The Who will perform at halftime of the Super Bowl this season.

The NFL announced during Thursday’s game between the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys that the longtime rock band known for classic hits such as “Pinball Wizard” and “Baba O’Riley” will play Feb. 7 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami.

Driven by singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend, the band’s two remaining original members, The Who gained fame in the mid-1960s and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Recent halftime acts at the Super Bowl have included Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Prince and the Rolling Stones.

The Super Bowl halftime show is sponsored by Bridgestone.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Idag blir Randy Newman 66 år minsann. Grattis påre, din långskånk.

Bernie Marsden var, enligt initierad källa, obetydligt längre när han stod upp jämfört med sittande under konserten på Munken häromdagen. Han var dessutom, skriker rapporter från flera håll, innihelvitte bra. Så honom vill vi trots Randy Newman’s illvilliga påhopp naturligtvis inte bli av med. Det finns även flera short people vi skulle sakna väldigt mycket om de försvann från rockhistorien:

John Mellencamp 170 cm
Lou Reed 166 cm
Bob Dylan 168 cm
Prince 152 cm
Bono 171 cm
Thom Yorke 166 cm
Angus Young 158 cm
Roger Daltrey 170 cm
Ronnie James Dio 162 cm
Iggy Pop 171 cm
Paul Simon 160 cm
Tom Petty 170 cm

Jag tycker nog att vi korta kan få leva också. Så det så.

Torno ad aggiornare il blog dopo troppo tempo di assenza causa duro lavoro. In attesa di cause più serie, mi dedico ad una notizia “leggera” ma che mi riempie il cuore, perché posso parlare di due delle mie grandi passioni: la musica e il football americano…

Tony Romo, qb dei Dallas Cowboys

Il prossimo 7 febbraio, al Dolphin Stadium di Miami, si giocherà il Superbowl, la finalissima, la partita più attesa. Anche da chi non sente questo (magnifico) sport pulsargli nelle vene. E in quest’occasione, per lo show musicale di 15 minuti dell’intervallo, uno dei momenti televisivi più visti in assoluto negli States e non solo, uno degli spazi più ambiti per la pubblicità, sono stati chiamati niente meno che gli Who. Così dopo aver visto negli ultimi anni Bruce Springsteen, Prince e gli Stones, questa volta si potrà ammirare un gruppo british che ha scritto canzoni immortali e pagine eccelse della storia della musica.

L’annuncio è stato dato durante il match del Thanksgiving Day (la serata del tacchino e del football in tv) tra Dallas Cowboys e Oakland Raiders. Ancora non si sa nulla della scaletta del mini-concerto, ma a quanto risulta gli Who, capeggiati dal cantante Roger Daltrey e dal chitarrista Pete Townshend (gli unici superstiti della formazione originale) suoneranno sicuramente due loro cavalli di battaglia come Baba O’Riley e Pinball Wizard.

E noi fan del football e degli Who siamo già in trepidazione!

My review of Roger Daltrey’s show on Friday, November 20th at the Nokia Theatre Times Square in midtown Manhattan is now online. Daltrey, the 65-year-old lead singer with The Who, is currently on a solo tour with the billing Use It Or Lose It. He mixed solo material and covers with reworked versions of classics from The Who’s songbook. It was a terrific show. You can read the review on the main Powerline A.D. site.

Le groupe anglais sera de retour aux Etats-Unis en 2010.

Les experts du rock, The Who, seront sur scène à la mi-temps du Super Bowl XLIV le 7 février 2010. Emmenés par Roger Daltrey et Pete Townshend, Les Who joueront sûrement leurs plus grands classiques ” My Generation, Baba O’Riley,… “.

Chaque année, lors du ” Halftime “, un groupe prestigieux ( U2, Bruce Springsteen, Rolling Stones, Tom Petty,… ) vient enflammé le public ainsi que près de 90 millions de  téléspectateurs rien qu’aux Etats-Unis.

Pourvu que Pete et Roger ne cassent rien…

Source : Billboard

Roger Daltrey, vocalista do The Who, disse em entrevista ao semanário inglês “New Musical Express”, que pretende escrever uma autobiografia.

Daltrey está atualmente na turnê solo “Use it or Lose it” e explicou os seus motivos para escrever o livro. “Estou pensando em uma biografia sim. Acho que está na hora de escrever sobre a história da minha vida e as coisas que fiz, que acho mais interessantes. Nem tudo foi diversão, mas valeu a pena. O único problema é que as pessoas geralmente querem saber o pior sobre a gente, e não sei se estou preparado para isso“

Um dos maiores vocalistas da história, Daltrey tem uma grande história de vida e óbvio que o livro deve falar da complexa relação com o guitarrista do The Who, Peter Townshend.

Enquanto Daltrey está fazendo shows e pensando no livro, Townnshend está escrevendo as letras do novo álbum do The Who, que deve ser lançado em 2010.

1. Billy Field – You weren’t in love with me
2. Camera Obscura – Destitution
3. Department S – Is Vic there?
4. Fantastic Something – The night we flew out of the window
5. Gregory Gray – Books to read twice
6. Herbie Armstrong – Do You
7. Le Change – Back seat of my car
8. Nevada – In the Bleak Midwinter
9. Phillip Goodhand-Tait – Everyday
10. Robert Wyatt – I’m a Believer
11. Rouen – Ordinary Life
12. Rouen – Young for Today
13. Scarlet Party – 101 Dam-Nations
14. Southern Comfort – Return to Frog City
15. Still Life – Away from this Town
16. Stockholm Monsters – National Pastime
17. The Farmers Boys – In the Country
18. The Records – Starry Eyes
19. Tonight – Drummer Man
20. Villa de Ville – Everything Counts

Obscure Seventies songsmith on Elton's label gets welcome revival

 

Phillip Goodhand-Tait

Goodhand-Tait is his real surname, although at school and into the mid 1960s, he was known as Phil Tait. His mother taught piano and his father was an active trades unionist. In 1957 the family moved south to Guildford where Goodhand-Tait attended Pewley school. Before long, he was singing in beat groups several nights every week under names such as Phill Tone and the Vibrants. In 1961, they renamed themselves Phill and the Stormsville Shakers, a group formed with Paul Demers on drums, Ivor Shackleton playing guitar, and Kirk Riddle on bass. “Stormsville” was the title of a 1960 Johnny and the Hurricanes album and ‘Shakers’ was meant to indicate the frantic nature of their performances.

In 1964 the Shakers played the Ricky-Tick club circuit, and backed Memphis Slim. He toured in the early 1960s as Phillip Goodhand-Tait and the Stormsville Shakers (his backing band from Guildford) supporting the likes of Larry Williams.

He wrote songs for Larry Williams; Roger Daltrey (“Oceans Away” – on the album ‘Ride a Rock Horse’ - and “Parade” and “Leon” – both on the ’One of the Boys’ album); Gene Pitney (“You Are” and “Oceans Away”); Zoot Money (“No One But You”) and Love Affair (“Bringing on Back the Good Times”, “A Day Without Love” and “Baby I Know”).

By 1971, he had branched out, and wrote the score for the film, Universal Soldier. In 1976 he played the harmonium on Chris de Burgh’s LP Spanish Train and other stories.

This track is of course a cover of the famous Buddy Holly song slowed down to make an emotive piano-based ballad and featured on the 1971 DJM (Elton John’s label who was a big supporter) album ‘I think I’ll write a song’.

It soundtracked many a teenage romance.

Fantastic Something

Fantastic Something were a UK based duo made up of two Greek born brothers, who had a hit in the early 80s called “If she doesn’t smile”. They disappeared after just two releases. The other one ‘If she doesn’t smile’ I also own – special requests will be treated sympathetically. They were on the great Cherry Red label. A glorious sound.

Camera Obscura

In the early Eighties there were a number of bands like Eyeless in Gaza, White Door  and Thomas Leer around who produced atmospheric synth music. Camera Obscura released this single and then fled – nowadays there is an excellent Glaswegian India band with the same name. The layer of soil thickens above the grave of the original and lamented Camera Obscura.

Department S

The late, great Vaughan Toulouse lent his vocals to this and many other great songs. The three remaining members of the band regrouped a year or so back to record a cover of Alvin Stardust’s ‘My Coo cachoo’

However, this song and their other great song ‘Going Left Right’ will never be bettered.

Rouen 

Rouen hailed from  the town of Bewdley in Worcestshire in the 1980s and signed to Virgin.
They realeased one album and a few singles, getting a listed on Radio 1 for one single – ‘Young for a Day’.

The band comprised of Nick Cox Keyboards with Nick Allsop, J Johnson, Mark Roslanowski and Nick Sellars.

Two tracks are recalled for duty here – ‘Young for a Day was the minor hit – ‘Ordinary Life’ is completely impossible to find anywhere else – so fill your boots.

Scarlet Party

Scarlet Party was formed in Essex in the early 1980s. The founder members were, singer/songwriters Graham Dye and brother Steven Dye, with drummer Sean Heaphy

They began to perform at many top venues, to a well established following, and had already recorded an album of original material, and were signed to a major record company, when joined by fourth member, Mark Gilmour, brother of Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, on lead guitar.

The debut single, ‘101 Dam-Nations’ was released on EMI’s famous Parlaphone label, on 16 October 1982, along-side a special re-release of Love Me Do, celebrating The Beatles’ 20th anniversary at EMI. This helped to get Scarlet Party noticed, and with the voice of Graham Dye, uncannily resembling that of John Lennon, a television, radio, and magazine, publicity campaign, helped to reinforce the connection. The single was enthusiastically received (Kate Bush described it as her favourite), and reached number 44 in theUK Singles Chart. The follow-up single “Eyes of Ice”, was released in February 1983, on ice-clear vinyl, which was a request from the band, and all art-work for the sleeve was created by Graham Dye, using coloured pencils. EMI then decided not to release the completed album, which was to be called ‘Scarlet Skies’.

‘Scarlet Skies’, was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in 1981-82, but has never been officially released. The linked songs explore themes of war, love, and alienation, in styles reminiscent of both the mini pop operas of The Who, and the progressive concept albums of Pink Floyd.

The band recorded more original songs written by the Dye brothers, as a four piece, until the departure of Mark Gilmour at the end of 1983, and then, once again, as a three piece, also working on other projects, including a musical cartoon adventure based on the band, none of which were taken on by EMI.

Scarlet Party continued performing live shows, joined briefly by new member Micky Portman on bass, and recorded several more tracks at Abbey Road Studios. However, the band now feeling disheartened, and disappointed in EMI, decided to call it a day at the end of 1985.

Graham Dye went on to work as lead vocalist, on several albums by The Alan Parsons Project, and more recently, a new version of ‘101 Dam-Nations’ was made, featuring Graham and Steven Dye, together with Phil Collins  playing the drums. The brothers requested the help of Alan Parsons to produce the recording, which is not yet available. A shame.

Gregory Gray

Scottish-born singer/songwriter Gregory Gray released three fine albums of quirky, danceable pop from 1986 to 1995. However, his story goes back further than that and involves both a brief involvement with a second-string group of Northern Irish bubblegum popsters and a name change to disassociate himself from that chapter in his past. Gregory Gray was born Paul Lerwill in the village of Coleraine, Northern Ireland, on May 20, 1959. Lerwill picked up the guitar as a teenager and at the age of 19, he joined Rosetta Stone, a bubblegummy pop group led by Ian Mitchell, formerly of the Bay City Rollers. Known as “Flash” during his stint in Rosetta Stone, Lerwill stayed with the group until 1982, long past their brief notoriety amongst the pre-pubescent crowd. Following that, Lerwill changed his name to Gregory Gray to disassociate himself from his sugary past and formed an obscure group, called Perfect Crime, who were in more of a Waterboys-meets-U2 vein. He was a friend of Bono from the much more popular U2.

Finally signing a solo deal with CBS in 1986, Gray released his first album, Think of Swans, later that year. An artsy, often obscure record that maintains the Waterboys influence from his Perfect Crime days, Think of Swans was a complete commercial stiff and Gray was dropped after its release. After woodshedding for several years, Gray signed with Atco Records and released his much poppier second album, Strong at Broken Places, in 1991. That album was produced by Gray’s friend Davitt Sigerson, who later became the president of EMI Records. Sigerson signed Gray to EMI in 1995 and released the Stephen Hague-produced Euroflake in Silverlake, a Pet Shop Boys-like album of quirky electro-pop. Unfortunately, it followed his previous two albums into commercial oblivion and Gray gave up on his solo career, moving from Northern Ireland to New York in the late ’90s and forming an Underworld-like dance rock group, Mary Cigarettes.

Nevada

Their version of ‘Gustav Holtz/Christina Rosetti’s ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ is possibly my favourite Christmas song of all. 

Nevada was a short-lived group led by Michael Dunford and Annie Haslam from Renaissance. Following their Azure d’Or tour in Israel and the departure of Terence Sullivan and John Tout from the band, Annie Haslam and Mick Dunford formed Nevada as an alternative he believed could grow alongside Renaissance. The group did some demos and had one appearance on a TV show in the UK.

Nevada released just two singles during the period between Renaissance’s Azure d’Or and Camera Camera albums. Peter Gosling, who played with Renaissance for their final two albums performed with Nevada and co-wrote three of the four songs released. The first single, “In The Bleak Midwinter” / “Pictures In The Fire” (Polydor UK POSP 203) was released in 1980 and charted in the UK in early 1983. The second single “You Know I Like It” / “Once In A Lifetime” (Polydor UK POSP 229) was released in 1981 and never hit the charts.

These four songs, quite different from the those of the Renaissance albums released before and after, reflect an exploration of the artists in alternative music ranging from the English ballad “In The Bleak Midwinter” to the popular sound of “Pictures In The Fire” and “You Know I Like It” to the contemporary sound of “Once In A Lifetime” which one can hear seeds of sounds incorporated into Renaissance’s last two albums. Annie Haslam’s stunning wide range vocals are featured in the first three songs and she sings backup in the fourth. Michael Dunford has confirmed that the lead vocal track on the very different “Once In A Lifetime” was performed by Peter Gosling. These rare singles were pressed only in small quantities and should be part of any serious Renaissance fan’s collection. Used copies can occasionally be found.

I remember as a teacher in the Winter of 1981 scouring the second hand record shops of Brighton to acquire all the old favourite Christmas songs to compile into an all time best Christmas album on C90. I then duplicated 100 at the University language centre and proceeded to pay for my indigent Christmas with the proceeds of a hunderd two quids gathered in from the students in my care. This was pre ’That’s what I call Christmas’ days – so this probably represented a bargain.

Southern Comfort

These were the band that made up the others behind Iain Matthews in Matthews Southern Comfort, famous for their version of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Woodstock’ in 1970. After Iain left to go solo the band carried on and had a very minor hit with ‘I sure like your smile’. On the B side of this was this track – ‘Return to Frog City’ from the Harvest album ‘Frog City’ with a great slide guitar erformance from the legendary Gordon Huntley who sadly died in 1985. I played this into the ground in 1971 which may explain its white blitz sound.

The Records

Living as I did in Southend in the Seventies, it was an exciting time to be a music fan. Will Birch was at the centre of the scene as drummer with Eddie and the Hot Rods which he had quit to form The Records with fellow Essex man John Wicks. The Records were far more impressive in potential than fellow bands such as the Kursaal Flyers and even Dr Feelgood – they had pure pop class. By fans of the genre, they are considered one of the most seminal British power pop acts of all time. They are often referred to as The British Big Star. They are best remembered for the hit single and cult favourite included here: ’Starry Eyes’. In the 70s and 80s, the only constant members of The Records were John Wicks, Will Birch and Phil Brown. Today, former members of The Records record and perform as solo artists. Lead singer John Wicks tours in his group John Wicks And The Records, while guitarist Jude Cole continues to record and perform as a solo artist.

Although the original version of UK rock group The Records disbanded in the 1980s, their music continues to be a major attraction in the world of rock and roll. Their hit single ‘Starry Eyes’ is still played on classic rock and college rock radio stations throughout the continents.

John Wicks currently works as a producer/songwriter and has formed a new all-star lineup known as John Wicks And The Records. Wicks performs classic songs from his days with The Records, which he co-founded with drummer/songwriter Will Birch in the 1970s. At a John Wicks And The Records concert, expect to hear classic songs from his years in The Records in addition to all-new material.

John Wicks And The Records continue to play sold out shows around the world, having performed with the likes of Guided By Voices, Dramarama and the Electric Prunes among others. Although they played CBGBs in the past, it seemed only fitting when John Wicks And The Records chose to perform as part of the CBGBs farewell concert series when the legendary rock and punk venue prepared to permanently close it’s doors in 2006.

Guitarist/singer, Jude Cole, was the only American to play in The Records. Today, Jude Cole produces numerous artists and co-owns Ironworks Studios with actor Kiefer Sutherland. Hailing from London, England, The Records performed with such acts as Elvis Costello, The Cars, The Jam with Paul Weller, Robert Palmer and Joe Jackson. The Records formed at the height of rock and roll in the 1970s and recorded three major label albums for Virgin Records. They released several singles including Starry Eyes, Teenarama and Hearts In Her Eyes. Albums included “Shades In Bed,” “Crashes,” “Music On Both Sides,” “Paying For The Summer Of Love” and “A Sunny Afternoon In Waterloo.”

The songs of John Wicks/Will Birch have been covered by artists such as Mary Chapin Carpenter, Michael Monroe from Hanoi Rocks, Blackpool Lights, Too Much Joy, The Methadones and British beat group The Searchers.

The Farmers Boys

The Farmer’s Boys were from Norwich. They formed in the early 1980s and were briefly called “Bang Goes My Stereo” before changing their name to The Farmer’s Boys. The band’s first single, “I Think I Need Help”, was release in April 1982 with a few more releases in the same year. In January 1983 “More than a Dream” was reissued as their first single for EMI. Several more singles including this Shadows cover and two albums were released before the band split in 1985.

Baz and Mark went on to form The Avons in 1985. Mark later joined The Nivens, Stan formed Dr Fondle and Frog joined The Higsons and played keyboards on a Julian Cope tour in the late eighties. Original guitarist Andy left early on to join Serious Drinking. In 2000, Baz, Mark & Stan got back together as The Great Outdoors.

These songs have been rescued from the very depths of Stannard’s Library, converted digitally from their original vinyl state and lovingly brought to your attention. Some of these artists will never record again and have not been washed up on the beach of any long forgotten compilation. I humbly offer them here for your edification and delight. You may never see their like again.

http://rapidshare.com/files/308992682/Roy_s_Library_5.zip

-Super Bowl half-time entertainment-

Mega music gods Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey are scheduled to perform at the Super Bowl XLIV in Miami on Feb. 7 of next year.

Side-note:
My daughter, Shelby, caught the Who’s performance in Chicago several years ago. Lucky pooky.

According to published reports, the Who will perform at Super Bowl XLIV, marking the British band’s first performance in North America since 2008.  According to the Sports Illustrated website, the veteran band will take the stage during halftime of the 2010 National Football League championship game, scheduled for Feb. 7 in Miami.

The NFL has yet to officially confirm the report, saying, “When we have something to announce, we’ll announce it.”

During a recent stop on his “Use It or Lose It” solo tour, frontman Roger Daltrey told Billboard.com that he and bandmate/composer Pete Townshend were working on new material for the Who’s followup to 2006’s Endless Wire.  “Hopefully if this tour has done its job, I’ll be in really good form as a vocalist,” said Daltrey. “And who knows, we might make our best work.”

Townshend has acknowledged working on two projects — a new musical called “Floss” and the Who’s next album, which he has said will include some pieces from the “Floss” project.

The Who se presentará en el intermedio del Supertazón XLIV del fútbol americano, marcando el primer espectáculo de la banda británica en América del Norte desde el 2008.

Según un reporte de SI.com, el sitio web de la revista Sports Illustrated, la veterana banda ocupará el escenario durante el espectáculo que se realiza en el intermedio del partido del campeonato del 2010 de la Liga Nacional de Fútbol Americano (NFL), previsto para el 7 de febrero en Miami.

La NFL aún no ha confirmado oficialmente el reporte, limitándose a señalar que “cuando tengamos algo para anunciar, lo anunciaremos”.

En una reciente parada durante su gira como solista “Use It or Lose It”, el vocalista del grupo Roger Daltrey dijo a Billboard.com que él y su compañero de banda y compositor Pete Townshend, estaban trabajando en el nuevo material que seguirá al último álbum de The Who, “Endless Wire”, del 2006.

“Espero que si esta gira logra su cometido, estaré en muy buena forma como vocalista”, dijo Daltrey. “¿Y quien sabe?, podríamos hacer nuestro mejor trabajo”, agregó.

En tanto, Townshend confirmó su participación en dos proyectos, un nuevo musical llamado “Floss” y el próximo disco de The Who que podría incluir algunas piezas de “Floss”.

Rock God Cred Report:

Click here to check The Who “Getting In Tune”

Buy “Who’s Next”…buy the “Deluxe Edition”…with the extra Lifehouse songs added.  A masterpiece.

SEXY MEN OF ROCK AND ROLL

I’m convinced that if I was born 30 years earlier, I would have been a groupie.  And if I was, these are the men I would have had my eye on, both for their careless good looks and god-like talent.

1. David Gilmour – There are no words. This is my definition of a rock god.

2. Jim Morrison – He may have been a little bit crazy, but I want to hear him recite poetry and run my fingers through that hair.

3. Jimi Hendrix: Aww, look at those dimples! And it doesn’t hurt that he’s pretty much the best guitar player ever.

4. David Bowie – I don’t care that he looks like a woman sometimes. His voice is like velvet and I adore him.

5. Roger Daltrey – There’s no harder, hotter body in rock and roll and he’s got a sweet set of…lungs.

6. Ted Nugent – He’s a redneck, yes and this photo also makes him look like a douche-bag, but the The Nuge can play guitar and he’s hot. 

7. Joe Strummer – His eyes are sad and beautiful and he has one of those  faces that I just want to take in my hands, and stare at.

 8. Marvin Gaye  - He’s not a rock star per say, but look how adorable he is! And I’d probably pass out if I’d ever heard him sing in person.

9. Frank Zappa – Strange choice I know, but Zappa is weirdly interesting and watching him shred shirtless is pretty amazing. 

10. Billy Idol –  Perhaps the most cliche rock star on the list, but you can’t deny his hotness.

Ni måste väl ändå hålla med om att Roger Daltrey sjunger som en Gud 4:10? Skit i att det är Live Aid -85, “We are the world” och uppknäppt brynja, att det inte är rätt- 60-tals-skitigt, att Pete Townshend ser ut som farbrorn som ägnar sig åt trädgårdsarbete och lugna hemmakvällar. Att de är mindre snygga. Skit i det!

Jack Nicholson presenterar ju och det är värt att se klippet bara därför.

Såg Reign on me (Mike Binder, 2007) nyligen där The who- låten figurerar. Adam Sandler spelar en psykiskt labil man som förlorat hela sin familj i 11/9 (utan att den är alltför äckligt patriotisk). Ja, kanske New york-patriotisk. Han gjorde en bra rolltolkning iallafall.

(Jag vet att Jenny älskar Adam Sandler. Shit vad hon har kallat mig för Julia Gulia p. g. a god damn The wedding singer (Frank Coraci, 1998)

Och Don Cheadle är en riktigt bra skådis. Se den.

Jag rekommenderar också Tvivel (John Patrick Shaneley, 2008)Meryl Streeps och Philip Seymor Hoffmans skådespeleri är så hjärtskärande bra så att man dör. Såg den också nyligen. Efter alla andra.

Ett AV världens absolut bästa band:

“Bullshit! You stink like a shrink. You’ve got shrink hands. You ordered your sallad like a shrink!”

“How does a shrink order a sallad?”

/Julia

Siblingshot On The Bleachers Report:

Click here to go to SOTB to check The Who “The Kids Are Alright”, and “Substitute”

It’s part of our human make up to be curious about the grass on the other side of the fence.  Rock stars are no exception.

Guitar gods frequently yearn to be lead singers.  And lead singers often can’t resist the temptation to strap on an axe.  The catch is it seldom works. 

Sure, there are double threats who can sing and play really well, but this post isn’t focused on them. 

Instead, here’s some examples of lead singers who just don’t look right with a guitar.  Not saying they can’t play.  Just saying that they shouldn’t try.  It simply doesn’t work.

Witness Madge looking pained as she struggles to strum.

Love Daltrey, but isn’t being Tommy enough for him?

Anyone believing Mick’s amp is plugged in?  Shhhhhh.  Don’t tell him anything!

I’m on the fence on The King.  It’s clear he actually played a little when he started out in the Sun Records days.  By the Vegas years though, the guitar had transitioned to mainly prop status.  I wouldn’t bet against this one being made out of paper mache.

Happy November!

Viva la Mainstream Report:

Click here to go to VLM to check The Who “Pinball Wizard”

Snuhthing Anything Report:

Click here to go to SA to check the Grateful Dead “Friend of the Devil”…plus The Who “Boris The Spider”, and more.

When I first heard this song, Under A Raging Moon by Roger Daltrey, I was blown away by it.

Although I was aware of The Who, it was this song (I still have the 12-inch single somewhere) that really inspired me to find out more about the band and their music.

The song comes from Daltrey’s 1985 album of the same name, released as a tribute to The Who’s drummer Keith Moon, who had died of a drug overdose seven years earlier.

Big Country’s Mark Brzezicki played the drums on all the songs on the album but on this track he was joined by some of the leading drummers of the day to provide their own tribute to Moon. They were: Martin Chambers (The Pretenders), Roger Taylor (Queen), Cozy Powell (Rainbow/Whitesnake/Black Sabbath), Stewart Copeland (The Police), Zak Starkey (son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, who would later play with The Who and Oasis) and Carl Palmer (ELP/Asia).

Incidentally, the song was co-written, believe it or not, by John Parr, best known for his 1985 hit St. Elmo’s Fire (Man In Motion), the theme song from the Brat Pack movie.

Here is a live performance of the song from some time around 1985 (although the drum parts appear to be on a backing tape):

And here, as a bonus, is the original album version:

Roger Daltrey is currently undertaking a solo tour through North America whilst Pete Townshend completes his latest opus “Floss”.

During my recent music collection re-organisation I re-discovered Daltrey’s debut solo album.

“Daltrey” was first released in 1973. The album took six weeks to record during January and February 1973. Sessions took place at Roger’s Barn Studio, Burwash, East Sussex, where the backing tracks were laid down; vocals, overdubs, and mixing were completed at The Beatles’ Apple Studios at 3 Savile Row (the vocals for “One Man Band (reprise)” were recorded on the Apple rooftop, where The Beatles had performed their famous final concert in January 1969), and at Nova Sound Studios.

With one exception, the songs were all co-written by the previously unknown Leo Sayer, who later became a well-known singer in his own right. The song “One Man Band,” which begins and ends this album, is one of Sayer’s signature tunes.

“One Man Band” – Roger Daltrey

The Musicians  who played on the album included:-

• Dave Courtney – piano
• Russ Ballard – guitar, keyboards
• Bob Henrit – drums
• B.J. Cole – steel guitar
• Dave Arbus – violin
• Dave Wintour – bass guitar
• Del Newman – string arrangements
• Jimmy Page – guitar on “There Is Love”

Here is a performance from The Old Grey Whistle Test of the surprise hit single from the album “Giving It All Away” featuring Russ Ballard on guitar.

To buy the music of Roger Daltrey click HERE

Berkeley Place Report:

Click here to go to BP to check Pearl Jam covering The Who “I Can’t Explain”, “Throw Your Hatred Down (With Neil Young)”, and “Johnny Guitar”

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Pete Townsend, Keith Moon (front & center), Roger Daltrey, and John Entwistle of The Who

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That’s probably the best description of Keith Moon I’ve heard– He’s like the Jackson Pollock of drums, he wouldn’t paint inside the lines like the rest of the world.  Keith Moon has also been called the Jimi Hendrix of the drum kit.  His drumming directly reflected his life– loud, wild, original, inspired, and totally unpredictable.  Moon was the first Rock & Roll superstar drummer, and the first drummer to be the center of the band, as many considered him to be.  He was the constant driving force that fueled The Who to incredible heights.  Moon was blessed to be surrounded with the incredible talents of Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, and John Entwistle (arguably one of the best Rock bass players ever), but to a lot of us — Keith Moon was The Who.

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Keith Moon, (in)famous drummer for The Who

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Keith Moon playing pinball at the International Pinball Tournament, an event coinciding with the opening of the group's rock opera "Tommy", ca. 1978.

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Tony Fletcher, author of Moon: The Life and Death of a Rock Legend, says Moon “did nothing short of revolutionizing the drums.” Moon influenced the drummers for Cream (Ginger Baker), Jimi Hendrix (Mitch Mitchell) and Led Zeppelin (John Bonham), and countless others that followed.

Before Moon, drums would just keep a beat in the background. But with songs like “I Can See for Miles” — in which Moon’s accelerating drum rolls and cymbal smashes seemed to compete with, but perfectly complemented, guitarist Pete Townshend’s power chords — The Who set a new role for the drummer.

Watch this crazy video below to learn more about Keith Moon’s love of pinball–

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Roger Daltrey, lead singer, says the energy in that song “is just unbelievable… He sounds like a steam locomotive at full pelt. His speed is incredible.” Moon combined a variety of styles “and made very much his own thing out of the drums,” Daltrey says.

“Keith was the first to treat the drums as though they were a lead instrument…” Fletcher says. “He really made the drums an instrument that spoke very much in the same way that a lead guitar does.”

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Self-destructive Keith Moon -- known for his love of alcohol and excess in all things.

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Roger Daltrey, Peter Townshend, John Entwistle & Keith Moon of The Who, ca. 1968.

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(Above left) 16 piece drum set plus two tympani. six cymbals and a gong. Gotta have the gong. Keith Moon was playing Premier drums, likely with Remo black dot heads. He did play Ludwigs, even had some Vistalites, which he stocked with goldfish.

Keith Moon’s Classic Red Sparkle Premier setup consisted of two 14×22-inch bass drums, three 8×14 mounted toms, one 16×16 floor tom, a 5×14 Ludwig Supraphonic 400 snare and one extra floor tom of different sizes but mainly 16×18 or 16×16. Moon’s classic cymbal setup consisted of two Paiste Giant Beat 18″ crashes and one 20″ ride. In 1973, Moon added a second row of tom-toms (first four, then six) and, in 1975, two more timbales.

Moon’s kit became so expansive — he often joked that one single floor tom was devoted to hold his cocktails.

Watch the incredible video below to learn about the method to Keith Moon’s drumming madness–

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Though Moon was known for his boisterous, over-the-top behavior, Fletcher professes one myth about him isn’t true: That he drove a Rolls Royce (some say Cadillac, others say Continental… let’s just say it was a large, expensive car) into a Michigan hotel swimming pool during his 21st (20th in reality) birthday party. But Daltrey begs to differ. “I saw it.  We paid the bill (for the damages). It was $50,000. It’s vague now, but I just remember the car in the pool. And the chaos. And Keith being rushed off to the dentist (after he was arrested) because he knocked his front tooth out… But then I read in the biography that never happened, so maybe I’ve been living someone else’s life, I don’t know.”

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Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones and Keith Moon of The Who, backstage at the 1977 American Music Awards.

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Keith Moon of The Who, ca. 1972.

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Roger Daltrey, Peter Townshend, Keith Moon, and John Entwistle of The Who -- check out Moon's crazy stacked heels.

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Daltrey says he and Moon didn’t get along during their earlier years together. The band members’ relationship was “a clash of egos,” Daltrey says. Moon thought he should be at front of the stage.

Daltrey says Moon did everything to excess. “He was the most generous, the most mean, he was the funniest… he could be the most unfunny, everything — the most loving, the most hateful… Everything about him was extreme,” Daltrey says.

Moon’s life was a short one. He died in 1978 at the age of 32, ironically of an overdose of pills that were meant to combat his alcoholism. Unlike Led Zeppelin, which disbanded after the death of drummer John Bonham, The Who kept going, initially replacing Moon with Kenny Jones. But, of course, Jones couldn’t hope to fill Moon’s shoes — and Fletcher says Who fans agree he never did.

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The Who's drummer Keith Moon aiming a gun in front of his new, modern house, ca. 1972.

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(Above right) John Entwistle, Roger Daltrey, Keith Moon, Pete Townshend performing on August 23rd, 1967, Flint, Michigan — the night of Keith Moon’s infamous 21st (truth be known, it was really his 20th) birthday party — where he allegedly drove a car into the pool and blew-up the toilet with M-80s (a stunt for which he was well-known and detested for by hoteliers worldwide).  This led to Keith Moon getting arrested, losing a tooth, and being banned for life from all Holiday Inn hotels — which is a dubious distinction in itself.

According to Pete Townshend, Keith Moon’s reputation for erratic behavior was something he cultivated. Once, on the way to an airport, Moon insisted they return to their hotel, saying , “I forgot something. We’ve got to go back!” When the limo returned, Moon ran to his room, grabbed the TV while it was plugged in, threw it out the window and into the pool. He then jumped back into the limousine, sighing “I nearly forgot.”

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Kim Moon aiming a shotgun at her husband Keith Moon's head.

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Keith Moon Laughing in His Sunken Living Room, ca. 1972.

How does Fletcher want Keith Moon to be remembered? “I would hope… that he is better respected as a musician and as a drummer… and that people look back on Keith not just as ‘Moon the loon’ and this incredibly extravagant comedic character who really was one in a million in terms of personalities, but that they would also look back and say, ‘That’s somebody who played a major role in rock music,’ and in his own way every bit as important a role as Pete Townshend or Roger and certainly as (bassist John Entwistle). This was somebody without whom we might still be listening to drummers going ‘boom-cha, boom-cha.’”

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Joe Walsh, Fred Sessler and Keith Moon, ca. 1970s.

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Keith Moon of The Who, ca. 1976.

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Keith Moon bangin' the skins for The Who

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A young fresh-faced Keith Moon on drums -- probably 14 or 15 yrs old.

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Above picture of Keith Moon VIA

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Rock God Cred Report:

Click here to check The Who “Sensation”

Buy “Tommy”

There’s a scene in Tommy, The Who’s rock opera, where Roger Daltrey is screaming, “I’m a sensaaaation” while flying around, bare-chested, on a hang glider. I was secretly hoping this is how Daltrey would open his Commodore show on Saturday (Oct. 10), gliding to the stage from a rope ala Mary Poppins but nope.

Get the full goods by reading Steve Newton’s Georgia Straight review here.

Photo©Colin Jones / TopFoto /www.proud.co.uk

Per la foto di Pete Townshend in camera da letto, davanti a una parete di Rickenbacker distrutte e la mia recensione di questa – fichissima – mostra fotografica, clikkare sul Rolling blog.

Following my earlier posting re Simon Townshend here he is with Roger Daltrey on last nights edition of the US show “Ellen”