May 1 - 10, 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!
May 1, 2010
On this day in 1965, The Rolling Stones' "The Last Time" peaked at #9 on the U.S. singles chart.
On this day in 1966, The Beatles played their last live show for a paying audience. London's Wembley Arena was the venue, and others on the bill included The Rolling Stones and The Who.
On this day in 1967, 32-year-old Elvis Presley married 21-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu seven years after they first met. You can do the math.
On this day in 1971, The Rolling Stones released the "Brown Sugar" single — the group's first release on its own Rolling Stones Records label. No word if the band ever got paid.
On this day in 1975, The Rolling Stones announced their upcoming tour by playing live on a flatbed truck driving down Fifth Avenue in New York City.
May 2, 2010
Bob Henrit, who played drums for The Kinks and Argent, is 66.
Vocalist Lou Gramm of Foreigner is 60.
Styx drummer Todd Sucherman is 41.
On this day in 1965, although he swore he would never allow the band to appear on his show again, Ed Sullivan featured The Rolling Stones for a second time. They performed "The Last Time," "Little Red Rooster," "Everybody Needs Somebody," and "2120 South Michigan Avenue." So many little girls wet their pants in excitement during The Stones' performance that the Ed Sullivan Theater had to be fumigated the next day.
On this day in 1969, after several failed attempts, The Beatles finally recorded George Harrison's "Something" to their satisfaction.
On this day in 1977, Eric Clapton recorded his song "Wonderful Tonight."
On this day in 1979, the movie version of The Who's "Quadrophenia" opened, and drummer Kenny Jones (of The Faces) played his first official gig as Keith Moon's replacement.
On this day in 1992, Tom Petty released the song "Peace In L.A.", written and recorded the day before, in the wake of the April 29th Rodney King verdict and subsequent rioting.
On this day in 2005, Cream — featuring Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker — launched a four-night stand at London's Royal Albert Hall. The show marked the first time the three legends had performed together since Cream's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, and the first time Cream had played in public since the band staged its farewell concerts at the venue in November 1968.
May 3, 2010
The Godfather of Soul, James Brown, would have been 77.
Bassist Bruce Hall of REO Speedwagon is 57.
Guitarist Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols is 54.
On this day in 1969, "Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival entered the charts.
On this day in 1971, at a gig in Denmark, Led Zeppelin played "Four Sticks" live for the first and only time in their career.
On this day in 1971, multi-platinum album selling Grand Funk Railroad, who were notorious for refusing to talk to the press, chose New York to finally hold their first ever press conference. The press demonstrated their respect for the well-spoken, swell-playin' trio when just six journalists showed up. And truthfully, five of them came solely for the free food.
On this day in 1976, Paul McCartney began his first coast-to-coast tour of America with his new band, Wings, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Return Of The Ozz
Ozzy Osbourne's bringing back his heavy metal OzzFest bigger and bolder than ever! The lovable Prince Of Darkness will be performing along with Mötley Crüe, Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford and nine bands on each stop of the tour. OzzFest, featuring two stages this time around, will kick off August 14th at the San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino.
Here Comes Rock Of Ages
The hit Broadway musical "Rock Of Ages" that features the music of Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Pat Benatar and Whitesnake among others, and stars "American Idol" finalist Constantine Maroulis, is becoming a multi-platform success. A movie version is in the works and due out next year, and the national tour rolls out in September with planned runs at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles February 15th – 27th and at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa from March 1st – 6th. Rock on!
Lep's Getting Ready To Work
Def Leppard is ramping up again. A number of personal and family health issues caused the band to cancel the third leg of their American tour last Fall. But these days the guys are back to writing new material and planning the release of live recordings plus a box set to celebrate their debut album’s 30th anniversary.
Larry The Actor
U2 drummer Larry Mullen — the quiet one in the Irish group — will be featured in the upcoming remake of the 2002 French film "Man on a Train." Mullen will play a bank robber alongside Donald Sutherland and Graham Greene. No word on when the film will be released, but it will be interesting to see if Larry's still sporting the bank robber goatee when the band gets their tour back into gear in June!
It was NFL Hall Of Fame Quarterback Joe Theisman who said: "The word 'genius' isn't applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."
It was Albert Einstein who said: "What I see depends on where I'm at."
It was Kin Hubbard who said: "Very often the quiet fellow has said all he knows."
Maybe It's Not What You Eat
1. Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats, and still suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
CONCLUSION
Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
May 4, 2010
Surf guitar god Dick Dale is 73.
Drag racing icon John Force is 61.
Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars is 59.
Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt is 38.
On this day in 1970, four students protesting the Vietnam war were killed and 11 more were wounded by National Guard troops at Kent State University. In reaction, massive anti-war protests swept the country and Neil Young wrote and immediately recorded "Ohio" with Crosby, Stills & Nash.
On this day in 1974, Grand Funk Railroad's cover of "The Loco-Motion" hit #1 on the singles chart.
On this day in 1985, Don Henley's "All She Wants To Do Is Dance" peaked at #9 as Foreigner's "That Was Yesterday" topped out at #12 on the singles chart.
On this day in 1987, blues guitarist Paul Butterfield died of a drug overdose at his Los Angeles home. He was only 44.
On this day in 2005, Bruce Springsteen's "Devils and Dust" debuted at #1 on the "Billboard Top 200 Albums" chart.
Bonham's Experience
Occasional Led Zeppelin drummer Jason Bonham will take his Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience on the road in September. In a homage to his father, Led Zeppelin's John Bonham, Jason will perform 30 shows to mark the 30th anniversary of John's death. The concerts will feature Jason and his band playing Zeppelin songs while photos, home videos and more are displayed behind them. No dates have been announced yet, but they'll be out soon!
Rush Flick Wins
As usual at New York's Tribeca Film Festival, audience members checking out screenings were asked to rate each movie after seeing it. Out of the 85 films in this year's festival, "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage" won the Heineken Audience Award. In addition, the filmmakers behind the documentary about the Canadian rockers won a cash prize of $25,000. We all will finally be able to see "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage" when it airs on Vh1 and Vh1 Classic on June 26th. Don't be late!
May & Crew Say Bollocks
Def Leppard's Joe Elliott, Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi, Foo Fighters' Taylor Hawkins and Ozzy's wife/manager Sharon Osbourne are but a few who joined Queen guitarist Brian May to create a video urging Brits not to vote for the Conservative party in Thursday's election. May and his crew feel that if the pro-hunting Conservatives get into power, they will reverse the law banning the hunting of foxes. Check out the clip on YouTube by searching "Bollocks To The Economy" or logging onto http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eef8SSGOsuM. By the way, "bollocks" specifically means "testicles" but is often used figuratively in British English as an expletive and/or a noun to mean "nonsense." Really.
Inducting Jerseyites
Danny DeVito was inducted into New Jersey's Hall of Fame on Sunday by Jersey's own Bruce Springsteen. Then DeVito and The Boss performed "Glory Days" as a tribute to their home state. Other inductees included the late Les Paul, actress Susan Sarandon, author Judy Blume and actor Jack Nicholson, who skipped one of his beloved L.A. Lakers' play-off games to attend the ceremony.
It was Steven Wright who asked: "If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?"
It was Eleanor Roosevelt who said: "Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself."
It was David H. Comins who said: "I might repeat to myself slowly and soothingly, a list of quotations beautiful from minds profound — if I could remember any of the damn things."
May 5, 2010
Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward is 62.
KLOS' own Brian Phelps is physically one year older today.
On this day in 1968, Buffalo Springfield performed their last gig together in Long Beach.
This weekend, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Judas Priest and Joe's brand new conversation with singer Rob Halford as well as the music of and conversation with, Ozzy Osbourne. Stream on!
Bret Michaels Update
Doctors for Poison frontman Bret Michaels say he is a "very lucky" man. Dr. Joseph Zabramski confirmed yesterday that the singer had been discharged from the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, but is still recovering after suffering a massive brain hemorrhage. Michaels entered the hospital on April 22nd with a severe headache and was discovered to have severe bleeding on his brain — a spontaneous subarachnoid aneurysm that could have been fatal if left untreated. Dr. Zabramski confirmed that the rocker is walking, but not very well, noting that he is still "very sick." He anticipates that it will take weeks for Michaels to fully recover.
KISS GaGa Over GaGa
Are you surprised that KISS' Gene Simmons considers Lady GaGa a kindred spirit? He says that he loves GaGa's flamboyance and wouldn't mind recruiting her to be the honorary fifth member of his band. "I love the vibe, the big mouth and the big visuals. She's the most exciting thing to happen since us. She's the female version of us." The never-reserved 60-year-old went on to call the pop star "Lady KISS" and to suggest that GaGa's theatricality may have been inspired by the hard-rocking band with a multi-decade track record. Or maybe not.
Heaven & Hell On Hold
Sad to report that Heaven & Hell has cancelled all of their European Summer concerts. The Black Sabbath off shoot — Tony Iommi, Ronnie James Dio, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice — cited Dio's ongoing problems with stomach cancer.
Satriani Ready
Having completed his immediate commitments to Chickenfoot (his super group with Sammy Hagar, Chad Smith and Michael Anthony), guitar god Joe Satriani is ready to record some new solo material. Over the weekend Satch said, "The new material is dying to be recorded, and I can't wait to get started." He and his band (drummer Jeff Campitelli, bass player Allen Whitman and keyboardist Mike Keneally) will tour Europe this Fall.
It was Dave Barry who said: "Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic."
It was Kin Hubbard who said: "There is plenty of peace in any home where the family doesn't make the mistake of trying to get together."
It was Theodore Roosevelt who said: "If you could kick the person responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month."
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo is an actual holiday (not an invented commercial holiday) that commemorates Mexico's victory over France in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Although Mexico declared its independence from Spain on September 15, 1810, it took 11 years to get word to the Spanish soldiers, forcing them to leave Mexico. Then the French moved in and took over. Cinco de Mayo celebrates the day that 4,000 Mexican soldiers smashed the French army of 8,000. That defeat prevented Napoleon III from supplying the American Confederate rebels for another year, thus allowing the United States to build the greatest army the world had ever seen. That huge U.S. army smashed the Confederates at Gettysburg just 14 months after the battle of Puebla, essentially ending the Civil War. For whatever reason, Americans of every ethnicity celebrate Cinco de Mayo just like we do our version of St. Patrick's Day. To that end, I personally propose a toast to freedom and liberty! With a strawberry margarita, of course!
May 6, 2010
Detroit rocker Bob Seger is 65.
Davey Johnstone, Elton John's longtime guitarist, is 59.
On this day in 1957, Chuck Berry recorded "Rock & Roll Music."
On this day in 1965, Rolling Stone Keith Richards woke up in a Clearwater, Florida hotel room and discovered that he had composed the "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" riff on his tape recorder while he slept.
On this day in 1971, while on their way home from a small gig in Sunderland, England, The Who stopped for a roadside leak at a construction site outside Sheffield. Before long, a photo of their urination episode became the "Who's Next" album cover art — one of the most famous LP covers in all of Rock & Roll history.
Halford From Anaheim
In addition to being featured on this week's OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson, Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford will release the double-CD soundtrack to his "Halford — Live In Anaheim" DVD on June 21st. The DVD itself, filmed in 2003 and featuring bonus footage from the 58-year-old Metal God's '03 Japanese shows, will be out on August 3rd. The "Halford Crucible — Remixed & Remastered" album will be unleashed on July 12th. Rob will also be working his vocal chords on the 6-date OzzFest in August as well as a number of gigs with his solo band. Rock on!
Good Rush News
The good news for Rush just keeps rolling in. Last week "Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage," the independently filmed documentary about them, won the Heineken Audience Award at the Tribeca Film Festival. This week "Snakes & Arrows Live," the band’s most recent concert DVD, was certified double-platinum for sales of over 200,000 copies in the U.S. Let the touring begin!
You Design STP T-Shirts
With Stone Temple Pilots self-titled album coming out later this month, the band has launched a contest in which fans will be creating their newest t-shirt image. The design must incorporate the band's logo, but should not be a duplicate of existing merchandise or album artwork. Fans can download approved STP logos from the style guide on the Design By Humans website. For the official rules and other information visit www.designbyhumans.com/special_contest/details/24.
Beck For Les
The legendary Les Paul would have been 95 on June 9th, and to celebrate, guitar god Jeff Beck will perform two intimate shows at Les' old hangout, New York’s Iridium Jazz Club. Beck's performances on June 8th and 9th are being called "A Celebration Of Les Paul." You can expect a mix of classic Les songs as Jeff is joined by the Imelda May Band, who he played with during a tribute to Paul at the 2010 GRAMMY Awards.
It was Coach John Wooden who said: "Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."
It was U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle who said: "I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix."
It was Benjamin Franklin who said: "Wise men don't need advice. Fools won't take it."
A Few Somewhat Disturbing Factoids
On average, a disposable diaper can hold up to seven pounds (approximately one gallon) of liquid.
On average, an American home has three-to-ten gallons of hazardous materials.
The height of the 984-foot-tall Eiffel Tower varies, depending on the temperature, by as much as 6 inches. And yes ma'am, that's a real 6 inches, not some French guy's estimate.
May 7, 2010
Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann is 64.
Tubes drummer (and founding member of Journey) Prairie Prince is 60.
Drummer Chris Frantz of the Talking Heads is 59.
On this day in 1968, piano player/singer Reginald Dwight changed his name to Elton John.
On this day in 1977, the Eagles' "Hotel California" album and song were #1.
On this day in 1998, singer Steve Perry, who was suffering from degenerative hip problems, left Journey when the band decided to tour without him.
Ozzman Goes Small
In a calculated twist to make his return to Jolly Olde England something special, Ozzy Osbourne is playing in some of the smallest halls of his career this Summer. To that end, Ozzy and his band will pulverize the 1,300 capacity O2 Academy on June 29th, rock the 1,500 capacity Leas Cliff Hall on July 1st and then do a free show at the Roundhouse (1,800 reserved or 3,300 general admission) in London on July 3rd. Besides the great close up views for the lucky fans who make it into those gigs, imagine the sound pressure levels! Outrageous!
Foxx/Jovi/Idol
It's strongly rumored that Bon Jovi will "drop in" on Wednesday night's "American Idol" results show... and it's also rumored that the New Jersey band's appearance will tie in with the previous night's broadcast when the Final Four contestants will be mentored by Oscar and GRAMMY winner Jamie Foxx. If Jamie Foxx singing a Bon Jovi song seems a little farfetched, you should recall that Jon Bon Jovi earned an Oscar-nomination for his song "Blaze of Glory" from the "Young Guns II" film.
Helping The Irish (In New York)
Former President Bill Clinton was on hand to help U2's Bono and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at the American Ireland Fund 35th Anniversary New York Gala Thursday night. The event at the Lincoln Center raised about $2.5 million dollars to benefit the Music Network Scheme in Ireland in partnership with U2 as well as the Forgotten Irish elderly poverty campaign in New York.
Winwood's Collection
The legendary Steve Winwood says he personally selected the songs for his "Revolutions – The Very Best of Steve Winwood" compilation. In addition to the single CD release on June 8th, there will be a very impressive deluxe box set featuring 4 CDs and a 52-page book. The multiple GRAMMY-winner — whose career spans 50 years running from The Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and Blind Faith with Eric Clapton — will be touring this Summer with Carlos Santana after performing at Eric Clapton's 2010 Crossroads Festival on June 26th in Chicago.
Thought For The Weekend
It was Agatha Christie who said: "A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."
Mom's Day
Mother's Day celebrations date back at least as far as ancient Greece, where worshipers observed a Spring day in honor of Rhea, the Mother of the gods. In 17th century England, Christians celebrated "Mothering Sunday," the fourth Sunday in Lent, to honor the Virgin Mary and other faithful moms. In the United States, Julia Ward Howe, (who wrote the lyrics to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic"), suggested the idea of Mother's Day in 1872. But it wasn't until 1908 that a state (West Virginia) declared an official Mother's Day celebration. The idea took off from there, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday of May to be the official Mother's Day. But enough of the history! Get out and get your mom something as nice as she deserves!
May 8, 2010
Blues great Robert Johnson would have been 99 if he hadn't made a pact with the devil at the crossroads and then been killed by a jealous husband at age 27.
Convicted pedophile/rock star Gary Glitter is now 70.
Yardbirds bassist Paul Samwell-Smith is 68.
Drummer Alex Van Halen is 57.
On this day in 1956, Alfred E. Newman first appeared in "Mad" magazine asking the classic question "What, me worry?"
On this day in 1965, the so-called British Invasion reached its zenith when nine of the songs in the Billboard Top 10 were by British artists.
On this day in 1976, "Show Me The Way" by Peter Frampton peaked at #6 and Steve Miller's "Take The Money And Run" entered the charts on its way to #11.
On this day in 1993, Aerosmith's "Get a Grip" entered the Billboard Top 200 album chart at #1, making it the group's highest-debuting and highest-charting album.
May 9, 2010
Guitarist Richie Furay of Buffalo Springfield and Poco fame is 66.
Piano Man Billy Joel is 61.
Bassist Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick is 60.
On this day in 1785, Joseph Bramah patented the beer-pump handle, thus assuring the eventual existence of bar bands.
On this day in 1962, The Beatles signed their first recording contract with EMI Records, beginning one of the most famous and successful careers in recording history.
On this day in 1970, The Guess Who's "American Woman/No Sugar Tonight" hit #1 as "Woodstock" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young peaked at #11 on the charts.
On this day in 1974, Bruce Springsteen opened for Bonnie Raitt in Boston, and Bonnie allowed Bruce to perform his traditional two-hour set in its entirety. In the audience was critic and future Bruce manager Jon Landau, who wrote the next day, "I saw rock & roll's future and its name is Bruce Springsteen." Though true, it took Springsteen years to live that quote down.
May 10, 2010
Solo artists Dave Mason and Donovan, and songwriter Graham Gouldman of 10cc are all 64 today. Now that could be one interesting party.
Bassist and world-class deadbeat Sid Vicious of The Sex Pistols would have been 53.
Bono, the voice of U2 (and some say his generation), is 50.
KLOS' Bob Buchmann is physically another year older.
On this day in 1963, The Rolling Stones did their first professional recording session in London for Decca Records (who casually rejected the results).
On this day in 1965, The Rolling Stones recorded their first attempt on Keith Richards' song "Satisfaction" at Chess Studios in Chicago. Two days later, they got it right in a 30-minute session at RCA Studios in Hollywood.
On this day in 1967, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones appeared in separate courts facing separate drug charges.
On this day in 1974, Eric Clapton recorded his cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff."
On this day in 1974, Led Zeppelin threw a party celebrating the launch of their Swan Song record label at the Bel Air Hotel in Los Angeles. The bash ended with the guests tossing food, china and other guests at one another. Don't believe me? Ask your mom!
On this day in 1978, with Brian Jones long dead and Keith Richards cleaned up for the first time in years, The Rolling Stones released the biggest hit of the Summer of '78, "Miss You."
Stones Week On Late Night
As a lead-up to next week's reissue of The Rolling Stones classic "Exile On Main Street" album, NBC's "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" is dedicating this week's shows to The Stones. "Rolling Stones Week" will debut with a cover of a track from "Exile" as interpreted by Green Day, followed by performances throughout the week from country star Keith Urban, pop superstar Sheryl Crow and veteran jam band Phish. On Friday, "Late Night" will debut the Stones' new documentary about the making of the 1972 album, "Stones In Exile."
All Dressed Up
Better pick up your flowing dress from the cleaners! The 20th Annual Night Of A Thousand Stevies is happening at the Highline Ballroom in NYC this Friday night. While the participants singing may be suspect, the annual drag show/tribute to Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks is sure to be a visual adventure.
More Than Just Another Poll?
Celine Dion and U2 were the top two acts in a new Harris Interactive poll in which American adults were asked "Who is your favorite singer/musician?" Elvis Presley and The Beatles shared the number three position.
Slash & Ellen
Slash's media blitz in support of his new self-titled solo album continues on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" tomorrow. The former Guns 'N' Roses guitarist will perform "Gotten" from the "Slash" album with the track's vocalist, Adam Levine of Maroon 5.
It was Goodman Ace who said: "The best cure for hypochondria is to forget about your body and get interested in someone else's."
It was Norman Vincent Peale who said: "Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that."
It was Groucho Marx who said: "Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others."
Hot Rods In Costa Mesa
This Saturday! 10am - Noon: Uncle Joe will be right back in the middle of the 4th Good Guys Orange County Get Together Hot Rod Show, chatting with fans and admiring the best Hot Rods the O.C. has to offer! Here's a sample of what it will look like.