Rock '70s: Setting The Stage

Over the past blogs, I've brought a lot about the Sixties rock into play ... and, yes, it was the main ingredient in this superb smorgasbord we call "rock". Without the sounds of bands like The Beatles (who, along with many others, took their cues from the Fifties rockabilly and R&B, there wouldn't be rock and roll. Period!


But there came time for another generation to take the reins and direct the music ... and they did so in their own direction:

First (and after a short term with leftover psychedelic-laced pop), there was the bubblegum era. A mix of Invasion-style rock with simple lyrics and chord changes (let alone basic songwriting), it lasted for a few years with bands like Paper Lace, Flying Machine and pseudo-bands Steam, First Class and such.

Then came a phenomenon so great that only one word was needed to describe it: D*I*S*C*O!
Although many credit the movie Saturday Night Fever with popularizing the craze, it actually got its roots back in the UK in the early 1960s.
Since the BBC had banned rock-and-roll from its airwaves, teens took their records to rec halls and clubs for what was called "emceed disc sessions." They could dance to the songs of their faves without the Beebs monitoring their every move.
These evolved into the discotheques of the mid-to-late-Sixties, and eventually found a new home under the glittering Disco ball of the Seventies.

And, while acts like the Bee Gees led the charge into this mad, musical menu of morphed minuets, there were others who were taking a harder approach to the music.
Names like Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Boz Scaggs began showing their chops; bands with unusual names like Steely Dan, ZZ Top and others came forward with some great (and a bit more substantive than b'gum) music. It was all more of a natural progression ...

Then there was one who broke off from another act and decided to take the best of both worlds and incorporate it into his music and stage presence to the effect that he became possibly the greatest "household word" in the genre: A young man named Michael Jackson.

We'll take it from here in the next post, when we begin our journey into the Seventies ...

THERE'S AN APP FOR ALMOST ANYTHING

The iPhone. When I first heard of this contraption, I imagined a big, thick rascal that'd leave a lump in your pocket if you tried to carry it. Besides, with it being a phone, there really couldn't be many applications that it could handle.
MANNN, was I EVER wrong!!

Quite frankly, I don't see how anyone who uses the phone, internet -- or wants to be organized -- could be without it! And now that Apple has released the new iPhone 3G (compact, sensible, so user-friendly that even a child could use it easily!), the world is literally at your fingertips in just seconds!

To learn more about this amazing device, then you'll wanna check out this sharp video about the new iPhone 3G.

Believe me, this is one smart phone -- one that you'll definitely be glad you purchased!

Swearin' To Make It Big

You know, we’ve talked a lot about how to start a rock band, get your first music into the ears of those who can help move it forward. We've also talked about how to get your first gigs (or venues).

Of course, the best way to "make it" is to be sure your band and music's acceptable to fans in general. If you can do that, it's pretty much a "given" that you'll be able to grow a decent fan-base (which, incidentally, buys the CDs, attends paying concerts, etc.).

But, for the sake of “getting noticed”, some will take the opposite approach. For example: there are a few bands popping up on the indie circuit that use a very obscene, four-letter word in their names.
While they might think it’s radical or sends a statement, don’t kid yourself: They’re doing it because it’s the only way they can get noticed! Their sound’s just not that good to begin with! Perhaps they know that and are doing the "vulgar" theme in order to at least get their feet in the door.

Meanwhile, they seem to forget the number of legal issues surrounding the use of their “name”, which include various decency and incitement ordinances.
In other words, the sound you’re hearing from their sets isn’t a snare’s rimshot … it’s the sound of them shooting themselves in their musical feet!

They won’t be heard on radio; most TV gigs will be out-of-the-question; and larger venue managers will, for the most part, avoid them like the plague!
So, as you're building your musical ensemble, remember … whatever you begin to play now, the way you carry that act onstage, even down to the band name you choose … can typecast you, not only now but all through your entire musical career!

FOR THE BEST, YOU NEED THE BEST

It's undeniable: Of all the cars on the market today, the most coveted are the super-performing, sleek-looking Ferraris. These cars actually need no description here, as their fame is global. The best way to discover the beauty, luxury and great power and performance of these legends is by owning one!
If you already own a Ferrari, then you'll want to know where to find the best. most dependable parts for it. Obviously, for a vehicle of this calibre, you want them to be the very best -- and from a company that knows the cars inside-and-out!
By clicking on the link you're about to see, you'll find a company that not only meets your needs with a vast array of original parts and more, but it'll all be at your fingertips! All you have to do is enter a description (or number) of the part you're needing into their database box, click "enter", and they'll find the part for you!
So, whether you have a V6, V8. 12-cylinder or a Supercar, you'll find the best and most reliable Ferrari parts just by clicking that link you just saw!
With vacation-time upon us, you'll want your Ferrari in tip-top shape ... so click there now!

For The Show That Never Was ...

Michael Jackson’s death this past Thursday has brought a looming question to thousands of fans who’d already bought tickets to his O2 This Is It shows:

Are we gonna get a refund?

So far, the answer is yes … “in due course”, according to AEG Live, who was sponsoring the gigs.

As with the rest of the world, the suits-behind-the-show are still in shock after learning of the self-proclaimed “King of Pop’s” demise and, with everything else to be handled about the eternal cancellation, they’re just not ready to handle the heavy refund load.

At present, there’s $82 million to be refunded off 750,000 ticket sales. It’s one of the biggest refund efforts in the history of the concert industry, and one concert executive said it’s also the “biggest mess in the history of our business.”

Ticketmaster’s customer service line played a recorded message advising customers to “await communication” from the company regarding refunds.

It continued: “We understand this is an upsetting time for all Michael Jackson fans and we want to thank you for your patience in this matter.”

And secondary ticket service Seatwave also told fans that they’d get a full refund.

“We are all saddened by the news of Michael Jackson’s death,” said CEO and founder Joe Cohen in a statement.

“All customers who purchased tickets for his O2 shows from Seatwave are covered by our TicketCover guarantee and will get a full refund.

Full information on how to do this is on our Web site at http://www.seatwave.com/. We advise customers to use the Web site rather than our phone lines to obtain this information.”

Look … the world needs to take time to mourn Michael’s passing, as we’d need if we’d lost a loved one. After all, he was a member of the rock family!

Paperwork (and ticket refunds) can come when that’s done. Agreed?? …

WHY Springsteen?

He'll be one of the last acts to ever play Giants Stadium.

And now you've got a chance to bid on tickets to Bruce Springsteen's concert -- and the proceeds will go to help charity!

Springsteen and the E Street Band are gonna hit the stage at the stadium on October 3, and tickets sold out in just minutes! But "The Boss" is giving you the chance to get some special tickets (in some of the best seating areas!).

Now, proceeds from the auction will go to World Hunger Year (WHY), which is an organization formed in 1975 by radio talk-show host Bill Ayres and singer/songwriter Harry Chapin (he did Cat's In The Cradle, Taxi and W*O*L*D).
Chapin saw hunger and poverty as an insult to America, and many of his concerts were benefit shows for the charities he was known to support (82 in all!). Also, the sales of all his concert merchandise were donated directly to WHY.
At the time of his death in 1981, it was found that Chapin had donated almost all of his personal fortune to charity!

Today, WHY is an international non-profit organization that connects grass roots charities with funding expertise and publicity.

Auction winners will also receive a WHY-Hard Rock Born In The USA 25th Anniversary Limited Edition Tee-shirt, Lapel Pin and Hat.

Now, the auction is gonna run until June 29, so time's runnin' out, yardbirds! If you wanna bid on the tix, they can be accessed here.

A RARE INVESTMENT

Recently, I had a friend from my hometown of Pineville, NC write and ask if I knew of any decent way to invest his collection of valuable old coins (and, as I remember, it was pretty extensive!). Sadly, it seems that the economy's just as rough down there now, and he thought it would be better if he invested the coinage -- just in case things got worse (he'd already seen his job downsize, and figured it'll close shortly).

I responded with the best news for anyone wanting to invest their rare coins: There's one business that'll not only invest them for you, but will work with you every step of the way to make sure you get the best return on that investment!
You see, Monaco Rare Coin has a sterling, nearly-40 year history of helping others make the most of their investment. They're known worldwide as the most professional and reliable investors of precious metals and coinage, and will go the extra mile to prove it by their service!
If you're looking to trade, they're involved in all aspects: the wholesale market, collector market, international market and auctions.
You'll also have immediate access to a tremendous range of investment-grade coins, and will present you with a wide range of investment programs that'll fit almost any budget!

Now, Bill wrote back and said he was going to get in touch with them and, in his words, "get the ball rolling". And so should you! Believe me, you'll feel much more secure when you turn to the world's most renowned and respected rare coin dealer.
It's more than just an investment of valuable coins ... it's an investment in your future!

Black Sabbat(h)ical?

Now, lemme see if I’ve got this right:

Tony Iommi, guitarist for Black Sabbath, is being sued by the rest of the band because he used its name while they had disbanded. And now they want the name back because they’ve reunited!

Without him on guitar, natch …

Sounds puzzling — but Ozzy Osbourne and the rest of the real Sabbath band are apparently going through with the lawsuit!

Here’s the petition that Ozzy had written:


'It is with great regret that I had to resort to legal action against my long-term partner, Tony Iommi, but after three years of trying to resolve this issue amicably, I feel I have no other recourse.

'As of the mid-1990's, after constant and numerous changes in band members, the brand of "Black Sabbath" was literally in the toilet and Tony Iommi [touring under the name Black Sabbath] was reduced to performing in clubs.

'Since 1997 when Geezer, Bill and myself rejoined the band, Black Sabbath has returned to its former glory as we headlined sold-out arenas and amphitheatres playing to upwards of 50,000 people at each show around the world.

'We worked collectively to restore credibility and bring dignity back to the name "Black Sabbath" which lead to the band being inducted into the UK and US Rock And Roll Hall of Fames in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

'Throughout the last 12 years, it was my management representatives who oversaw the marketing and quality control of the "Black Sabbath" brand through Ozzfest, touring, merchandising and album reissues. The name "Black Sabbath" now has a worldwide prestige and merchandising value that it would not have had by continuing on the road it was on prior to the 1997 reunion tour.

'Tony, I am so sorry it's had to get to this point by me having to take this action against you. I don't have the right to speak for Geezer and Bill, but I feel that morally and ethically the trademark should be owned by the four of us equally.

'I hope that by me taking this first step that it will ultimately end up that way.
We’ve all worked too hard and long in our careers to allow you to sell merchandise that features all our faces, old Black Sabbath album covers and band logos, and then you tell us that you own the copyright.
We’re all in our 60s now. The Black Sabbath legacy should live on long after we have all gone. Please do the right thing.'

So what do you think? If Iommi, in fact, does own the copyright, should he go through all the legal rigamarole to get it switched back over to the band?

Or, as some bands already do, should Sabbath maybe tweak their name a little, like “The Original Sabbath” or something?

THIS REHAB'S MORE THAN JUST "DRYING OUT"

Not far from where I write this blog is the famed Marshall University of Huntington, West Virginia - a city that's not only finding a burgeoning drug problem, but (and fortunately) a large number of users wanting to beat their addictions. The school, itself, helps its students through a great human-resources program. Sadly though, sometimes that's just not enough.
Of course, there are many treatment facilities around the nation -- but there's one I've found that stands out above all the rest. These people not only provide the best, most comprehensive treatment programs a patient would need -- they also work with that patient's mind and spirit to make the recovery permanent!
They also offer customized treatment plans, multiple payment plans, and even an alumni program, as they realize the followup can be just as vital as the initial treatment.
To find out more about the amazing program where alternative medicine meets drug rehab, just click the link you just passed. Study it carefully ... then spread the word.
It could save someone from a life of addiction ...

Commercial Punk?

LONDON (Billboard) - Never mind the bullocks. There’s more money in advertising.
Johnny Rotten (and some stampeding cows) have started a moooo-ve (had so say that. Sorry …) toward punk advertising in the UK.

The Sex Pistols frontman, now known as John Lydon, stars in popular U.K. TV commercials for the butter brand Country Life. Dressed like a country gentleman, the one-time rebel is seen watching English folk dancers, running from cows and yelling, “It’s not about Great Britain — it’s about great butter!”

On other UK channels, punk forefather Iggy Pop stars in ads for the online car insurance brand Swiftcover in which the shirtless Stooges frontman declares: “You think I’m selling car insurance? I’m not — I’m selling time!”

But he is selling car insurance — and lots of it! Swiftcover says its first-quarter sales soared 31 percent over the same period last year, thanks to the ad.
And Lydon has heated up butter sales — the ad brought an 85 percent increase in sales of its “spreadable” brands in fourth-quarter 2008!

Snowy Everitt, director of the London-based marketing agency Espionage, which specializes in putting brands and music together, explained what happened:

“Punk doesn’t mean what it meant 30 years ago. For most people in 2009, punk isn’t about music, it’s about attitude. Butter isn’t fun, edgy, sexy or cool — but, in times of economic crisis, advertisers need cut-through, and anything that gets you talked about is worth a punt.”

Swiftcover marketing director Tina Shortle agrees.

“We weren’t too worried if the target audience didn’t recognize Iggy as a celebrity,” she says. “We just wanted someone renowned for having fun and enjoying life.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if more brands looking to get cut-through go for rebellious figures,” Everitt added. “If it works, why not try it?”

COLON-IZING

One medical issue that many seem to overlook for whatever reason is the proper care of their colon. Yet, that's the one part of the body that can produce anything from annoying polyps to devastating cancer. So its cleanliness and health is extremely vital!
But there are so many companies that boast the best in colon cleansers that we're not sure which ones are reliable.
In a moment, though, I'll give you a link to a site that'll compare the best of them -- and, in fact, take it a step further and show you where you can get them at the best price!
From effectiveness to quality and customer satisfaction, they've covered all bases when it comes to finding the right cleansers! They also give you a very important "heads-up" against rip-off artists who'll promise the best cleaners -- but deliver nothing!
So, for your colon's health and wellness -- and to find the best colon cleanse for your situation -- just click the link you just passed.
For your health's sake, you'll be glad you did!

UK Legends Return

Following the theme of so many classic (and heretofore disbanded) rockers, the famed UK band Kajagoogoo is reuniting!

The original line up of the band (who had a UK hit with Too Shy in 1983) have organized 10 gigs for later this year.

Led by frontman Limahl (Christopher Hamill) they ended up at-odds with each other and split apart just eight months after Too Shy reached the top of the charts in the UK (it also was a hit in 22 other countries).

Limahl, 50, said: “It took us 25 years to grow up, basically. All this silly stuff - ‘if you want to talk to me, talk to my lawyer…’

“But now we’re back together, it’s a relief. When you get to our age, you know you’re half way through your life or more; you know this is not a rehearsal, it’s the real thing.”

The group’s publicist said Kajagoogoo is “armed with new songs”.

Fellow bandmate Nick Beggs, 47, is also pumped up for the reunion, saying: “If it ain’t fun, it ain’t worth doing.”

The tour starts in Liverpool on September 17 and finishes in Southampton two weeks later. Other locations being played will include Glasgow, Belfast, Norwich and Sheffield.

FINDIN' YOUR WAY AROUND

By now, everybody knows the value and importance of having a Global Positioning System (or "GPS" system) in their vehicles -- especially now, when vacation-time is approaching.
Knowing where the service stations (with their all-important bathrooms! lol), restaurants, malls, etc. are along the route -- as well as (and more importantly) knowing the route to get to your destination -- is extremely important, especially during long trips, night driving or trying to negotiate rough weather along the way.
But one thing that keeps many people from buying these is their in-store price tags. More often than not, when you shop for one, you'll either find "off-brands" that are questionable in their accuracy or a cost you can't afford.
There's one place where you can find the best of GPS systems -- and at great, wallet-pleasing prices! All you have to do is click on the link that'll provide you with the highly-recommended and dependable Garmin GPS system -- and you can load up and get on the road with confidence!
Click that link now -- and have a great trip!