Author: Jim Stalker

Stones in Exhile

Eagle Rock Entertainment recently released, with some great fanfare – including a nearly complete re-broadcast on the Jimmy Fallon show with Mick Jagger guesting – a video chronicle of the Rolling Stones recording of Exile On Main Street. To critics, Exile is generally regarded as the Stones’ high-water mark, featuring some of their most spirited and…

Damn the Torpedos

The Classic Albums series does it again with another terrific release that brings insight into one of the great rock albums of the seventies (and perhaps all time), Tom Petty and Heartbreakers “Damn the Torpedoes!” (in stunning Blu-ray from Eagle Rock Entertainment and Kayos Productions). Back in the 70’s, when there was a record business and bands…

Emmy Awards

“Television’s Biggest Day!” is this weekend when NBC airs the 62nd Annual Prime time Emmy Awards at 5 PM pacific time Sunday. Hosted by the energetic and mostly inoffensive Jimmy Fallon, this show, with far too many categories and awards, is a great one to speed through after recording on your DVR. Despite the best…

Ritchie Hayward – RIP

It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Little Feat drummer Richie Hayward who died of liver cancer last week. Hayward was for me (I am a huge fan of drummers) one of the true giants on the skins. His grooves were always startlingly original, unique, and funky. Regardless of the song,…

Legends of Laurel Canyon

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…

Music News

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

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…

Rush

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…