July 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!
July 1, 2010
Blues legend Willie Dixon would have been 96.
Blondie singer Deborah Harry is 65.
Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd is 58.
On this day in 1963, The Beatles recorded "She Loves You" and "I'll Get You" at Abbey Road Studios.
On this day in 1969, The Doors released their "The Soft Parade" album, which featured the scandalous single "Touch Me."
On this date in 1981, Steppenwolf bass player John Morey died in a car crash in Los Angeles at the age of 32. He is best known as the author of "Magic Carpet Ride."
On this day in 1987, The Grateful Dead released their most successful album, "In the Dark," featuring the song "Touch of Grey."
On this day in 1995, legendary D.J. Wolfman Jack suffered a heart attack and died in his home in Belvidere, North Carolina. He was only 57.
This weekend, over 90 stations will air OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson featuring the music of Deep Purple as well as more of Joe's conversation with singer Ian Gillan. Stream on!
40 Years Later...
From the "where the hell have you been for the last 40 years" file, folk singer Jake Holmes is suing Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. In a case of weird timing, Jake's alleging that Pagey stole one of his songs for the Zep's 1969 classic "Dazed And Confused." Holmes copyrighted his version of "Dazed And Confused" in 1967, two years before the Zeppelin recorded their song of the same name. Unfortunately for Holmes, even if a court agrees that Page stole the tune from him four decades ago, he can only collect damages from the last three years due to a statute of limitations.
Sammy's Stories
This will be good! Former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar's long awaited memoir will be released next year. The press release hypes that Hagar "will provide readers with incredible behind-the-scenes stories from his multi-platinum career, including his rise as a solo artist and his eleven years with Van Halen, after the controversial departure of original lead vocalist David Lee Roth." And not with just a few 4 letter words, we're thinking! Meanwhile, Sammy will open a few dates on this Summer's Aerosmith tour and continue to work with Chickenfoot, which includes former Van Halen bandmate Michael Anthony, guitar god Joe Satriani and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' drummer Chad Smith.
Tyler's Happy (Sort Of)
After a canceled national tour and a highly publicized stint in rehab as well as nasty rumors of his departure from the band, Steven Tyler says that things are great with Aerosmith. Steven says (and many agree), "The band has never been better, I'm singing better... It's been beautiful and I realized when I was taking care of my problems that the band is all I really care about." And he also confirms that the band has a new album in the works. As for calling it quits any time soon, Tyler says, "I'll be doing this 20 years from now. I'll be doing this as long as sound comes out of my mouth."
Forbes Top 100
As you'd expect, U2 and Bruce Springsteen ranked high in "Forbes" magazine's list of the 100 Most Powerful Celebrities. Bono and the boys came in at #7 on the "Power" list and #3 on the "Pay" list (they brought in $130 million for the past year). The Boss ranked at #17 on the "Power" list, bringing in $70 million for the year. Bon Jovi hit #21 with $50 million in billing.
It was Woody Allen who said: "Confidence is what you have before you understand the problem."
It was Robert Anthony who said: "The opposite of bravery is not cowardice but conformity."
Rush On Hollywood Walk Of Fame
Check out the fotos of Rush receiving their star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame last Friday!
July 2, 2010
NASCAR racing icon Richard "The King" Petty is 73.
Bruce Springsteen's longtime keyboardist, Roy Bittan of The E Street Band, is 61.
Bassist/vocalist Joey Puerta of Ambrosia is 59.
On this day in 1566, Michel de Nostradamus, the French astrologer and "seer of the future," died at the age of 62. His last documented words: "I knew this was going to happen."
On this day in 1947, an object crashed near Roswell, New Mexico. The U.S. Air Force insisted it was a weather balloon, but eyewitness accounts gave rise to speculation it was an alien spacecraft or, at worst, another KISS Farewell Tour.
On this day in 1969, bass player Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell quit the Jimi Hendrix Experience because of frustration with Jimi's escalating personal and professional problems.
On this day in 1971, Queen was finally set when bassist John Deacon made his live debut with the band at a college gig in Surrey, England.
On this day in 1981, Foreigner released their album "4," considered by many to be their best.
On this day in 1981, Bruce Springsteen played the 21,000 seat Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey — the first of six Springsteen concerts that launched the arena's opening.
On this day in 1983, the final album by The Police, "Synchronicity," entered the American charts on its way to 17 weeks at #1.
On this day in 1987, Sting chose not to attend his mother's funeral in order to stay in Monserrat where he was working on his "Nothing Like The Sun" album.
On this day in 2005, Live 8, the largest live concert ever held, involved over a million people listening to rock and pop musicians at 10 venues across four continents, demanding that the G8 nations move to help Africa. The "battle-of-the-bands" type showcase of most of the world's top acts was unprecedented, but it was the co-ordination of so many acts and staging in so many cities around the globe that was nothing short of amazing. The man in charge of the whole event was Live Aid organizer, Sir Bob Geldof.
Dodgers On The 5th!!
Monday! Monday! Monday! 5p - 7p: It won't be hard to find yer Uncle Joe and the KLOS Cool Patrol at the entrance to Dodger Stadium before the Los Angeles Dodgers cream the Florida Marlins... We'll be saluting the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and yes there'll be a huge Independence Day Fireworks display after the game!
Speedway Bikes!!
Wednesday July 7th, 6p - 9p: J.B. and the KLOS Cool Patrol will personally welcome you to the City of Industry Speedway as the Speedway Bikes race around without brakes! Easy to find between the 60 and 10 freeways on Temple at Azusa — see you there!
Buffett Delayed
Mother Nature had something to say about Jimmy Buffett's free Gulf Coast benefit concert — delay it! Organizers have moved the event 10 days back to July 11th due to the high probability of harsh weather. The show will take place in the Gulf Shores area of Alabama and feature sets from folks like Zac Brown Band and Kenny Chesney. Jimmy says that he's holding the concert to "demonstrate support for the people, businesses, and culture of the Gulf Coast." Of course the Head Parrot Head himself is counted among those hit by the Gulf Coast oil spill, having just opened his new $50 million Margaritaville Beach Hotel in Pensacola Beach, Florida.
Jam for The Ocean
No surprise that Pearl Jam is backing Conservation International's new Ocean Campaign by choosing "Amongst The Waves" as their new single. The video for the track will be available through iTunes next week with all proceeds going to the Ocean Campaign's committed efforts to helping societies adopt a more sustainable approach to development that considers and values nature at every turn. You can check it out at PearlJam.com/oceans.
A Quieter Black Crowes?
Throughout their career, The Black Crowes have most always been amplified (in one way or another). But now they're going to release acoustic versions of some of their greatest tunes on a new album called "Croweology." Right after the double-disc set is released on August 3rd, the band will hit the road on their "Say Goodnight to the Bad Guys" tour which will feature three-hour half acoustic/half-electric sets.
Big Screen Crossroads
So you and I missed Eric Clapton's 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival last weekend, but we can still see a highlight film from the 11-hour-plus benefit show when it plays in 475 U.S. theaters on July 27th. The movie will showcase performances from Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, Jeff Beck, ZZ Top, and others. Eric's semi-annual festival raises funds for the substance abuse rehabilitation facility that he founded in Antigua.
It was Abraham Lincoln who said: "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves."
It was Will Rogers who said: "Liberty doesn't work as well in practice as it does in speeches."
It was G. K. Chesterton who said: "I have formed a very clear conception of patriotism. I have generally found it thrust into the foreground by some fellow who has something to hide in the background. I have seen a great deal of patriotism; and I have generally found it the last refuge of the scoundrel."
Factoids For The Fourth
The Declaration of Independence, unanimously declared by the 13 United States of America, was adopted by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. But the fact is that not one single signature was signed on that day. While most of the 56 names were in place by early August, one signer, Thomas McKean, did not actually sign the Declaration until 1781. Nevertheless, July 4th was the day singled out to mark the event of the United States establishing itself as a nation.
Of the signers, 24 were lawyers and jurists; 11 were merchants; 9 were farmers and large plantation owners; all were men of means and well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War, with five captured by the British and tortured before they died. Most of the 56 lost family members, 12 had their homes ransacked and burned, and many died bankrupt. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution.
The first celebrations occurred shortly after the declaration in various locales along the Eastern Seaboard. Much of the tradition inherent in the way we celebrate today was evident almost from the beginning. Sound, spectacle, and sentiment played an important role in that tradition. One of the most elaborate celebrations in 1777 and the first organized celebration of its kind occurred in Philadelphia. This event had all of the elements of typical future celebrations — the discharge of cannon, firing one round for each state in the union; the ringing of bells; the use of music; the drinking of toasts (it would subsequently be traditional to have one toast for each state in the union); "loud huzzas;" a parade; fireworks; and the use of the nation's colors.
Whatever you do to celebrate, have fun, but please keep the fireworks away from the kids. And give pause to say a prayer for our troops still at war so far away from home. God bless America!
July 3, 2010
Guitarist Paul Barrere of Little Feat is 62.
On this day in 1965, The Yardbirds' song "For Your Love" peaked at #6 on the charts. Eric Clapton left the band once they started recording the song, and can be heard only on the second bridge. Jeff Beck played the rest of the guitar on the final recording.
On this day in 1969, Rolling Stones founding member Brian Jones died in his swimming pool at the age of 27. High levels of alcohol and barbiturates were found in his blood, and, despite rumors of suicide and murder, authorities declared his death an accident.
On this day in 1971, vocalist Jim Morrison of The Doors died in his bathtub in Paris at the age of 27. No autopsy was ever done, but most figured that, like Brian Jones two years earlier, Jim had just reached the end.
On this day in 1971, unaware that their lead singer had died in Paris, The Doors released the "Riders On The Storm" single.
On this day in 1973, David Bowie announced at a London concert that he was retiring from public performance. He was back on stage in 11 months, a turnaround record later challenged by Elton John and KISS.
July 4, 2010
Guitarist Jeremy Spencer (of the 2nd Fleetwood Mac line-up) is 62.
Singer John Waite of The Babys is 58.
Kirk Pengilly of INXS is 52.
On this day in 1969, Grand Funk Railroad played the Atlanta Pop Festival, impressing Capitol Records so much that they signed the band within days.
On this day in 1976, Paul McCartney & Wings released the song "Let 'Em In."
On this day in 1981, "Urgent" by Foreigner entered the charts.
On this day in 1982, in a year that saw him bite the head off a bat and watch his guitarist Randy Rhoads die in a plane crash, Ozzy Osbourne married his manager, Sharon Arden.
July 5, 2010
Guitarist/singer Robbie Robertson of The Band is 67.
R&R poster boy Huey Lewis is 60.
On this day in 1954, Elvis Presley, guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black started messing around on a song called "That's All Right" at Memphis' Sun Studios. Scotty Moore remembered saying, "Good God! They'll run us out of town when they hear this." But studio owner Sam Phillips said, "I knew we had a hit."
On this day in 1964, the young Irish band Them, featuring singer Van Morrison, recorded "Gloria." Henceforth, raw lust as a component of lyrical content was considered fair game.
On this day in 1966, former Animals bassist Chas Chandler happened to see Jimi Hendrix play at Cafe Wha? in New York's Greenwich Village. Blown away, he immediately convinced Hendrix to move to London in order to launch his career.
On this day in 1968, promoter Bill Graham opened the premier West Coast concert hall of the late Sixties/early Seventies: The Fillmore West in San Francisco.
On this day in 1968, The Doors played the Hollywood Bowl, backed by Steppenwolf and the Chambers Brothers. The concert was later released as "The Doors At The Hollywood Bowl."
On this day in 1969, The Rolling Stones gave a free concert for 250,000 fans in London's Hyde Park to introduce their new guitarist Mick Taylor. But since their original guitarist Brian Jones had just died, the concert became a strained tribute instead.
On this day in 1975, Steve Miller showed off his new band (featuring C.C.R.'s Doug "Cosmo" Clifford on drums) and a brand new song ("Rock 'N Me") as he opened for Pink Floyd at England's Knebworth Festival. No slackers themselves, the Floyd premiered their "Wish You Were Here" album with a performance that included fireworks, real Spitfire fighter planes flying overhead, and a very large model plane crashing into the stage. EEEE-yowee!!
July 6, 2010
Rock pioneer Bill Haley would have been 85.
On this day in 1957, 15-year-old Paul McCartney first saw The Quarrymen perform at a church social in Liverpool. He immediately struck up a friendship with 16-year-old John Lennon and was soon in the band.
On this day in 1964, The Beatles' first film, "A Hard Days Night," premiered in London. The Fab Four didn't actually see the flick until four days later. In Britain alone, the film's soundtrack had already sold a million and a half copies in only nine days.
On this day in 1965, Marty Balin and Paul Kantner formed the group that a month later they would decide to call Jefferson Airplane.
On this day in 1968, The Rolling Stones hit #3 in the U.S. with "Jumping Jack Flash."
On this day in 1973, Queen released their debut single in the U.K., "Keep Yourself Alive."
On this day in 1991, Van Halen's "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" album debuted at #1.
On this day in 1993, U2 released their "Zooropa" album.
July 7, 2010
The one and only Ringo Starr is 70.
Bassist Jim Rodford of Argent and The Kinks is 65.
On this day in 1968, The Yardbirds finally called it quits, leaving guitarist Jimmy Page to form the New Yardbirds in order to fulfill some tour commitments. The group, featuring singer Robert Plant, drummer John Bonham, and bassist John Paul Jones, was soon renamed Led Zeppelin.
On this day in 1977 (7/7/77), Styx released their seventh album, "The Grand Illusion." It proved to be their big breakthrough, selling four million copies.
On this day in 1980, 12 years after they first formed as the New Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin played their final concert together in West Berlin. Drummer John Bonham would die in late September.
Speedway Bikes!!
Tonight! Tonight! Tonight! 6p - 9p: J.B. and the KLOS Cool Patrol will personally welcome you to the City of Industry Speedway as the Speedway Bikes race around without brakes! Easy to find between the 60 and 10 freeways on Temple at Azusa — see you there!
More Trick Pepper
Cheap Trick's incredible performances of The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" in its entirety have been going over so well in Las Vegas that the Paris hotel has booked them for more dates from August 3rd through the 18th and September 9th through the 18th. In their 37 year career, this is the longest run the band has ever played (or even stayed) in one place!
New Doobies
The Doobie Brothers will launch the promotional tour for their new "World Gone Crazy" album overseas. The boys will play three big gigs in the U.K. starting with a gig at London's Hammersmith Apollo on October 29th. The long in works "World Gone Crazy" is set for a September 28th release Stateside. Meanwhile, an advance single from the project called "Nobody" is currently streaming free at www.doobiebros.com.
No Jail For Too Much Bruce
An Italian concert promoter has avoided jail time for a Bruce Springsteen show that went too long. It seems that The Boss' show in front of 65,000 fans at Milan's soccer stadium went past the venue's curfew by 22 minutes. That in turn put promoter Claudio Trotta in danger of a one-month prison sentence after allegations came up that Springsteen had been paid on a per-minute basis to play an encore (as if Springsteen has ever played a short show!). Trotta was found not guilty of the charge, allowing him to avoid jail and book Bruce again for his next tour.
Slowhand's Fast Ferrari
Remember when you anguished over paying for leather seats instead of cloth in your brand new car? Guitar god Eric Clapton's new "custom" Ferrari 458 Italia (base price $250,000) will be powered by the 620 horsepower V-12 engine out of a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (base price $350,000) instead of the puny stock 562-hp V-8 that normally propels the super car from zero to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. Safe guess that he won't be using valet parking anytime soon!
It was Coach John Wooden who said: "Favor firm suggestions over strict rules."
It was Albert Einstein who said: "The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
It was Adlai Stevenson who said: "My definition of a free society is a society where it is safe to be unpopular."
July 8, 2010
Drummer Jai Johanson of The Allman Brothers Band is 66.
On this day in 1977, Steely Dan released their classic "Aja" album.
On this day in 1978, Gerry Rafferty's album "City To City" (containing his trademark song "Baker Street") hit #1 on the charts.
This weekend, over 90 stations will air OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson featuring the music of Boston as well as more of Joe's conversation with Tom Scholz and Brad Delp. Stream on!
No New V.H. (Yet)
Consider this an official denial. Eddie Van Halen's wife/spokesperson Janie says that Van Halen is not making a new album. Edward has been out of commission for nearly a year following some pretty serious hand surgery, but he recently said, "I've got tons of music written, such a variety of stuff... The essence of me is obviously there, and those drums, they're always recognizable. But people expect a certain thing from Van Halen, and this isn't exactly bang-your-head-against-the-wall stuff." Word is that he's also waiting for his son/bassist Wolfgang to graduate from high school before heading into the next round of touring and recording.
More Who For Sure
Weeks after Who guitarist Pete Townshend claimed that his ongoing battle with the hearing condition tinnitus may sideline him forever, frontman Roger Daltrey has denied the boys are calling it quits. The 66-year-old said, "We're looking on probably being out there, hopefully if all goes well, in the Spring of next year... We definitely don't want to stop. We feel it's the role of the artist to go all the way through life 'til you can't do it anymore." One of the concepts they're working on is incorporating their 1973 rock opera "Quadrophenia" into a live show. As for the new musical Townshend's working on, Roger said, "That's not my bag, that's Pete's." Same as it ever was!
New/Old Bowie
The re-release of David Bowie's classic 1976 album "Station To Station" will come out in both 3-CD and 5-CD versions on September 20th. Along with the original album, the new sets will include two discs worth of live material taken from a previously unreleased (but heavily bootlegged) 1976 Nassau Coliseum show. The highly influential "Station To Station" — David's 10th studio album — reached #3 on the U.S. charts and included the songs "Golden Years" and "TVC 15."
It was Satchel Paige who said: "Don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines."
It was Harold Wilson who said: "The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery."
It was Woody Allen who said: "My one regret in life is that I am not someone else."
July 9, 2010
Jimi Hendrix's drummer, Mitch Mitchell, would have been 64.
John Tesh is 59.
Bon Scott, AC/DC's first lead singer, would have been 54.
Tom Hanks — whose film "That Thing You Do" was real Rock & Roll — is 54.
Singer Jim Kerr of the Simple Minds is 51.
Heart throb Courtney Love is 46.
On this day in 1956, Dick Clark appeared on TV for the first time as the host of American Bandstand. Except for the bank account, he still hasn't changed.
On this day in 1966, The Rolling Stones song "Mother's Little Helper" entered the charts. The song's title was the common reference to the recently introduced tranquilizer, Valium.
On this day in 1971, Doors singer Jim Morrison was quietly buried in Paris' Pere-Lachaise cemetery.
On this day in 1974 in Seattle, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young began their first reunion tour — the first mega-stadium tour in the history of Rock & Roll. It was during that ground-breaking series of concerts that both Neil Young and David Crosby began to question what the hell they were doing. Afterwards, Neil returned back to his smaller, more manageable solo career while David retreated into drug addiction.
On this day in 1977, Fleetwood Mac released their "Don't Stop" single.
On this day in 1977, Steve Miller's "Jet Airliner" peaked at #8 on the charts.
On this day in 1983, The Police's "Every Breath You Take" hit #1.
On this day in 1995 at Chicago's Soldier Field, The Grateful Dead played their last concert with Jerry Garcia. Jerry died a month later, and Soldier Field was later torn down.
On this day in 1996, Deep Purple played "Smoke on the Water" for the first time in the Swiss city that inspired it. The band wrote and recorded the song in 1971 after surviving a nightclub fire in Montreux.
Steve Miller/Greek
This Sunday! This Sunday! This Sunday! Join J.B. as he hosts the KLOS Summer Concert Series with Steve Miller and Los Lobos at the Greek Theatre! Here are a few snapshots from their last show.
Macca Makes Ringo's Party
Ringo Starr was celebrating his 70th birthday by performing with his All Starr Band at New York's Radio City Music Hall Wednesday evening when Sir Paul McCartney strolled on stage. Of course Macca performed "Birthday" off The Beatles' "White Album," and the crowd went nuts! That followed a star-studded ensemble rendition of "With A Little Help From My Friends" that included Joe Walsh, John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono, Steve Van Zandt, Max Weinberg, and Mick Jones of Foreigner. What a way to party!
Rodgers Helps The Kids
Every night on his forthcoming solo and reunion tours with Bad Company, Paul Rodgers will hold raffles for rare stage items, autographed memorabilia and collectibles to raise money to keep music in classrooms. The raffle tickets will cost $5 each — matched personally by Paul — with all the funds donated to the Fender Center's Kids Rock Free national music education initiative. There will also be bonus raffles at PaulRodgers.com, so you can get in right now!
Jerry/Giants Day
Grateful Dead guitarist/singer Jerry Garcia was born in San Francisco on August 1st, 1942, and died on August 9th, 1995. In the years since his passing, his San Francisco fans have referred to the days stretching from the anniversary of his birth date to his death as "The days between." With that in mind, the San Francisco Giants will salute Jerry on August 9th, the 15th anniversary of his death. The event at AT&T Park will feature Garcia's former Dead bandmates, Bob Weir — who will sing the national anthem — and drummer Mickey Hart. Hart will actually attempt to set a Guinness World Record conducting a seventh inning stretch featuring thousands of fans playing "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" on kazoos. In addition, Jerry's daughter Anna Garcia will throw out the first pitch, and custom Giants/Garcia bobble heads will be for sale. Now how about some Cherry Garcia Ice Cream?
It was Dorothy Parker who said: "If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to."
It was Yogi Berra who said: "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."
It was Woody Allen who said: "My one regret in life is that I am not someone else."
July 10, 2010
Singer Ronnie James Dio would have been 68.
Folkie Arlo Guthrie is 63.
On this day in 1965, as "Beatles VI" topped the U.S. album charts, The Rolling Stones scored their first American #1 hit single with "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction."
On this day in 1968, as drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce argued in the background, guitarist Eric Clapton announced the break-up of Cream. One of the real "supergroups," Cream then launched one of the first truly successful Farewell Tours that have plagued the industry ever since.
On this day in 1983, The Police song "Every Breath You Take" hit #1 on the American singles chart for the first of nine weeks.
On this day in 1986, The Grateful Dead's Ventura Fairgrounds performance was canceled when guitarist Jerry Garcia was hospitalized after lapsing into a diabetic coma. His illness prompted more than 10,000 phone calls to the band's fan hotline in less than 48 hours. Garcia regained consciousness five days later, and was released from the hospital in a month.
On this day in 2006, singer/songwriter/guitarist Syd Barrett, the man who founded and named Pink Floyd, then fried his brain on LSD, died at the age of 60 from complications arising from diabetes.