September 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!
September 1, 2009
On this day in 1976, "More Than A Feeling" by Boston entered the charts.
On this day in 1979, U2 released their first record, the "U2-3" EP.
On this day in 1979, INXS made their live debut at the Oceanview Hotel in Sydney, Australia. Before they scored their first American Top 40 hit four years later, they averaged over 250 gigs a year in Australia's many pubs and clubs.
Bucks Up Bar Band
Bet you already knew that The Rolling Stones command the top dollar to play private events. The British TV show "Four Weddings" found that Mick Jagger and the boys get $8 to 9 million for such performances. And it seems that Elton John, second on the list with a $3.5 million price tag, and Sir Paul McCartney (#7 at $1.8 million) appear to do those types of shows only for charities — or at least that's what their publicists want you to believe.
All Hail Peter
Peter Gabriel has been recognized as "an innovative and forward-thinking artist" with the 2009 Swedish Polar Music Prize. They say Peter "has not only had a significant influence on the development of popular music — he has redefined the very concept... Gabriel's artistry presents us with world music in its most meaningful sense." Previous Polar Music Prize winners include Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Led Zeppelin, Elton John and last year's recipients, Pink Floyd.
How Did Bri Die
Brian Jones, the troubled founding member of The Rolling Stones, died on July 3rd, 1969 in the swimming pool at his U.K. home. The coroner's report called the incident "death by misadventure," attributed to drowning due to swimming while intoxicated. But post mortem tests showed he had consumed no illegal drugs and only the alcohol equivalent of three and a half pints of beer. One of the more credible theories was that Jones was murdered by his builder, Frank Thorogood — something Thorogood allegedly confessed to before his death in 1993. Now Sussex police are reviewing new evidence that includes testimony from nurse Janet Lawson, who discovered Jones' body. Before her death last year, Lawson said she saw Thorogood "do something to Brian" in the pool, and she thought he killed Jones. Why the police will reexamine the case now following Lawson's statements as opposed to Thorogood's statements from his death bed remain unclear.
New/Old Hendrix (Again)
More of those legendary unreleased Jimi Hendrix studio recordings and concerts may finally be released now that the guitarist's Experience Hendrix estate and Sony's Legacy Recordings have reached an agreement. That would also mean another round of deluxe editions of all Hendrix's releases are also on the way.
Aero Gambling
It's a merchandising gamble. The Rhode Island state lottery has begun selling Aerosmith-branded scratch tickets. Those who play the "Dream On" tickets could win $35,000. Scratch on!
Quotes Of The Day
It was the famed Sam Rayburn who said: "No one has a finer command of language than a person who keeps his mouth shut."
It was the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus who said: "We should look for someone to eat and drink with before we look for something to eat and drink."
September 2, 2009
Keyboardist Steve Porcaro of Toto is 52.
On this day in 1965, The Beatles released Paul McCartney's "Yesterday."
On this day in 1970, Phil Collins answered an ad in Britain's "Melody Maker" magazine and found himself at an audition for the drummer's slot in Genesis. Phil got the job, and 5 years later, when Peter Gabriel left the band, Phil became the group's lead vocalist.
On this day in 1972, The Doobie Brothers released "Listen To The Music" as "Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)" by The Hollies peaked at #2 on the charts.
On this day in 1978, Aerosmith entered the charts with "Come Together" as "Surrender" by Cheap Trick peaked at #62.
On this day in 1978, former-Beatle George Harrison married Olivia Trinidad Arias in Henley-on-Thames, England. She was born in Mexico and raised in America, and they met in 1974 when she worked as a secretary for his Dark Horse Records Company in Los Angeles.
On this day in 1988, the Amnesty International "Human Rights Now!" tour began with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Peter Gabriel and Sting headlining the shows.
On this day in 1989, Aerosmith's "Love In An Elevator" entered the singles chart.
On this day in 1995, Cleveland's Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and Museum opened with a seven-hour concert that included Chuck Berry, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Al Green, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Allman Brothers Band, George Clinton, Melissa Etheridge, John Mellencamp, Little Richard and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. The show was great, but parking was a real bitch.
Evacuated/Prepping
Having moved his family out of harm's way under Station Fire evacuation orders, J.B. is seriously prepping for next week's visit to Abbey Road Studios in London, working with Peter Frampton and Lynyrd Skynyrd at the L.A. County Fair, and a return to the airwaves.
Also, if you haven't seen it yet, check out this "Orange County Register" article on yer Unc.
Biggest Of All Time
The cleverly named U.K. Official Chart Company, which does the weekly British Top 40 songs list, has compiled a Top 10 list of The Beatles' best-selling singles ever. Not content to look it up on-line, they searched all of their records to discover that "She Loves You" is the best-selling Beatles single of all-time! The Fab Four's second #1 hit — after "From Me To You" — was released in 1963.
Vultures Tour
Them Crooked Vultures — Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, Foo Fighter Dave Grohl and singer Josh Homme of Queens Of The Stone Age — will launch their U.S. tour on October 2nd by playing the Austin City Limits festival with Pearl Jam and Dave Matthews Band. Over the following two weeks they'll hit Nashville, Detroit, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. You know the Southland won't be far behind!
Woodie Settles
Rolling Stone guitarist Ronnie Wood has finally settled with his soon-to-be-ex-wife, the long suffering Jo Wood. Word from the U.K. is that the out-of-court divorce has the 53-year-old Jo getting half of Ronnie’s $37 million estate as well as the family’s $19 million mansion and a monthly allowance. Bet he's hoping The Stones will tour REAL soon!
Mega Queen Book
Imagine over 500 photos of Queen shot throughout their history, along with contributions from top rock journalists and musicians, in one mega-book. That would be the new "Queen: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Crown Kings of Rock," due out on November 15th — just in time for Xmas!
New/Old Nirvana
Nirvana's August 30, 1992 headlining set at England's Reading Festival will hit stores on November 3rd as a limited-edition CD+DVD deluxe edition. The DVD includes remastered footage of Nirvana's epic 25-song set featuring most of their "Nevermind" album. Only two of those songs have ever been officially released.
Quotes Of The Day
It was Oscar Wilde who said: "When the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers."
It was Dr. Seuss who said: "Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple."
September 3, 2009
Grand Funk Railroad drummer Don Brewer is 61.
On this day in 1977, Heart's "Barracuda" peaked at #11 on the charts.
On this day in 1982, the first three-day US Festival, financed by Apple Computer's Steve Wozniak, kicked off where the Glen Helen Pavilion is now located. Over 400,000 people showed up to hear Fleetwood Mac, The Police, Jackson Browne, Tom Petty, The Cars, the Grateful Dead, Talking Heads and Pat Benatar, among others. It is said that on most hot September evenings, you can still hear lost souls looking for their cars in the hillsides around Devore.
On over 90 stations across America this weekend, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of, as well as more of Joe's extensive conversation with, the legendary Les Paul. Stream on!
U2 4 SNL
Third time's the charm! U2 will be the musical guest on the season premiere of Saturday Night Live on September 26th. This will be the boys' third SNL performance: they made their debut on the show on the December 9th, 2000 episode hosted by Val Kilmer, then returned for the show Luke Wilson hosted on November 20th, 2004.
Setzer Mania
Brian Setzer is going to rock your Christmas! He'll be re-releasing his "Christmas Rocks! The Best Of Collection" as well as putting out the new "Ultimate Christmas Collection" which also includes a DVD of the Brian Setzer Orchestra’s 2006 holiday concert. It all hits shelves on October 13th.
Neil Gets Busy
Just three months after he put out the massive "Archives Volume One," Neil Young has another archival release coming up. "Dreamin’ Man" features a complete live performance of Neil’s 1992 album "Harvest Moon," culled from various solo acoustic gigs from that year. November 2nd will be the release date.
New/Old Heads
It's been 25 years since the Talking Heads rockumentary Stop Making Sense came out. To mark the occasion, the Jonathan Demme-directed flick is coming out on Blu-Ray on October 13th. The bonus features will include frontman David Byrne interviewing himself — which should be highly entertaining!
Livgren Down
Kerry Livgren, who co-founded Kansas in 1970, has suffered a stroke and is in “serious but stable condition.” The 59-year-old songwriting guitarist/keyboardist is resting in a Topeka hospital. Get well soon!
Quotes Of The Day
It was Albert Einstein who said: "Technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal."
It was Donald H. McGannon who said: "Leadership is action, not position."
September 4, 2009
Pretenders drummer Martin Chambers is 60.
On this day in 1962, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr recorded together for the first time at EMI's St. John Studio. The Beatles made a 6-song demo that included "Love Me Do" and "P.S., I Love You." In the process, producer George Martin made them redo "Love Me Do" 16 times. What was he thinking?
On this day in 1965, The Beatles' "Help!" peaked at #1 on the charts as Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone" peaked at #2.
On this day in 1965, The Who had their equipment van stolen outside the Battersea Dog's Home in England while they were inside purchasing a guard dog.
On this day in 1970, George Harrison released "My Sweet Lord."
On this day in 1971, "Riders On The Storm" by The Doors peaked at #14 on the charts.
On this day in 1976, Fleetwood Mac's self-titled album hit #1 after 54 weeks on the charts.
On this day in 1982, the song "Abracadabra" by the Steve Miller Band peaked at #1 on the charts.
On this day in 1987, Pink Floyd released their "A Momentary Lapse Of Reason" album.
More Never-Before-Seen
Hard to believe there are any never-before-seen images of The Beatles, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and The Kinks, but 150 of those are set for an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London. "The Beatles To Bowie: The '60s Exposed" will run from October 15th through January 15th. No word of a U.S. showing — yet.
Just Add Talent
If the drummer in your life can read, then he or she will want the "Ultimate Drum Play-Along Rush: Authentic Drum." The book — due out on September the 13th — also comes with a CD to guide your favorite percussionist through Rush drummer Neil Peart's well-honed moves. As for your Rush tribute group, the "Ultimate Guitar Play-Along Rush" and "Ultimate Bass Play-Along Rush" are already out!
All Hail Ozzy On The Street
In a rare double billing, Ozzy Osbourne will be both the guest of honor and the featured performer for this year's Sunset Strip Music Festival. The three-day event will begin September 10th with Camp Freddy playing a tribute concert to the Prince of Darkness at the House of Blues on Sunset. Friday the 11th will see a variety of performances at six different clubs. Then Ozzy will be headlining the Street Festival finale on Saturday the 12th. That gig will mark his first performance on the Strip in nearly 40 years, having last played five nights at the Whisky-A-Go-Go in November 1970 during Black Sabbath's first tour. Just don't ask him what he remembers about it!
Time Waits For No One
Mick Jagger didn't say it this way, but it's true: "Time is a great teacher, but it kills all its pupils."
September 4th Historicals
On this day in 1781, Spanish settlers founded Los Angeles. Too bad half of them got stuck in traffic and missed the ceremony.
On this day in 1888, George Eastman patented his new roll-film camera and copyrighted the "Kodak" servicemark. Although it's hard to picture it so many years later, the developers actually lost George's first two rolls of film. (But it would have been worse if they had been the rolls with pictures of his assistant's girlfriend!)
Labor Day
Organized by the Central Labor Union, the first Labor Day holiday was held on Tuesday, September 5th, 1882 in New York City. Two years later, union organizers settled on the first Monday in September to celebrate a "workingmen's holiday," and by 1894, 24 states had adopted the holiday. On June 28, 1894, U.S. Congressmen eager to curry favor among the unions made the day a Federal Holiday. The big back-to-school sales and end-of-year model close-out automobile sales evolved around the holiday weekend many, many years later.
September 5, 2009
Singer Freddie Mercury of Queen would have been 63.
Drummer Buddy Miles (who worked with Hendrix, among many others) would have been 63.
On this day in 1964, Manfred Mann released the #1 charting "Do Wah Diddy" just as The Animals' cover of "House of the Rising Sun" hit #1.
On this day in 1965, The Rolling Stones flew into Los Angeles just to record their #1 single "Get Off Of My Cloud."
On this day in 1970, Joe Cocker's "Mad Dogs & Englishmen" album entered the charts, eventually peaking at #2.
On this day in 1981, "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" by Stevie Nicks with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers peaked at #3, "Urgent" by Foreigner peaked at #4, "Fire And Ice" by Pat Benatar peaked at #17 on the charts.
On this day in 1981, Bruce Springsteen joined The Pretenders onstage at Perkins' Palace in Pasadena to cover the Jackie Wilson classic "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher."
September 6, 2009
Bassist/songwriter/singer Roger Waters of Pink Floyd is 65.
On this day in 1968, Eric Clapton recorded his guitar solo on The Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" as a favor to his friend George Harrison.
On this day in 1976, Fleetwood Mac's "Fleetwood Mac" album topped the U.S. album charts for the first time after being on those charts for 54 weeks.
On this day in 1990, Tom Fogerty, brother of John and a founding member of Creedence Clearwater Revival, died at the age of 48.
On this day in 1994, pianist Nicky Hopkins died at age 50. Following his performance on The Rolling Stones' "Their Satanic Majesties Request," he became an in-demand session player with appearances on albums by The Who, The Kinks, Steve Miller, John Lennon and Rod Stewart, among many others.
September 7, 2009
Rock & Roll icon Buddy Holly would have been 73.
Chrissie Hynde, leader of The Pretenders, is 58.
Keyboardist Benmont Tench of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers is 56.
On this day in 1976, the New York State Supreme Court ruled that George Harrison "subconsciously plagiarized" The Chiffon's 1963 hit "He's So Fine" in his 1970 hit "My Sweet Lord." Harrison had to pay $587,000 to ABKCO Music, a company owned, ironically, by The Beatles' former business manager, Allen Klein.
On this day in 1978, drummer Keith Moon of The Who died at the age of 31. Ironically, he overdosed on a drug prescribed to help keep his alcoholism in control.
On this day in 2003, singer/songwriter/icon Warren Zevon died from lung cancer in Los Angeles at the age of 56.
September 8, 2009
Bassist/vocalist Benjamin Orr of The Cars would have been 62.
On this day in 1962, "Monster Mash" by Bobby Pickett entered the Hot 100 chart at #85.
On this day in 1965, Variety ran an ad that read, "Madness! Parts available for four insane boys age 17 to 21." 437 young men, including Charles Manson and Stephen Stills, applied for the roles, but the parts were taken by Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, Mike Nesmith and Davy Jones. The quartet became The Monkees and their TV series began airing in September 1966. Before the end of that year, the manufactured band had sold over 8 million albums.
On this day in 1973, The Rolling Stones song "Angie" entered the chart, eventually going all the way to #1 and becoming one of their biggest selling singles ever.
On this day in 1976, President Gerald Ford's son, Stephen, invited Peter Frampton, his manager and his girlfriend to the White House. They were given a tour of the Presidential home and spent part of the afternoon in the First Family's living quarters, watching television with the President.
On this day in 1979, "Don't Bring Me Down" by ELO peaked at #4, "Let's Go" by The Cars peaked at #14 while "Goodbye Stranger" by Supertramp topped out at #15 on the charts.
On this day in 1988, Elton John auctioned off his private collection of stage costumes and memorabilia. The assortment netted more than $6 million for charity, including $16,000 brought by one particular pair of glasses.
On this day in 1990, the song "Suicide Blonde" by INXS entered the charts.
September 9, 2009
Otis Redding, one of the greatest soul singers of all time, would have been 69.
Keyboardist Billy Preston, who worked with The Beatles and Eric Clapton, among many others, would have been 64.
Eurythmic Dave Stewart is 57.
On this day in 1956, Elvis Presley made his first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," shown only from the waist up so that his gyrating pelvis wouldn't corrupt the nation's youth.
On this day in 1968, during one of the 17 takes that The Beatles recorded of "Helter Skelter," Paul McCartney played bass while lying on his back.
On this day in 1971, John Lennon released his second solo album, "Imagine."
On this day in 1972, "Witchy Woman" by the Eagles entered the singles chart.
On this day in 1978, The Who released "Who Are You," their last album recorded with Keith Moon, and The Rolling Stones released their "Beast of Burden" single.
On this day in 1978, a very young U2 supported The Stranglers at Dublin's Top Hat Ballroom. The Stranglers took up both dressing rooms, leaving Bono and company to dress behind the speakers. Note: In all the years since, The Stranglers were never invited to open for U2.
On this day in 1981, Journey's "Escape" album hit #1.
On this day in 1981, both Sting and Phil Collins made their first live solo appearances at Amnesty International's fund-raising "Secret Policeman's Other Ball" in London.
On this day in 2007, guitarist/singer Hughie Thomasson, a founding member of the Outlaws and a longtime member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, died of a heart attack at his home in Brooksville, Florida at the age of 55.
Beatles Extended
After the on-line pre-order sold out most of the initial pressing of the limited-edition "The Beatles in Mono" collection, EMI is extending the production run of the $299 remastered 13-CD boxed set beyond the original 10,000 limit. Unlike the stereo versions of the remastered Beatles albums, the mono editions are not being sold individually. Meanwhile, Apple has scheduled a press conference for Wednesday (9-9-09) to unveil new software and upgrades to select iPod models. Seeing as the press conference coincides with the release of The Beatles: Rock Band Video Game and remasters of the group's albums, do you think that The Beatles will finally become available on iTunes?
Live From Abbey Road Studios
This Wednesday (09-09-09) — the day the totally remastered Beatles recordings and The Beatles: Rock Band Video Game will be released — Best Buy presents a series of live Uncle Joe Benson broadcasts throughout the day from The Beatles' main recording studios, Abbey Road in London. Of course he'll also be giving away XBOX 360 Consoles and The Beatles: Rock Band Video Games — just be listening to 95.5 KLOS!
Frampton/Skynyrd/Wild Weekend
Set your schedules! This Friday J.B. will be rolling into a 6pm Uncle Joe Meet & Greet at the KLOS Cool Patrol Booth at the L.A. County Fair before hosting the Peter Frampton/Kansas concert on the main stage. Then Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 11am he'll be rockin' the KLOS airwaves before ripping back to the Fairgrounds in Pomona for another Uncle Joe Meet & Greet at the KLOS Cool Patrol Booth and intro of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Sunday show on the main stage. Hail, hail Rock & Roll!
It was Albert Einstein who said: "Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts."
It was J.W. Eagan who said: "Never judge a book by its movie."
September 10, 2009
Vocalist Danny Hutton of Three Dog Night is 67.
Guitarist Joe Perry of Aerosmith is 59.
On this day in 1964, Rod Stewart made his professional recording debut, covering the old blues track "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl." After finishing his vocal, Rod reportedly ran out of the studio looking for a tall, leggy blonde. The bassist on the session, John Paul Jones, later became a cornerstone of Led Zeppelin, at which point all the tall leggy blondes came looking for him — but that's a different story for a different time.
On this day in 1966, The Beatles' "Revolver" album hit #1 on the American chart, where it stayed for six weeks.
On this day in 1975, Pink Floyd's album "Wish You Were Here" and KISS' album "KISS Alive" were both released.
On this day in 1980, The Rolling Stones' single "She's So Cold" was released.
On this day in 1983, Stevie Nicks released the "If Anyone Falls" single.
On this day in 1988, "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses peaked at #1, "Simply Irresistible" by Robert Palmer peaked at #2 and "When It's Love" by Van Halen peaked at #5 on the charts.
On this day in 1988, Eric Clapton kicked off an American tour with Dire Straits guitarist Mark Knopfler playing in his band.