga with Awards – Let’s face it, Lady Gaga is the pulse of the music business right now. While her image arguably trumps her music, even the most cynical…
Seawind? Ever hear of them? Unless you are a very serious music fan, I suppose not. Well let me tell you a little about them. Seawind was a band formed in Hawaii in the mid-seventies that prominently featured a horn section of University of Indiana alums. The horn sections leader, Jerry Hey, would go on…
I am part of that faction of rock fans who think that Canadian power-trio Rush is something great. I loved last years documentary about the group, Living on the Lighted Stage. One of the best of the genre. While mostly affectionate, that doc did acknowledge criticism of singer Geddy Lee – and how his high-pitched vocals…
When the bong smoke cleared and rock fans soberly looked back at the 1970’s, many scratch their heads and wonder (to paraphrase the classic Deadhead joke) “what the F was I listening to!” Time in fact has not been kind to many of the era’s mega-sellers and live music draws that were labeled “progressive.” Progressive…
I am as white as they come. I don’t say this with any agenda – I just want to state the facts. I went to a high school where there were few people of color. College didn’t tip the diversity scale much either. Facts are I have had very little “urban experience” in my life…
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame yesterday announced what very well may be the least exciting batch of inductees in recent memory. In the performer category, the inductees are: Alice Cooper Band Neil Diamond John Darlene Love Tom Waits In the non-performer, Ahmet Ertegun Award category: Jac Holzman Art Rupe And in the renamed…
For old fogies like me, we remember Paul McCartney’s Band on the Run as the first “proper” album from the ex-Beatle. His previous records, either by himself or with Wings, certainly had a moment or two apiece but for Beatle fans, they seemed like aimless noodling. Except for “Maybe I’m Amazed” and the opening of “Uncle Albert” – nothing suggested…
The 83rd annual Academy Awards, will be broadcast on ABC next Sunday with hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway. Who are they you ask? Well, one is PhD student who is nominated for best actor playing a mountain biker who cuts off his own arm and the other was the heterosexual in Brokeback Mountain (in just one…