March 21 - 31, 2010
These are the scripts Joe Benson used on the air at 95.5 KLOS in Los Angeles. They all received final editing by Jan Benson, without whom the task would have been far too daunting. Remember to give credit where credit is due, and enjoy!
March 21, 2010
Keyboardist J.S. Bach would have been 325.
Original Yes guitarist Peter Banks is 60.
Guitarist Roger Hodgson of Supertramp is 60.
On this day in 1961, The Beatles played Liverpool's Cavern Club for the first time.
On this day in 1964, The Beatles' "She Loves You" hit #1 as "I Saw Her Standing There" peaked at #14. So what did you accomplish today?
On this day in 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono began their famous "bed-in" at The Amsterdam Hilton (later referred to in The Beatles song "The Ballad Of John And Yoko").
On this day in 1970, The Beatles "Let It Be" debuted at #6 as "Evil Ways" by Santana peaked at #9 and The Guess Who's "American Woman" entered the singles charts.
On this day in 1980, Bob Seger's "Against the Wind" album hit #1.
On this day in 1981, REO Speedwagon's "Keep On Lovin' You" hit #1, John Lennon's "Woman" peaked at #2 and Styx's "The Best Of Times" topped out at #3 on the pop singles chart.
On this day in 1983, Pink Floyd released "The Final Cut," the last album of new studio material that featured Roger Waters.
On this day in 1986, The Rolling Stones released their "Dirty Work" album.
On this day in 1987, U2's "With Or Without You" entered the charts.
On this day in 1991, Leo Fender, the inventor of the electric guitar, died at home at the age of 81.
On this day in 1994, Bruce Springsteen won the Best Song Oscar for his "Streets of Philadelphia" from the movie "Philadelphia." It was the first song Springsteen had written specifically for a film.
March 22, 2010
Emmy Award-winning actor William Shatner is 79.
Singer Keith Relf of The Yardbirds would have been 67.
On this day in 1965, Bob Dylan released his "Bringing It All Back Home" album, which contained his first electric guitar driven rock. Oh, the scandal!
On this day in 1967, The Who played their first live gig in America, a 20-minute set at New York's Paramount Theater. And yes, they were very, very loud.
On this day in 1974, the Eagles released their "On The Border" album.
On this day in 1975, Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti" was the #1 album in the United States.
On this day in 1975, The Rolling Stones began working in Munich, Germany on what eventually became the "Black and Blue" album.
On this day in 1986, Heart's "These Dreams" hit #1 on the singles chart.
On this day in 2005, Foghat guitarist Rod Price died after suffering a heart attack in his home at the age of 57.
It was Wyatt Earp who said: "Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything."
It was Mae West who said: "I used to be Snow White, but I drifted."
It was Aristotle who said: "Education is the best provision for old age."
March 23, 2010
Singer/guitarist Ric Ocasek of The Cars is 61.
On this day 1958, George Harrison first played on stage with John Lennon and Paul McCartney as a member of the pre-Beatles group The Quarry Men (sometimes listed as The Quarrymen). They played at the cellar club called The Morgue in Broadgreen.
On this day 1963, the Beach Boys released the single "Surfin' U.S.A."
On this day 1979, Van Halen released their "Van Halen II" album.
On this day 1983, ZZ Top released their most successful album, "Eliminator."
No Bun E.
Word is that Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos — who has suffered back problems in the last few years — won't be touring with the band over the next few months. As they've done in the past, the boys are keeping his position in the family with guitarist Rick Nielsen's son Daxx covering the drumming duties until the end of July. That also includes the Trick's April 17th performance at the Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach.
New/Old Kinks
The Kinks long anticipated "You Really Got Me" documentary will finally be released on DVD next month. The highly influential band was formed by Ray and Dave Davies in North London in 1964. They soon became a key part of the "British Invasion" of the Sixties, eventually releasing over 20 studio albums before breaking up in 1996. The new documentary features interviews with the core of the band — the Davies brothers and drummer Mick Avory — as well as previously unseen footage from their early days in the Sixties up to performances in the Nineties.
Kozmic Experience!
The GRAMMY Museum in downtown's L.A. Live complex has debuted a new exhibit called the "Strange Kozmic Experience." The exhibition explores the innovations, legacies and continual impact of The Doors, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix using rare photographs and artifacts like Joplin's custom painted 1965 Porsche, singer Jim Morrison's never-before-seen journals, handwritten lyrics and letters, wardrobe pieces, paintings, instruments and much more. It'll all be on display until next February, and you can learn more at GrammyMuseum.org.
Hawkins' Coattail Riders
While head Foo Fighter Dave Grohl was working with Them Crooked Vultures last year, Foos drummer Taylor Hawkins recorded his second album with his Coattail Riders. As the informal sessions evolved, they eventually included guitarist Elliot Easton of The Cars, guitar god Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor of Queen. The result, "Red Light Fever," will be out on April 20th. With Hawkins and Grohl working on new Foo Fighters material, it's unlikely the Coattail Riders will do any serious touring.
It was Jerry Seinfeld who said: "Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason."
It was Mark Twain who said: "Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer."
It was Harry S. Truman who said: "Intense feeling too often obscures the truth."
March 24, 2010
Bassist Dougie Thompson of Supertramp is 59.
On this day in 1962, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards first performed together in public as Little Boy Blue & the Blue Boys. Can't imagine why that name didn't stick.
On this day in 1973, Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side Of The Moon" album entered the charts both in Britain and Stateside. It stayed on the U.S. "Billboard" album chart for over 700 weeks.
On this day in 1974, The Doobie Brothers released their "What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits" album, featuring the hit "Black Water."
Then He Hit The Floor
Following his Carnegie Hall performance last month, Hall Of Famer Iggy Pop has officially retired from stage diving. Seems that rather than catching him and passing him around when the 62-year-old leapt from Carnegie's hallowed stage, the crowd parted and let him slam onto the floor. The legendary singer says, "When I landed, it hurt... and I made a mental note that Carnegie Hall would be a good place for my last stage dive. The audience were just like, 'What are you doing?'" Not the first time people have asked that about the icon, but what a way to go!
U2/Rose Bowl/DVD
Considering YouTube streamed the concert live to the biggest on-line audience ever, you shouldn't be surprised that U2 will release a DVD of last year's massive Rose Bowl concert. Anticipating a Summer release, they officially say "The band are still working on the content of the DVD," but anyone who attended the show knows the boys are probably still in line to use one of the Rose Bowl's few restrooms.
Top To Chile
If you don't want to wait to see ZZ Top until they play the Pacific Amphitheater in August, then head on down to Movistar Arena in Santiago, Chile on May 18th! The Top's benefit performance there will be the first major concert in the country since the devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake on February 27th.
Acoustic Neil
Neil Young's solo acoustic American theater tour with famed Scottish folk singer Bert Jansch will kick off on May 26th in Louisville. Only five dates have been announced so far, but "The Twisted Road Tour" should hit the Southland in early Summer. His last acoustic tour was in 1999.
A New One For John
You'd think by this time Hall Of Famer John Fogerty would have played gigs in every kind of venue imaginable. But he'll be following a major league baseball game for the first time on April 24th when he launches the Tampa Bay Rays 2010 Rays Summer Concert Series. The guy who wrote "Centerfield" will be playing at the Ray's Tropicana Field immediately after their game against the Toronto Blue Jays. A little further down the road, the 2010 Rays Summer Concert Series will include ZZ Top and Hall & Oates.
It was G. K. Chesterton who said: "There are some desires that are not desirable."
It was Mae West who said: "There are no good girls gone wrong, just bad girls found out."
AMA Superbikes
This Weekend!: Heads up for J.B. when the AMA Suzuki Superbike Challenge rolls back into the Auto Club Speedway. With his old buddy Dave Koenig calling the play-by-play, Unc will be doing color commentary as well as pre-race and Victory Lane interviews for all four of the big races.
March 25, 2010
Soul goddess Aretha Franklin is 68.
Sir Elton John is 63.
On this day in 1960, Roy Orbison recorded "Only the Lonely" and Ray Charles recorded "Georgia on My Mind." So, what have you done today?
On this day in 1967, The Doors' incredible debut album entered the charts.
This weekend, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of The Grateful Dead as well as conversation with Mickey Hart and Jerry Garcia. Stream on!
Big Party For John
Liverpool, John Lennon's hometown, will host a two month festival to celebrate his 70th birthday. Music, film, art and poetry events are being organized in honor of The Beatle who was murdered in New York on December 8, 1980. The festival will run from John's birthday on October 9th through December 9th — 30 years and a day after his death. 2010 also marks the 50th anniversary of The Beatles forming and 40th anniversary of their split.
Here Come The Golden Gods
The second annual Revolver Golden Gods Awards show will tape on April 8th at the L.A. Live Club Nokia. When guitar god Slash opens the program with several numbers from his upcoming debut solo album "Slash," he'll be joined by bassist Lemmy of Motörhead, guitarist Andrew Stockdale of Wolfmother and singer Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge. Lemmy and Slash will then team up with Foo Fighter/Them Crooked Vultures Dave Grohl to perform Motörhead's "Ace of Spades" before Grohl presents Lemmy with the Revolver Golden Gods Lifetime Achievement Award. We can only hope that everyone's hearing will return to normal by the time the show airs on VH1 Classic on May 22nd!
Partying For The Rainforest
Of course Sir Elton John will be there for his old buddy Sting's The Rainforest Fund's 21st Birthday Celebration Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall on May 13th. But the coolness factor this year centers on Lady GaGa performing with Sir Elty and Dame Shirley Bassey showing them all how to sing! Sting's wife Trudie Styler produces the annual concert and the gala dinner. Since its inception in 1989, over 115,000 acres of rainforest have been protected by the nonprofit organization.
Jim Marshall Passes
Legendary Rock & Roll photographer Jim Marshall died in his sleep Tuesday night in New York at the age of 74. A great storyteller, Marshall earned unparalleled access to music's biggest artists, including Bob Dylan, The Who, Miles Davis and Ray Charles. He was the only photographer granted backstage access for The Beatles' final full concert at San Francisco's Candlestick Park in 1966, and he also shot The Rolling Stones on their historic 1972 tour. Marshall's most famous images, which wound up on more than 500 album and CD covers, in magazines, newspapers and on posters, include his shot of Jimi Hendrix burning his guitar at the Monterey Pop Festival and Johnny Cash flipping the bird at San Quentin. Rest in peace.
It was Yogi Berra who said: "I didn't really say everything I said."
It was Plato who said: "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools talk because they have to say something."
March 26, 2010
Vocalist Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and keyboardist Richard Tandy of the Electric Light Orchestra are both 62.
Fran Sheehan, the original bassist in Boston, is 61.
On this day in 1965, Jeff Beck, as recommended by Jimmy Page, officially replaced Eric Clapton in The Yardbirds. Thus did The Yardbirds encompass the holy trinity of British rock guitar gods (and who knew that they all grew up within 15 miles of each other!).
On this day in 1975, The Who's strange film version of their rock opera "Tommy," as directed by Ken Russell, debuted in London.
On this day in 2009, John Mayhew, the Genesis drummer replaced by Phil Collins, passed away of a heart related ailment the day before his 63rd birthday.
Suing Axl
Getting paid for services rendered is the American way. To that end, Irving Azoff's Front Line Management sued Guns N' Roses' frontman Axl Rose on Thursday for nearly $1.9 million in unpaid commissions due on over $12 million in earnings Rose made for performances abroad. The no nonsense Azoff has represented famous musicians such as the Eagles and Joe Walsh, and is currently the executive chairman of Live Nation Entertainment Inc., which recently merged with Ticketmaster Entertainment. Stay tuned!
Scorps To Rock Walk
You're welcome to be part of The Scorpions' induction into Hollywood's Rock Walk Of Fame on April 6th at the Guitar Center on Hollywood Boulevard. Previous inductees include Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Johnny Cash, Steve Miller, ZZ Top and Elvis Presley.
Chickenfoot Again
Word is that Chickenfoot is heading to the studio next month! Frontman Sammy Hagar reports, "Chad (Smith) has a little window from the Chili Peppers, and we're going to go in and start recording a second album. We're not going to rush it, we're going to start... Joe (Satriani) and I are always writing." Along with Sammy, drummer Smith and guitar god Satriani, Van Halen alum Michael Anthony completes the band on bass. Hagar's even holding off on a solo tour just in case Chickenfoot wants to go out this Fall. Rock on!
Jimi's Rock Band
Prepare to have your air guitar ego smashed and burned: Jimi Hendrix is coming to "Rock Band!" His second album, "Axis: Bold as Love," will be available as a download to the video game as of next Tuesday.
It was Dudley Moore who said: "The best car safety device is a rearview mirror with a cop in it."
It was Arthur Baer who said: "It was as helpful as throwing a drowning man both ends of the rope."
March 27, 2010
Keyboardist Tony Banks of Genesis is 60.
Guitarist Andrew Farriss of INXS is 51.
On this day in 1965, "The Last Time" by The Rolling Stones and The Who's classic "I Can't Explain" both entered the charts. Good Lord!
On this day in 1971, "What Is Life" by George Harrison peaked at #10 on the singles charts.
On this day in 1979, Eric Clapton finally married George Harrison's ex-wife, Patti Boyd, in Tucson, Arizona.
On this day in 1981, the album "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" by AC/DC was finally released in the States. The album peaked at #4 and sold 2 million copies by year's end.
On this day in 1986, Sammy Hagar played his first gig with Van Halen.
On this day in 1987, U2 filmed the "rooftop" video for "Where The Streets Have No Name" in downtown Los Angeles.
March 28, 20010
Keyboardist John Evan, whose odd little blues group later struck fame and fortune as Jethro Tull, is 62.
On this day in 1964, The Beatles released the single "Can't Buy Me Love" backed with "You Can't Do That."
On this day in 1967, Van Morrison recorded the song "Brown Eyed Girl" in two or three takes at A&R Studios in New York.
On this day in 1970, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's cover of Joni Mitchell's song "Woodstock" entered the charts as John Lennon's "Instant Karma (We All Shine On)" peaked at #3.
On this day in 1973, Led Zeppelin released the classic "Houses of the Holy" album.
On this day in 1981, John Lennon's "Watching The Wheels" entered the singles charts.
On this day in 1986, Bob Seger released his "Like A Rock" album.
On this day in 1992, "Tears in Heaven," the song Eric Clapton wrote for his late son, peaked at #2 on the singles chart almost a year to the day that the four-year-old died.
On this day in 1996, singer/drummer Phil Collins announced he was leaving Genesis. In an interesting twist, his announcement came 20 years to the day of his live debut replacing Peter Gabriel as Genesis' singer.
March 29, 2010
Vocalist Bobby Kimball of Toto is 63.
Guitarist Barry Goudreau of the original Boston is 59.
Blues Traveler singer/harmonica wizard John Popper is 43.
On this day in 1967, The Beatles began recording one of their most famous songs at Abbey Road Studios in London under the working title of "Bad Finger Boogie" — by the time it was completed, it was known as "With A Little Help From My Friends."
On this day in 1968, the original Fleetwood Mac, featuring Peter Green, released "Black Magic Woman" in Britain. The song wasn't a pop hit in the U.S. until Santana released their version two years later.
On this day in 1972, Jackson Browne began working on his first album.
On this day in 2005, Neil Young had surgery for a brain aneurysm in a New York hospital.
Plant On The Road
Of course you knew that there wasn't a cold chance in hell that Led Zeppelin would reform to play some festivals this Summer, but would you have guessed occasional Zep singer Robert Plant would tour on his own? Robert has resurrected his old Band of Joy project to quickly record a new album and do some touring. The LP will be out between June and Christmas, and the first 12 dates of the tour will start on July 13th in Memphis. Word is Mr. Plant will hit the Southland this Fall. The upcoming release will be Plant's first LP since "Raising Sand," the 2007 multi-platinum, GRAMMY-winning collaboration with Alison Krauss. With Krauss recording and touring with her own Union Station band, working together on their eventual follow-up to "Raising Sand" will have to wait until next year.
Bob To Tour (Maybe)
Talk about a stunner from Mr. Bob Seger himself! Last week, Walmart began selling "Early Seger Vol. 1," a collection of remastered Seger songs from the early Seventies. Then, while casually promoting that release with an old friend in Detroit radio, Bob casually mentioned "We're thinking about maybe a tour later this year... We're looking at some dates and trying to get some buildings, maybe October-November. We just started three days ago and we'll see what's available." Seger last hit the road in 2007 — his first tour in over a decade. Now if we could just get him to cut loose a few of those 250+ unreleased songs in his vault!
Triumph Triumph
After years of internal discord, Triumph are going to release a brand new "Greatest Hits" album/DVD on May 18th. The Canadian trio remixed 13 of their biggest hits and a previously unreleased cover version of the Felice and Boudleaux Bryant classic "Love Hurts" (previously covered by The Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison and Nazareth, among many others). The long waited Triumph DVD will include rarely seen promo videos and live performances. As for a tour, well...
It was Marty Indik who said: "Confusion is always the most honest response."
It was Peter F. Drucker who said: "The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said."
Monday Morning Factoids
It was the custom among men in ancient Rome, when swearing to tell the truth, to place one's right hand on one's testicles. The English word "testimony" is related to this custom.
To double the firepower, British infantry once fired volleys from two ranks with the rear rank standing behind the front rank kneeling. Rear rankers about to fire warned front rankers to keep heads down by calling out, "Beware before!" Then, "'Ware before!" Then just, "'Fore!" And now you know why golfers yell "Fore!"
March 30, 2010
Drummer Graeme Edge of the Moody Blues is 69.
Guitar god Eric Clapton is 65.
On this day in 1967, The Beatles shot the photo for the cover of their "Sgt. Pepper" album.
On this day in 1968, David Bowie made his debut with the Lindsay Kemp mime troupe in the show "Pierrot in Turquoise." It sucked.
On this day in 1974, the Ramones played their first live show at the Performance Studio on East 23rd Street in New York. At least some of the 30 people in the audience paid to be there.
On this day in 1976, the Sex Pistols performed their first show for a group of 50 at London's 100 Club. It's still not clear if anyone paid to be there.
On this day in 1977, the Eagles' "Hotel California" hit #1 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart.
On this day in 1982, the Doobie Brothers announced their break-up.
On this day in 1994, Pink Floyd released their final studio album, "The Division Bell."
All Hail Slash
The Sunset Strip Music Festival will be honoring famed guitarist Slash on August 26th at the House Of Blues on the Sunset Strip. But wait — there's more! The City of West Hollywood has also declared August 26th "Slash Day." The honoree said, "The Strip and West Hollywood have been my stomping grounds since I was a little kid. I grew up in and around the music scene here. It is where I got my start in the music business and where I still feel most at home." Additional acts will be announced soon for the three-day Festival that plays at six major venues: The Cat Club, House Of Blues, Key Club, Roxy, Viper Room and Whisky. Slash's self-titled solo album will arrive in stores on April 6th.
Ozzy Screams
Not sure if Ozzy Osbourne had really planned on calling his new album "Soul Sucka," but after fans complained, The Prince Of Darkness decided to rename it "Scream." You can get a taste of it when one of the new songs — "Let Me Hear You Scream" — appears in the April 14th episode of CBS' "CSI: NY." The album itself will be out in July.
Rush Honored & Revealed
Rush's induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Sunday was both memorable and revealing. In accepting the honor, drummer/lyricist Neil Peart said, "One big reason for our unaccountable longevity is that we have always been involved equally in creating our songs - words and music. It should be remembered that a three-piece band cannot be a democracy. It's no good having two winning members and one who feels like a loser. We always aim to find consensus." Guitarist Alex Lifeson later revealed the boys have six new songs ready to take into the studio. He expects the band to showcase some of those tunes when they hit the road in June. After they wrap the tour in mid-October, they'll likely write and record more material through the end of the year and maybe into early next year before the album comes out in Spring 2011. A more substantial tour will roll in the Summer of 2011, so plan your social schedule appropriately!
P.J.'s CO2 Offset
Pearl Jam are teaming up with an urban forest restoration company to help offset the carbon emissions they created during their 2009 and 2010 world tours. The band is funding 33 acres of native trees and plants to be grown around the Puget Sound area to help mitigate their CO2 emissions. Learn more about how you can help at CascadeLand.org.
It was Oscar Wilde who said: "The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple."
It was Mae West who said: "When women go wrong, men go right after them."
It was Ann Landers who said: "Assume nothing. Inside every dumb blond there may be a very smart brunette."
March 31, 2010
Guitarist Mick Ralphs of Bad Company is 62.
Guitarist Angus Young of AC/DC turns a bouncy 55.
On this day in 1967, Jimi Hendrix torched his guitar on stage for the first time, at a concert at Finsbury Park, England.
On this day in 1972, America's self-titled debut album hit #1.
On this day in 1976, Led Zeppelin's "Presence" album was released.
On this day in 1998, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant released their "Walking Into Clarksdale" album.
This weekend, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Journey as well as more of Joe's conversations with Steve Perry, Neal Schon, Gregg Rolie, Ross Valory and Jonathan Cain. Stream on!
Mars Solo (Sort Of)
So Motley Crue wrapped up the North American leg of their "Dead Of Winter Tour" in Montreal last month, and now lead guitarist Mick Mars says he's going solo! Actually, the 58-year-old says that he's working on some solo material in his personal studio, but no details were forthcoming. The Crue will play a number of European festivals this Summer, beginning with the Sonisphere Festival in Knebworth, England on July 31st.
Ray & Jackson Together (Almost)
Both Ray Davies (with a choir!) and Jackson Browne will be closing out this year's Glastonbury Music Festival in Pilton, England. Headliners for the massive June 23rd through the 27th event will include Muse, U2 and Stevie Wonder.
G&R To Reading & Leeds
Guns N’ Roses will headline England’s legendary Reading and Leeds Festivals. Whether Axl Rose will actually take the stage when he's supposed to on August 27th in Reading and on the 29th in Leeds is debatable since they basically took the stage the day after they were scheduled in 2002. Same as it ever was, same as it ever was.
It was Coach John Wooden who said: "Ability is a poor man's wealth."
It was Kin Hubbard who said: "The only way to entertain some folks is to listen to them."
It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who said: "Money often costs too much."
April Fool's Day
As you know, tomorrow is April Fool's Day. Personally, I live by Mark Twain's observation, "Without fools, the rest of us could not succeed." Just the same, here's a primer on this weird little 'Holiday.'
In sixteenth-century France, the start of the New Year was observed on April 1st much the same way as it is today with parties and dancing into the late hours of the night. But in 1562, Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian world, and his New Year began on January 1st. Communications being what they were in the days when news traveled by foot, many people didn't receive the word on the new calendar for several years. As for the more obstinate French folks, they continued to celebrate the New Year on April 1st. Eventually, the general populace labeled these people as "fools." They were subject to ridicule, and were often sent on "fools errands" or were made the butt of other practical jokes. Over time, this kind of harassment evolved into a tradition of prank playing on the first day of April. By the eighteenth century, the tradition had spread to England and Scotland, and was later introduced to the American colonies of both the English and French. April Fool's Day thus developed into an international fun fest, so to speak, with different nationalities specializing in their own brand of humor at the expense of their friends and families.
Around the world these days, April Fool's Day is a "for-fun-only" observance. Nobody is expected to buy gifts or to take their "significant other" out to eat in a fancy restaurant. Nobody gets off work or school. It's simply a fun little holiday, but one on which we must remain forever vigilant. Now come on mate, pull my finger.