January 1 - 10, 2009
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!
January 1, 2009
Note: J.B. is expected to return from a few days rest next week.
Super producer Tom Dowd, who worked with Eric Clapton, the Allman Brothers, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Lynyrd Skynyrd and a hundred others, would have been 84.
On this date in 1953, Hank Williams Sr. died at the age of 29 — the first tragic Rock & Roll ending.
On this day in 1972, the song "Bang A Gong (Get It On)" by T. Rex entered the charts.
This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD 2008 with Joe Benson will feature the music of The Allman Brothers Band as well as more of Joe's conversation with Gregg Allman, drummer Butch Trucks and guitarist Warren Haynes.
REALLY Selling Product
While most artists (especially Guns 'N Roses) have experienced trouble selling their newest releases in significant numbers this year, AC/DC's "Black Ice" album has now passed the two million mark in U.S. sales — that's double platinum! The Aussies' "Black Ice" world tour currently has dates scheduled through to the middle of 2009 with more expected through the end of '09. Rock & Roll!
Doobies Do A Bowl
The Doobie Brothers will headline the Seminole Hard Rock Orange Bowl Halftime Show during Thursday's 75th FedEx Orange Bowl game. The Orange Bowl Committee CEO noted that "the group has been a part of people's lives for decades, and we will be celebrating that tradition together in style on New Year's night." The 75th FedEx Orange Bowl, featuring Virginia Tech taking on Cincinnati, will take place at Dolphin Stadium in Miami. The game, along with the Doobies' performance, will air on Fox.
Styx Relaunching
Styx used last night's headlining gig at the Fiesta Bowl Block Party in Tempe, Arizona to kick off their '09 tour. They've already booked 22 dates throughout the first four months of the year, including February 13th at the House Of Blues in Anaheim and February 14th at the House Of Blues in San Diego. But it's possible that guitarist James "JY" Young may be missing a few of those gigs. His wife Susie suffered an aneurysm last Summer, and Young temporarily left the tour — the first time he's missed dates since he joined the band almost 40 years ago.
Gene Gets Animated
An animated likeness of KISS bassist/singer Gene Simmons will appear in "Glenn Martin DDS," a stop-motion comedy series debuting next Summer on Nickelodeon's Nick at Nite. Simmons is voicing his character for the show, which follows a dentist and his family as they travel around the country in a motor home. No word if his character will also be surrounded by hot chicks, but knowing Gene...
It was Benjamin Franklin who said: "Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man."
It was Karen Lamb who said: "A year from now you may wish you had started today."
New Year's Factoids
Who Started This?
The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. That was one fun loving group!
Resolutions
Making a New Year's resolution is a tradition that dates back to the early Babylonians. While modern resolutions might include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking, the early Babylonian's most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment. Maybe they weren't such a fun loving group.
New Year Baby
The tradition of using a baby to signify the New Year began in Greece around 600 BC. It seems that the Grecians celebrated their god of wine, Dionysus, by parading a baby in a basket, representing the annual rebirth of that god as the spirit of fertility. Early Egyptians also used a baby as a symbol of rebirth, but the Greeks had better publicists.
The Song
The song "Auld Lang Syne" is sung at the stroke of midnight to bring in the New Year in almost every English-speaking country in the world. Based on an old Scottish tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days." The version we know was at least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700's, and was first published in 1796 after Burns' death.
January 2, 2009
On this date in 1969, filming began for The Beatles documentary "Let It Be" as the band rehearsed songs at London's Twickenham Studios.
On this date in 1969, Led Zeppelin began a four-day residency at the Whisky-A-Go-Go supporting Alice Cooper.
On this date in 1971, George Harrison became the first former Beatle to hit #1 on the U.S. album charts with his 3-disc collection "All Things Must Pass."
January 3, 2009
Note: J.B. is expected to return from a few days rest next week.
Beatles' producer George Martin is 83.
The extraordinary Stephen Stills is 64.
Led Zeppelin bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones is 63.
On this day in 1970, The Beatles recorded their last song together, George Harrison's "I Me Mine." The sad tune was inspired by a particularly nasty business meeting endured by the formerly Fab Four in late 1968. Harrison, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney were joined in that last session by keyboardist Billy Preston. John Lennon — who had more or less quit the band in September 1969 — was in Denmark with Yoko Ono at the time.
On this day in 1976, Queen's classic "Bohemian Rhapsody" entered the charts. Scaramoosh!
January 4, 2009
R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe is 49.
On this day in 1970, George Harrison recorded the second guitar solo for "Let It Be." It was the last Beatles recording session to feature Harrison, Paul McCartney and producer George Martin, as well as the last recording session of The Beatles as a band.
On this day in 1971, Pink Floyd began sessions for their "Meddle" album. Then, when director Stanley Kubrick inquired if he could use the band's previous album, "Atom Heart Mother," for the soundtrack to "A Clockwork Orange," the boys said no. Sharp business men, those Floydians.
On this day in 1973, the Allman Brothers Band announced that Lamar Williams had been hired as the replacement for Berry Oakley, who died in a motorcycle crash the previous October.
On this day in 1986, Thin Lizzy's bassist/singer Phil Lynott died in the intensive care unit of Salisbury Infirmary in England. His kidneys, liver and heart failed due to blood poisoning and multiple internal abscesses caused by drug abuse. At the age of 35, he certainly wasn't a hero.
January 5, 2009
Chris Stein, Blondie guitarist/songwriter and one-time Debbie Harry squeeze, is 60.
On this day in 1973, Aerosmith's self-titled debut album and Bruce Springsteen's debut album, "Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ." were both released to lackluster sales.
On this day in 1998, Sonny Bono died after he skied into a tree in South Lake Tahoe.
The Queen Digs The Plant
Occasional Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant has been named a Commander Of The Order Of The British Empire as part of Queen Elizabeth II's annual New Year Honours List. The rock god is being acknowledged "for services to music" in the United Kingdom. You may recall that, back in 2005, Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page received the Order Of The British Empire for his humanitarian efforts, including the work he's done for street kids in Brazil through his support of the Task Brazil and the ABC Trust charities. As a reference, the CBE (Commander Of The Order Of The British Empire) that Mr. Plant will be honored with, actually ranks right below Knighthood and right above the OBE (Order Of The British Empire) that his friend Mr. Page received. That should make those Zeppelin reunion meetings more interesting!
The Dead Reborn
Is there anyone who didn't see this coming? Inspired by two successful reunions at benefits for President-elect Barack Obama, the surviving members of the Grateful Dead will do their first tour in five years this Spring. Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann will be joined by Gov't Mule/Allman Brothers Band ace guitarist Warren Haynes and Rat Dog keyboardist Jeff Chimenti. The 19-date tour will begin in Greensboro, North Carolina on April 12th and hit The Forum in Inglewood on May 9th. Guaranteed there will be some great jamming going on!
It was Oscar Wilde who said: "Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account."
It was Steve Kaye who said: "Long pointless meetings are useful in that they keep incompetent people from interfering with those who are working."
Four Fresh Factoids For The New Year
#1. You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television.
#2. Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.
#3. Walt Disney was afraid of mice.
#4. 35% of the people who use personal ads for dating are already married.
January 6, 2009
Original Pink Floyd singer/guitarist Syd Barrett would have been an insane 63.
Guitarist Malcolm Young of AC/DC is 55.
On this day in 1968, The Beatles "Magical Mystery Tour" album hit #1.
On this day in 1976, Peter Frampton released "Frampton Comes Alive," which rewrote the record books and spurred the release of many, many horribly inferior live albums for years to come.
On this day in 1993, bassist Bill Wyman officially left The Rolling Stones saying, "I really don't want to do it anymore." Keith Richards, who had been trying to convince Wyman to stay, could only say, "I did everything but hold him at gunpoint." Since then, Bill has only taken three airplane flights.
On this day in 2001, Fleetwood Mac performed at the White House at a goodbye party for President Bill Clinton. For whatever reason, Christine McVie skipped the reunion.
Free Bruce (Sort Of)
In the run up to the January 27th release of his next album, "Working On A Dream," Bruce Springsteen is offering the third single from that project, "Life Itself," as a free download on Amazon.com. After that, "My Lucky Day" and "Born To Run" will be free downloads on Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii versions of "Guitar Hero: World Tour," for a week beginning on the new album's release date. Springsteen and The E Street Band will headline the Super Bowl XLIII halftime show in Tampa on February 1st. The group has yet to confirm tour plans in support of "Working on a Dream," but headlining appearances at the Bonnaroo festival in mid-June and the U.K.'s Glastonbury festival later that month are strongly rumored. Stay tuned!
Eddie's Selling Those Chevys
Guitar god Eddie Van Halen will be selling a pair of classic Chevrolets from his personal collection in next week's 38th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. The two cars — a highly customized 1956 Chevy 210 and a fully restored 1956 Chevy Nomad (from the famed "The Harrah Collection") — will each be auctioned with matching, one-of-a-kind EVH Brand "Wolfgang" guitars and a pair of red, white and black EVH striped sneakers. The question is, will he spend more buying other collectable cars at the auction than he brings in from this pair?
Beck & Clapton Together
Did you realize that guitar gods Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck have never performed together? Beck replaced Clapton in The Yardbirds, so they never played together in that legendary Sixties band. Sure Jeff has taken part in Eric's Crossroads Guitar Festival fundraisers, and they both performed in the famed Ronnie Lane A.R.M.S. Concert benefits, but not as headliners. Now, the duo will play their first major arena shows together at the Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on February 21st and 22nd. Wonder if a Stateside promoter could come up with enough cash to get those boys to play over here?
Allman's Big Ol' Party
See if this sounds familiar: the Allman Brothers Band has 10 shows scheduled — from March 9th until March 21st — for their 2009 residency at New York's famed Beacon Theater. Yes, the legendary jam band's Beacon concert series is an annual event (they've played the Beacon 175 times since 1989), but they were forced to pull out of last year's 15-show residency because lead vocalist/keyboardist Gregg Allman was undergoing treatment for hepatitis C. This year, the event will double as the launch party for the group's 40th-anniversary festivities. Rock & Roll!
Sued From The Grave
Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia's estate is being sued by the estate of a frequent Garcia collaborator, keyboardist Merl Saunders, over an archival live CD that was released back in 2004. Representatives for Saunders' family say they didn't know about the disc until after it hit the market, and they're now claiming equal rights to the music. The lawsuit, filed last week, is seeking damages in excess of $100,000.
It was Steven Wright who asked: "Do you think that when they asked George Washington for ID that he just whipped out a quarter?"
It was Abraham Lincoln who said: ""The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time."
January 7, 2009
Singer/songwriter Kenny Loggins is 61.
On this day in 1978, Jackson Browne's "Running On Empty" album entered the charts.
On this day in 1978, "Lay Down Sally" by Eric Clapton entered the singles charts.
On this day in 1984, "Wrapped Around Your Finger" by The Police entered the singles charts.
This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD 2008 with Joe Benson will feature the music of the Eagles with more of Joe's conversations with Timothy B. Schmit and Don Felder.
John's MBE Resurfaces
The Queen of England honored The Beatles by naming them Members of the British Empire back in 1965. However, in 1969 John Lennon returned his MBE to protest wars and other inequities. Low and behold after all these years, John's medal has been discovered in a cabinet at the Chancery Department of the Royal Household. Untouched for years, it is still in its original presentation case and includes the protest letter Lennon wrote to The Queen when he returned the medal. Doubtful that eBay is an option, but how long do you think it will be before the medal hits the open market?
Aerosmith Back To Work (Sort Of)
Although they've toured like maniacs, the Aerosmith boys haven’t released a new album since "Just Push Play" in 2001. You may recall that guitarist Brad Whitford told me at the Hendrix Tribute concert last month that he expected things to start rolling after the first of the year. Now drummer Joey Kramer says that he and bassist Tom Hamilton just rehearsed and it “feels so good... we can’t wait to get back into the studio and get back out on the road to do what we do best.” The band put the recording project on hold last year while various members recovered from a variety of medical issues. As Brad said, "Like a lot of other things in life, you don't get to call the shots on these things, do you? We're just ... getting older." There's no date for the new album's release, but it is expected to be out sometime this year. If you want to see the band on stage, Aerosmith has one concert on tap: February 1st in Caracas, Venezuela.
Heart's Booked Two
Heads up Heart fans! The band has been booked into Morongo Casino Resort on February 8th and the Riverside Casino & Golf Resort on June 26th. No word on how their new album is coming along, but odds are you'll hear some new music at each of those gigs!
GRAMMY Comp Coming
It's no accident that the "2009 GRAMMY Nominees" compilation will arrive in stores on January 27th and the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards air on February 8th on CBS TV. The 20-track CD will showcase some of the songs vying for awards at this year's ceremony including one from occasional Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant and the Eagles. Plant is up for five GRAMMYs, including Album Of The Year and Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album for "Raising Sand," his collaborative project with Alison Krauss. Their version of "Please Read The Letter," a contender for Record Of The Year, will be on the GRAMMY CD as will the Eagles' "Waiting In The Weeds," nominated for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals.
Tiny New Yes Baby
Yes bassist Chris Squire and his wife, Scotty, welcomed a new baby girl into the world on December 19th. According to the couple, Xilan Squire was "a very early arrival," weighing only 1 pound, 13 ounces at birth. Chris reports that the little girl is "doing as well as can be at this time... and is being a very brave little starship trooper/pooper."
It was Coach John Wooden who said: "The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team."
It was Johann Wolfgang Von Goeth who said: "To think is easy. To act is difficult. To act as one thinks is the most difficult."
Where's The Remote
Police in Munich, Germany are searching for an armless man who allegedly stole a 24-inch TV. Ananova.com is reporting that the armless robber was assisted by two accomplices who clamped the TV to his body before helping him out of the store. The store's staff didn't realize what had happened until they noticed a TV missing from the stands and looked back at the CCTV recording. A police spokesman observed, "It's hard to believe that the sight of an armless man walking along with a giant TV clamped to his body did not get anyone's attention."
January 8, 2009
Bill Graham, the first Rock & Roll Super-Promoter, would have been 78.
Elvis "The King" Presley would have been 74.
Doors guitarist Robby Krieger is 63.
The one & only David Bowie is 62.
On this day in 1977, Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way" entered the singles charts.
On this day in 1991, Def Leppard guitarist Steve Clark overdosed on drugs and alcohol. A founding member of the young band, he was all of 30 when he died. What a waste.
A Special Bruce Gig
I'm hearing that Bruce Springsteen will perform on the National Mall in Washington D.C. on January 18th as part of Barack Obama's inauguration festivities. Word is that the concert will take place on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and will be free to the public. But don't worry about The E Street Band being left out of the party — they've got that Super Bowl XLIII halftime show with Bruce on February 1st.
Buy Your Own (Slightly Used) Theme Park
Sad news from Myrtle Beach where the Hard Rock Park, the "world's first rock n' roll theme park," has closed after only nine months of operation. Even worse, since the park couldn't find new owners, a bankruptcy judge has allowed Hard Rock International to begin liquidating their assets (do you need a roller coaster?). Creating the park took six years of development and it's considered the biggest tourism investment in South Carolina history. Do you think that was part of the problem?
U2/Zep/White Stripes
Here's a reference you never thought you'd hear: U2's The Edge says that part of his sound on the band's new album was inspired by Led Zeppelin and the White Stripes. The guitarist, who appears in the documentary "It Might Get Loud" alongside Zep's Jimmy Page and White Stripes' Jack White, says "I was just fascinated with seeing how Jimmy played those riffs so simply, and with Jack as well." U2's new album, "No Line on the Horizon," is due out on March 3rd — about the time that the documentary "It Might Get Loud" will be in general release.
Bucks Up For Tix
"Entertainment Weekly" has released its "Top 10 Priciest Concerts" list for 2008 and there's good old Elton John smack dab in second place with an average ticket price of $306 for his shows. The forever-on-a-farewell-tour Eagles ranked third for charging $279 per ticket. AC/DC, who returned to the road after a seven-year absence, is in fourth place with fans paying an average of $263 to see them rock. Bruce Springsteen's average $235 per ticket also placed him in the Top 10. But of course it's Madonna who leads the list: a ticket to her "Sticky & Sweet" tour set fans back $378.
Doobies Almost Ready
After quietly hitting record studios for the past few months, Doobie Brothers singer/guitarist Patrick Simmons says that the band has almost completed its upcoming as-yet-untitled studio album. And when Patrick says, "We are feeling really good about the direction and performance of the songs," you know it's going to be good!
It was Coach Vince Lombardi who said: "There's no such thing as perfection. But, in striving for perfection, we can achieve excellence."
It was Eddie Rickenbacher who said: "Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared."
January 9, 2009
Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin guitar god and the oldest of the Yardbirds "Holy Trinity" of guitarists, is 65.
Scat singing/swell playing Dave Matthews is 42.
On this day in 1967, The Beatles recorded the flutes, trumpets, piccolos and fluegelhorn for "Penny Lane."
On this day in 1971, Santana's "Black Magic Woman" peaked at #4 on the charts.
On this day in 1971, the U.S. Jaycees presented Elvis Presley with an award honoring him as one of the "ten outstanding young men of America." Kind of doubtful he was the only one who was stoned at the ceremony.
On this day in 1982, the song "Under Pressure" by Queen & David Bowie peaked at #29 on the charts.
This Sunday night at 9 on 95.5 KLOS, OFF THE RECORD 2008 with Joe Benson will feature the music of the Eagles with more of Joe's conversations with Timothy B. Schmit and Don Felder.
Happy B-day Jimmy/No Zep
Sure, today marks Led Zeppelin guitarist/mastermind Jimmy Page’s 65th birthday and we wish him all the best. But what's the story on his manager, Peter Mensch? On Monday Peter told the BBC that Page would tour along with his Led Zeppelin bandmates without singer Robert Plant. Then yesterday, Mensch was telling the press “Led Zeppelin are over! If you didn’t see them in 2007 [at their reunion show], you missed them. It’s done. I can’t be any clearer than that... They tried out a few singers, but no one worked out. That was it. The whole thing is completely over now. There are absolutely no plans for them to continue. Zero. Frankly, I wish everybody would stop talking about it.” Wonder if that's how Pagey feels about Menschy?
Styx Do A Playoff
On Sunday, before the Pittsburgh Steelers play the San Diego Chargers in an AFC Divisional Playoff game, Styx perform “The Star Spangled Banner” as well as a special, a cappella rendition of their hit song “Renegade.” That song has become a battle cry for Steelers fans cheering for their team’s defense. The Styx boys will also be joined on the field by 20 Pennsylvania soldiers departing for deployment next week.
Bruce Beats Peter (Sort Of)
Bruce Springsteen took home the Critics Choice Award for Best Song Thursday night with his title tune for the movie "The Wrestler." With the win Springsteen got the nod over Peter Gabriel's "Down to Earth," from the animated feature "Wall-E," as well as Miley Cyrus and John Travolta's song from "Bolt," Jack White and Alicia Keys' track from the James Bond film "Quantum Of Solace," and Sukhwinder Singh's song from "Slumdog Millionaire." The 14th Annual Critics' Choice Awards were presented in Santa Monica Thursday night, and aired on VH1. The Boss could earn another award this weekend when his song again faces Gabriel's and the Cyrus-Travolta duet at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on Sunday.
Thought For The Weekend
Being "over the hill" is much better than being under it.
New Year/New Warnings
Now they're telling us that due to increasing product liability litigation, American liquor manufacturers have accepted the FDA's suggestion that the following 10 warning labels be placed on all containers:
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may make you think you are whispering when you are not.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to think you can sing.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may lead you to believe that ex-lovers are really dying for you to telephone them at four in the morning.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may make you think you have mystical Kung Fu powers, resulting in you getting your ass kicked.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to roll over in the morning and see something really scary.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol is the leading cause of inexplicable rug burns on the forehead, knees and lower back.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may lead you to think people are laughing WITH you.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause a disturbance in the time-space continuum, whereby gaps of time may seem to literally disappear.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause pregnancy.
January 10, 2009
Rod Stewart is 64 and still fertile.
Drummer Aynsley Dunbar (who's worked with Zappa, Bowie, Journey, and the Jefferson Starship) is 63.
Donald Fagan, one-half of Steely Dan, is 61.
Songstress Pat Benatar is 56.
On this day in 1956, Elvis Presley began his first RCA recording session. By the end of the day, the finished songs included "I've Got A Woman" and "Heartbreak Hotel."
On this day in 1973, Aerosmith's "Dream On" reentered the singles charts for the second time in 18 months.
On this day in 1976, legendary bluesman Howlin' Wolf died of cancer at the age of 65.