RETURNING … with CHANGES

SURPRISED?? Hey … no need to be!

Y’see, I’d planned to be back many, many moons ago, after I got all my other business in order (a coupla other blogs, a zillion business reviews, a handful of articles, and … well, read on).

And, now, I’m expanding this little kaffeeklatsche to include more than just rock! You’re gonna find news items (and more) that just might tempt yer mental taste buds (don’t worry … I made ‘em high on protein, low on calories!).

But, first, a quick update:

First:  Remember The Rock Relic? Well, he’s/I’m now (and by readers’ request) The Electric Eagle! Seems I let it slip awhile back that the bald avarian was my moniker back-in-the-day, and folks like it better than a “relic” (which basically just sits around collecting dust, anyway).

Second:  I’m now the official U. S. Press Agent for the amazing and wildly popular UK band, THE FORE. You’ll be readin’ more about ‘em here as time goes on (hint: next issue!). Until then, catch ‘em as they update their blog every week!

Now … on to business:

WILL FERRELL DOESN’T BEAT AROUND THE BUSH!

The Double-E has learned that Will Ferrell is gonna star as George W. Bush in a Broadway show that opens in February.
The name of the show is “You’re Welcome America: A Final Night With George W. Bush” at New York’s Cort Theater, and they’ve got previews already in place to debut (of  all times) on … Inauguration Day (man, talk about yer slap(stick) in the face)!

The show’s gonna take look at Bush’s life — from college days to governor of Texas to the 2000 race for president and his terms as our less-than-appreciated Prez.

Ferrell, who poked fun at the 43rd Chief with his successful impersonations on “Saturday Night Live,” says he likes the fact that Bush “never thinks he’s wrong.”
“He’s arrogant with a school-boy attitude, and combine that with the fact that he is commander in chief — and, unfortunately, it’s very funny.”
He says viewers should “expect the unexpected” from the show — and some goofy nicknames, something Bush sometimes gives to members of his own administration!

The show’s gonna premiere on February 5 and run through March 15.
And, if ya can’t make it to the show, don’t worry: HBO has picked up the show, to air live on an undetermined date.

And, according to drummer Joey Kramer, Aerosmith has gone back into the studio to resume work on their first album of all-new material since 2001’s Just Push Play.

“Today is the first day Tom (Hamilton, Aerosmith bassist) and I are getting back together,” writes Kramer. “We just rehearsed for two hours 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 new Aerosmith album has been disturbed several times due to personal problems but is set to see the light of day at some point in 2009.  Meanwhile, the band has a date scheduled for February 1st at Venezuela’s Estadio Olimpico.

Okay … that’s it for this go-’round, but stay tuned … more is comin’ up shortly.  Until tomorrow (well, that’s “shortly”, isn’t it?) remember to

keep yer eyes on the skies, yer feet on the ground, yer heart with each other … and I’ll see ya on the flip side!

An Invite To Readers Everywhere

It’s been a long time since those days … or at least feels like it …

And, over the past while, The Electric Eagle (usedta be The Rock Relic) has looked for a decent roost for the blog.
For a time, I’ve planted my talons here, and have really enjoyed the rock, roll and remembrances we’ve had.

But now it’s time to move on …
and take ALL of you WITH me!

So (if you’re a true rockaholic or yardbird) here’s what I wantcha to do:

• When yer done readin’ this short-but-sweet post, I wantcha to click on the NEW site!
• Then, I want you all to BOOKMARK it! (If you don’t have a computer, just write it down on a piece of paper.)
• THEN — EVERY night, WITHOUT FAIL (???? You mean you actually fell for that last line in the “bookmark” part up there? Ummm … how ya gonna join us if yer not on the PC, huh?? Geez …), the Double-E is gonna have some hot, fresh and updated material for ya.

Y’see, I got a libbit tired of bangin’ my bald noggin against the keyboard, tryin’ to peck out different blogs with stuff scattered like … er, birdshot!

Soooooo, I’m combinin’ the best of it all: ROCK NEWS, VIDS, LINKS, MUSIC, INTERVIEWS … the WORKS … into one spot! And ya won’t haveta worry about it gettin’ stale, either — remember, I said “fresh EVERY day!” By the time you cats turn on yer PCs in the AM, you’re gonna have a new post to enjoy (and vids to see … and more).

Now, I’ll be keepin’ the fires warm here until everybody’s had a chance to switch over, okay? But do the Double-E a favor, willya? Tell all yer rock friends, no matter where they are on terra firma!
Thanks. Now …

LET’S ROCK!

See ya on the flip side there!

The Fore’s New CD — DYNAMIC!

INTRODUCING THE NEW CD … RUN AND HIDE!

Over the years (and like you), I’ve heard thousands of albums by artists from all over the rock spectrum. Some have impressed me, and many didn’t … but a few were exciting and unforgettable! And they were recorded by rockers who were destined to become legends!

And Run and Hide, the new album by the hot new UK band, The Fore, is proof enough that these guys are on their way to joining The Beatles, The Searchers, The Everly Brothers and The Hollies as a truly legendary band!

It’s a perfect complement to their debut album, Black and White, and, while the band retains its famous “alternative Merseybeat” sound, it shows the same distinct musical progression that their wildly-successful FOREfathers used!

HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE TRACKS:

Tell Your Friend — A Merseybeat rocker that sounds as raw and alive as any Beatle number!

That’s A Lie — A rockabilly-flavoured tune with the best harmony this side of the Everly Brothers … and a hook that’s fantastic!

Send My Love To You — If you’ve ever missed a loved one, this song will really touch your heart!  Folk-rock at its best!

Lazy Day — A relaxing, summer-like song that not only reminds you of slow-and-easy days lounging with your love, but has a wonderful way of makin’ you feel good!

We Were Meant To  Be — If you liked the Motown dance sound, you’re gonna be surprised at how well the lads duplicate it with this one!  It has a rockin’ chorus that blends in perfectly.  You won’t be able to keep your feet still with this one!

Natch, I can’t list ‘em all here, ’cause it’d take another page or two!  So, tell ya what:  Go on over to the band’s site and place your order today!

I guarantee that this is gonna be one of your favorite CDs ever!

Obama and Hip-Hop Music

It just came over the wire earlier today that President-elect Barack Obama supports a “change in the direction” of hip-hop music!

Sounds a bit strange for our 44th-President-to-be? Not according to hip-hop star Common, who thought of the idea!

“I really do believe we as hip-hop artists pick up what’s going on in the world and try to reflect that,” he told CNN, outlining his belief that mainstream as well as more socially aware rappers will pick up on what he sees as the more optimistic prospects of an Obama presidency.

“I think hip-hop artists will have no choice but to talk about different things and more positive things, and try to bring a brighter side to that because, even before Barack, I think people had been tired of hearing the same thing,” he said.

HIGH STREETERS, BEWARE …

A special “heads-up” for UK readers:
If you work or shop around the High Street near Leyton Mills shopping centre in east London, beware of the DVD pirates invading the area!
What these Chinese peddlers do is sell illegal (or pirated) DVDs in front of the supermarket, stores — even under the sign you see on your right!

While almost all of these peddlers have been arrested at one time or another, the police see them as minor offenders and let them go, only to see them return to their “business” shortly thereafter.
GOIN’ TO A GO-GO

Here in the states, one of the best, yet most intimate, venues for bands of the Sixties was the legendary Whiskey A Go-Go. The great Johnny Rivers performed there often (and recorded a live album there), and bands like The Byrds and The Doors were frequent performers as well.
But I just learned that Elmer Valentine, its co-founder, died this past Wednesday at his home in Studio City, California (not too far from my late friend Lloyd Thaxton’s). He was 85.
The man was part club owner, part promoter — sort of an early version of Fillmore East’s Bill Graham.  Yet, he was accessible to almost anyone who wanted to have a word with or meet him.
Another legend of the growing rock industry has left us. RIP, Elmer …

Well, that’s it for this edition.  But tune in tomorrow for more, okay?  I’ll be waitin’, so …

see ya on the flip side!

A Day Remembered …

As December 8, 2008 came to a close, it did so with a sigh of remorse as well as relief …

We remembered, with sad reflection and, to a degree, anger, the tragedy that took place at the Dakota twenty-eight years ago; how five bullets fired by a deranged egomaniac ended John Lennon’s life. In talking with readers on both sides of the Atlantic, I heard one recurring reaction: (example from Randy from Calgary) “It wasnt that he died because it could happen to anybody anytime. It shocked me because he was murdered in cold blood.”

Earlier, I’d gotten word that Dennis Yost, leader of the Classics IV and a man whose personality was as great as his talent, died the day before.
Then, I received word that a friend of mine, realtor Kelli Lowman, had died suddenly. She was only 46.

Then, late last night, a very somber Craig Ferguson went center-stage to tell his audience that his mother, Janet Ferguson, had died a week ago today, and that he’d just returned from her funeral in Scotland.
He forsook the normal comedic monologue to pay a moving tribute to her life — and, twice, he choked up. A man who clearly loved both parents (his father died in 2005, and he did the same in Robert Ferguson’s honor), he gave the audience the greatest gift that any talent can impart: sharing of his true self. As he spoke of his father always “getting the news” from his mother, they were now both together (and, here, he paused as his eyes began tearing and he tried to compose himself), and she was (his voice cracked as he started to sob) “breaking the news” to him again.
Immediately — and without looking at the camera — he quickly said “We’ll be back in a minute”. Cut to commercial …

As I write this, December 8 is behind us. Perhaps … just perhaps … this new day’s gonna start out a little better, a little more optimistic.
Now … let’s move on to something brighter:

NKOTB

That means, new kitten on the block. Now, I dunno who loves moggies more: me or my great mate Ron Ryan. But I can tell ya this much: The little guy I’ve got (a bit of a manx, I think; her nub-of-a-tail looks like a spoiler from an old Camaro — but with fur …) is fast, playful — and apparently hates the Lovin’ Spoonful (whenever I play Nashville Cats on the PC, she tears at the speakers!).
Soooooo, I thought (since “Sebastian’s” too common, and “Yanofsky” is a bit odd) to name her after John’s old group, The Mugwumps. But, every time I called for her, my Westie, Brandy, would look up at me like, “WHAT the hell is a MUGWUMP??” Not wanting to lose my reputation among the brood, I renamed her “Autumn”. So far, Brandy hasn’t noticed …

Well, listen … I know it’s a stranger post than usual, but, then, 8 December was a strange day. Later this evening, we’ll get up-to-speed with the rockin’, rollin’ and writin’. It’s just that, at this point, I felt a little like reflectin’.

See ya on the flip side … we WILL rock again!!

Remembering John Lennon

If you were anywhere near a radio or TV late that night, twenty-eight years ago, chances are your heart stopped beating for a moment as the words came from station newsdesks:

“… has just been confirmed that former Beatle John Lennon has been gunned down in front of the Dakota apartment building he shared with his wife, Yoko Ono.”

It was the night the world stood still … in grief because, after all, John Lennon was not only an icon of peace; he was the leader of The Beatles; in disbelief, because he was only 40 years old; and in complete shock and anger, because it wasn’t disease or an accident or an overdose that took his life (he’d already stopped the drug use, btw); it was an assassin’s bullet!

For a moment, let’s re-visit that night … as reported by WBBM Channel 2:
(apparently, this “video” thing on WordPress isn’t working right. So just click here for the vid, okay? Sorry for the inconvenience …)

And here’s how the story was broken in UK newspapers the night of his murder.

So at 5:30 AM here, I’m gonna close with the one reminder that John left as his legacy:  We must ALL Give Peace A Chance.  As the dawn of a new Administration is beginning shortly, we’ve got the best chance in years to make it happen!

See ya on the flip side!

This Week in Rock History

THIS WEEK IN ROCK HISTORY

Mary Had A Little Lamb were the first words that Thomas Edison spoke into the new phonograph he’d invented. He didn’t think it’d work, but, fortunately, it did. It happened in 1877.
(* Actually, the first recording, as was discovered earlier this year, was made in France in 1860! See this site for more.)

It was a big month for THE BEATLES! In fact, on December 3, 1961, Brian Epstein invited John, Paul, George and Pete Best to his office to discuss the possibility of him becoming their manager! Six days later, he was hired!

On December 4, three years later, the Fab Four released Beatles For Sale, which would go on to top the UK charts for eleven weeks!

One year later — on December 3, 1965 — they kicked off a series of nine UK gigs. Unfortunately, it’d be their final tour of Great Britain.

Rudy Vallee LIVES! It was on that same day — in 1966 — that one of the most surprising hits of the mid-rock era occurred! A catchy number called Winchester Cathedral by The New Vaudeville Band was released — and became #1 in both America and England!
The song captured the sound of the late 1920s, with singer/founder Geoff Stephens even singing the lead vocals through a megaphone on the record (and on occasion in live performances).

Okay … maybe some of you young whippersnappers don’t believe it coulda really happened. So ahhh, leave it to Uncle Double-E to prove it, huh??

(WHOA! Since I’m still gettin’ the hang of this new “WordPress” uploader, I’ll have to give ya the URL to the vid this time.)

Click here to watch them perform Winchester Cathedral

Now, we’ve still got a lotta month to go yet, so we’ll come back to this each week until we hit the ‘09. But stay tuned, ’cause there’s a lot more comin’ up tomorrow. Until then,

see ya on the flip side!

News, Shoes and Amuse

“What’s love got to do with it??”
Plenty … especially if you’re Tina Turner and have a tremendous attachment to fans!
Y’see, the superstar was taken to a NY hospital this past Sunday (30 Nov) with a severe fever. But get this: Even though she’d been put on oxygen, she checked herself out the next day and played a two-and-a-half hour show that night at Madison Square Garden! At one point, she even got Tom Cruise (yes, that one!) to come onstage and sing backup on one of her hits!
Now, I don’t have word how she’s doin’ today, but, with guts like that, ya just know she’s gonna be all right!

Now, if you’re a fan of Joan “I Love Rock and Roll” Jett, you’ll wanna see this: She’s producing a film about her ’70s all-girl band, The Runaways. Earlier this week, she signed Kristen Stewart (you remember her from the smash hit Twilight) to play her. The film (scheduled to be filmed early next year) is gonna focus on Joan, Cherie Curie and the other members of the group, including Lita Ford and Micki Steele, who later joined The Bangles.

If the Double-E had a list of his top five young rock personalities, Billy Joe Armstrong of Green Day would be at #5 (c’mon … only The Fore could have the top … well, four spots! Wait’ll you meet ‘em …). Offstage, Billy’s a down-to-earth, sensible guy who’s got as tremendous a heart as he has a brain! For example:
He’s now got his own official shoe on the market (thanx to Converse sneakers) with some of the profits goin’ to charity.
The shoe is called 1HUN(RED), is mostly black with sharp, red soles and made from hemp and leather. But here’s the best part: 10% of the proceeds from each pair sold will go to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
From the press release: “The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was created to dramatically increase resources to fight three of the world’s most devastating diseases, and to direct those resources to areas of greatest need. The Fund has committed over US$ 5.4 billion in 131 countries to support aggressive interventions against all three.”
Now, they’re available in sizes up to thirteen and a half, cost $69.99 (a great price, if you’ve seen the cost of sneakers these days), and are available wherever good shoes are soled … er, sold.
So don’t think yer bird-brained uncle ain’t lookin’ out for ya! Already (over the past coupla posts), I’ve given ya ideas for two great Christmas gifts that won’t bust yer wallet:
1. The Fore’s new CD, Run and Hide
2. Billy Joe’s official 1HUN(RED) sneakers!

It’s been two months now since my buddy, Lloyd Thaxton, passed away of multiple myeloma (and there’s not a day goes by that I — and the rock world — don’t miss him).
But, on November 15, a tremendous show of comedy and love took place at the International Myeloma Foundation’s second annual Comedy Celebration .
It kicked off at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre and Club in L.A., and the lineup was fantastic: Patricia Heaton, Jeff Garlin, Kevin James, Robert Klein, Doris Roberts, and Fred Willard all took turns at the mic with hilarious stand-up, and of course!) there were musical guests: the one-and-only Blues Brothers – (Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi).
Proceeds from the evening went to the Peter Boyle Memorial Fund at the International Myeloma Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to fighting this deadly bone-marrow cancer (right now, there’s no known cure).
Hosts of the event included Alec and William Baldwin, Halle Berry, Candice Bergen, Kim Cattrall, Ted Danson, Mariska Hargitay, Ethan Hawke, Michael Keaton, Robin Leach and Bette Midler.
Let’s hope that the disease that cruelly and too-prematurely took Uncle Lloyd and Peter Boyle (remember him as Ray’s dad on Everybody Loves Raymond, but, FYI, he was also John Lennon’s best man when he married Yoko!) will soon have a cure. The fine work done by the IMF, plus the prospect of President Obama makin’ good on his word to resume stem cell research, gives us some hope anyway …

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

Now … before I cap this off for the night, lemme remind you that, despite bein’ a revived Eagle, my moggies and I get along great! Welllllll … until I brought my Siamese Radar and Ricky back from bein’ neutered. Here’s what happened when they returned home:

‘Nuff said?

See ya on the flip side!

A Personal Note To Readers

Okay … ya see the name in the banner, and yer seein’ what The Double-E has to offer! Now, there’s a method to the madness here:

Y’see, while I was still recoverin’ from the VM, the ol’ gears in what’s left of my brain started grindin’: First, a Relic is somethin’ that’s got some age on it, sometimes a bit rusty, often forgotten, and … and … (ahem!) — mebbe I oughtta stick with that name after all! Let’s … let’s move on before I get depressed …

But an Eagle — especially an electric one — means action, awareness, and gettin’ the job done! Now, I’d started my writin’ career as that, and — especially after findin’ an email from rockaholic Tom Thompson a few days ago (he’d followed the site since b5 days, and was the same one who, as a third-grader, gave me the avarian moniker in the first place!) — decided to give the wings a spread and see if the old bird could still fly!

At first, I introed the Double-E based on the old syndicated column; but, yardbirds, rock-n-roll is my soul — so it only makes sense to turn it loose on this site, and transform The Rock Relic into THE ELECTRIC EAGLE!

Now, we’re gonna keep the same address for a bit, so keep yer fave Rock Relic site in yer bookmarks! But, as the Eagle, I’m gonna be expanding this rascal and addin’ more than you’ve seen before!

That bein’ said, I’ve gotta get back to gettin’ everything together for the first official post of the Double-E! So, stay tuned for tomorrow’s episode … I’ve got a feelin’ yer gonna like whatcha see/hear/read/experience!

See ya on the flip side!

The Grammy HoF Nominees

Well, the word’s out: the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences added 28 recordings to their Grammy Hall of Fame yesterday. These, along with the 798 others who’ve already been inducted, apparently meet the criteria of the Hall of Fame:“recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance that are at least 25 years old.” (Recording Academy’s Hall of Fame Awards)
The class of 2009 includes:

Harry Belafonte’s “Banana Boat Song”,
Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs’ “Wooly Bully”,
Ramsey Lewis’ “The ‘In’ Crowd”
Aretha Franklin’s “I Never Loved A Man The Way I Loved You” album
Stevie Wonder’s “For Once In My Life”,
Wynonie Harris’ original “Good Rockin’ Tonight”,
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Ohio” ,
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama”
Queen’s “We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions” radio mix and
Jimi Hendrix’s version of the “Star Spangled Banner”.

The Hall of Fame be in the Grammy Museum which opens this Saturday in Los Angeles.

Of these, only a few stand out (IMHO) as HoF-worthy (c’mon … although I dug Wooly Bully, does it really belong there?): Hendrix’s Banner was nothing less than brilliant (check out the Woodstock performance for proof!). No one’s been able to duplicate it yet. Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama” has become the anthem of budding rock bands everywhere in America.
But the one that should’ve been there years ago was CSNY’s song about the tragedy at Kent State University, Ohio. It not only opened the eyes of so many about the atrocities that occurred when National Guardsmen opened fire on the unsuspecting students there, but it was actually banned in Ohio for some time after the shootings (the ’suits’ thought it would cause trouble for the state! Sorry, but I don’t buy that; the state caused its troubles!)

Anyway, congrats to the new inductees! These are solid-gold gems to us all …

Well, that’s gonna have to be “it” for tonight (??? It’s after 4 AM here!!). But all ya gotta do is tune us in Wednesday evening for more … and, until then,
I’ll see ya on the flip side!