We think of them as legends now, but the bands and artists involved in the New York punk scene of the 1970s didn’t get much recognition in their time. The Ramones, Television, and The New York Dolls had a local following but never made it into the big time like their latter contemporaries like Blondie… Continue reading 75: Rejected Songs, Collaborations, and a Fresh Take
74: Love, Marriage, and Rock Stardom
Ever since the relationship between Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen (68: Punk, Hotel Rooms, and Heroin – Beat Marches On), the tabloids tend to speculate as to who is going to be the next disaster couple. Pete Doherty and Kate Moss, Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder-Civil, and even Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee. In the… Continue reading 74: Love, Marriage, and Rock Stardom
73: Overreaction, Halftime Shows, and a Wardrobe Malfunction
It’s halftime of Superbowl XXXVIII (or 38 for you non-romans) The New England Patriots lead the Carolina Panthers 14-10 and will eventually go on and keep their lead to win their second Superbowl in three years. The win for New England isn’t what is remembered at this particular Superbowl, however, it’s the hijinks that occurred… Continue reading 73: Overreaction, Halftime Shows, and a Wardrobe Malfunction
72: Big Bands, Small Planes, and The Missing Leader
During the Second World War, everybody did their part. Even the most famous of people. Alfred Hitchcock made pro-allied propaganda films, French actress Josephine Baker was a part of the French resistance, and James Doohan or Scotty from Star Trek stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day in 1944. It wasn’t just the film… Continue reading 72: Big Bands, Small Planes, and The Missing Leader
71: Conspiracies, Authors, and Presidents
In the age of the internet, it is easy to create a conspiracy. Celebrities who have been body swapped, death caused by one thing, but in reality, it turns out to be something totally different, or (insert flamboyant musician here depending on your generation), removed ribs to give themselves some er self-love. Most of these… Continue reading 71: Conspiracies, Authors, and Presidents
70: Thanksgiving, Finale’s, and Robbery
Eric Clapton, the guitar god himself, inducting The Band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame said ‘I travelled to Woodstock to meet the Band to ask to join, but I didn’t have the guts to ask them’ and many people in the industry felt this way about The Band. They were the musicians,… Continue reading 70: Thanksgiving, Finale’s, and Robbery
69: Africa, Espionage, and Jazz
No one likes being played for a fool. Whether it’s the cocky little so-and-so down the pub, or it’s the government U-turning, it gives you one of the worst feelings you can have. It’s embarrassment, anger, and humiliation all wrapped up into one. So, when a government spy agency uses a musician tour for ulterior… Continue reading 69: Africa, Espionage, and Jazz
68: Punk, Hotel Rooms, and Heroin
Some musicians become famous; some people become infamous. Some musicians have talent; some musicians have not so much. Sex Pistols bass player Sid Vicious probably is categorized in the latter of those but is recognised as one of the architects of the punk scene. That is until his girlfriend and manager Nancy Spungen is found… Continue reading 68: Punk, Hotel Rooms, and Heroin
67: Religion, Prime Time, and Fighting The Real Enemy
Religion and modern music have always had a rocky relationship. When the Rock and Roll era started it was classed as the devil’s music. Outrage was caused when John Lennon was quoted as saying that the Beatles were bigger than Jesus (although they probably were). In the late 1980s members of the Scandinavian Death Metal… Continue reading 67: Religion, Prime Time, and Fighting The Real Enemy
66: Tensions, Break-Ups, and Sibling Rivalries
There’s always a competitive nature between siblings. Being the eldest of three growing up we were always trying to outdo each other. But when it comes to brothers in bands it hardly ever becomes happy families. Just ask Dave and Ray Davies of the Kinks or David and Mark Knopfler they didn’t end well. This… Continue reading 66: Tensions, Break-Ups, and Sibling Rivalries