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January 1 - 10, 2010
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!
January 1, 2010
Super producer Tom Dowd, who worked with Eric Clapton, the Allman Brothers, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Lynyrd Skynyrd and a hundred others, would have been 85.
On this date in 1953, Hank Williams Sr. died at the age of 29 — the first tragic Rock & Roll ending.
On this day in 1972, the song "Bang A Gong (Get It On)" by T. Rex entered the charts.
This weekend, The Best of OFF THE RECORD (pt. 2) with Joe Benson will feature music and interviews with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, Foreigner's Mick Jones and Kelly Hanson and Nils Lofgren of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band as well as George Thorogood — stream on!
New Year/New Warnings
Now they're telling us that due to increasing product liability litigation, American liquor manufacturers have accepted the FDA's suggestion that the following 10 warning labels be placed on all containers:
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may make you think you are whispering when you are not.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to think you can sing.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may lead you to believe that ex-lovers are really dying for you to telephone them at four in the morning.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may make you think you have mystical Kung Fu powers, resulting in you getting your ass kicked.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to roll over in the morning and see something really scary.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol is the leading cause of inexplicable rug burns on the forehead, knees and lower back.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may lead you to think people are laughing WITH you.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause a disturbance in the time-space continuum, whereby gaps of time may seem to literally disappear.
WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause pregnancy.
January 2, 2010
On this date in 1969, filming began for The Beatles documentary "Let It Be" as the band rehearsed songs at London's Twickenham Studios.
On this date in 1969, Led Zeppelin began a four-day residency at the Whisky-A-Go-Go supporting Alice Cooper.
On this date in 1971, George Harrison became the first former Beatle to hit #1 on the U.S. album charts with his 3-disc collection "All Things Must Pass."
January 3, 2010
Beatles' producer George Martin is 84.
The extraordinary Stephen Stills is 65.
Led Zeppelin bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones is 64.
On this day in 1970, The Beatles recorded their last song together, George Harrison's "I Me Mine." The sad tune was inspired by a particularly nasty business meeting endured by the formerly Fab Four in late 1968. Harrison, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney were joined in that last session by keyboardist Billy Preston. John Lennon — who had more or less quit the band in September 1969 — was in Denmark with Yoko Ono at the time.
On this day in 1976, Queen's classic "Bohemian Rhapsody" entered the charts. Scaramoosh!
January 4, 2010
R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe is 50.
On this day in 1970, George Harrison recorded the second guitar solo for "Let It Be." It was the last Beatles recording session to feature Harrison, Paul McCartney and producer George Martin, as well as the last recording session of The Beatles as a band.
On this day in 1971, Pink Floyd began sessions for their "Meddle" album. Then, when director Stanley Kubrick inquired if he could use the band's previous album, "Atom Heart Mother," for the soundtrack to "A Clockwork Orange," the boys said no. Sharp business men, those Floydians.
On this day in 1973, the Allman Brothers Band announced that Lamar Williams had been hired as the replacement for Berry Oakley, who died in a motorcycle crash the previous October.
On this day in 1986, Thin Lizzy's bassist/singer Phil Lynott died in the intensive care unit of Salisbury Infirmary in England. His kidneys, liver and heart failed due to blood poisoning and multiple internal abscesses caused by drug abuse. At the age of 35, he certainly wasn't a hero.
The Return Of Soundgarden
As strongly rumored for several months, Soundgarden is officially reuniting 13 years after they split up. It's expected that frontman Chris Cornell, guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Ben Shepherd and drummer Matt Cameron (now a full time member of Pearl Jam) will first release a box set, then tour later this Summer after Matt's commitment to Pearl Jam's tour is fulfilled. Stay tuned!
Paul Says No
Word is that before director Sam Taylor Wood's John Lennon biopic "Nowhere Boy" debuted at the 2009 London Film Festival on October 29th, Sir Paul McCartney confronted her about her depiction of Lennon's Aunt Mimi in the film. Macca strongly disagreed with the portrayal of Aunt Mimi as a tough disciplinarian, and on his pointed request, Wood changed the tone of Aunt Mimi's character and apologized with a personal invitation to a screening. Paul did not accept. The film will be released Stateside later this month at the Sundance Film Festival.
Suing Eddie
You would think that it would have been a wonderful thing for Canadian singer/songwriter Gordon Peterson when Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder covered his song "Hard Sun" for the soundtrack to the 2007 Sean Penn film "Into The Wild." But no! Three years later, Peterson is suing, charging that Vedder changed the lyrics to the song, and that it was licensed without permission. Of course Gordon's seeking all of the profits from the alleged acts of infringement... so please take note if you ever hear anything about Mr. Peterson and his wonderful career ever again!
It was Oscar Wilde who said: "Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account."
It was Steve Kaye who said: "Long pointless meetings are useful in that they keep incompetent people from interfering with those who are working."
Three Fresh Factoids For The New Year
#1. You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television.
#2. Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.
#3. 35% of the people who use personal ads for dating are already married.
January 5, 2010
Chris Stein, Blondie guitarist/songwriter and one-time Debbie Harry squeeze, is 61.
On this day in 1973, Aerosmith's self-titled debut album and Bruce Springsteen's debut album, "Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J." were both released to lackluster sales.
On this day in 1998, Sonny Bono died after he skied into a tree in South Lake Tahoe.
Josh Is A Pepper
As expected, Red Hot Chili Peppers touring guitarist Josh Klinghoffer has replaced his friend John Frusciante as the band's lead guitarist. It's not clear if the Peppers have actually started recording their first studio album in three years, but they are scheduled to perform at the 2010 MusiCares Person Of The Year gala dedicated to Neil Young later this month during GRAMMY weekend.
Is Van A Daddy (Or Not)
Remember last week's widely heralded story about the birth of a son to 64-year-old singing icon Van Morrison and his "supposed" business manager, Gigi Lee? Van wants you to believe it was a complete lie perpetrated by hackers chewing through Van's poorly secured web site. The highly reclusive (and sometimes cranky) artist officially says he, his wife Michelle and their two young children are doing fine. But the Brit tabloids say...
Bono Doesn't Like Stealing
U2 frontman Bono welcomed in the new decade with a guest column in "The New York Times." In his musings on Internet piracy, sexy cars and more, he emphatically pushed for greater protections for the creators of intellectual property, pointing out that file swapping mainly hurts "fledgling songwriters who can't live off ticket and T-shirt sales." That statement alone will probably get u2.com hacked.
It was Steven Wright who asked: "Do you think that when they asked George Washington for ID that he just whipped out a quarter?"
It was Abraham Lincoln who said: "The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time."
January 6, 2010
Original Pink Floyd singer/guitarist Syd Barrett would have been an insane 64.
Guitarist Malcolm Young of AC/DC is 57.
On this day in 1968, The Beatles "Magical Mystery Tour" album hit #1.
On this day in 1976, Peter Frampton released "Frampton Comes Alive," which rewrote the record books and spurred the release of many, many horribly inferior live albums for years to come.
On this day in 1993, bassist Bill Wyman officially left The Rolling Stones saying, "I really don't want to do it anymore." Keith Richards, who had been trying to convince Wyman to stay, could only say, "I did everything but hold him at gunpoint." Since then, Bill has only taken three airplane flights.
On this day in 2001, Fleetwood Mac performed at the White House at a goodbye party for President Bill Clinton. For whatever reason, Christine McVie skipped the reunion.
This weekend, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Fleetwood Mac as well as more of Joe's conversations with Mick Fleetwood and producer Ken Caillat. Stream on!
No Stones (Yet)
We knew that The Rolling Stones were considering a road trip later this Fall, but now they have responded to rumors about headlining this Summer's Glastonbury Festival with a flat out denial of plans to tour in 2010. That means 2011 is for sure — as long as there are no health issues. That also gives guitarist Ronnie Wood a little more time to clean up his act.
Two More For The GRAMMYS
Green Day and The Dave Matthews Band are the latest to sign on to perform at the upcoming GRAMMY Awards ceremony. Both artists are also GRAMMY nominees. Green Day is up for three awards -- Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals and Best Rock Song for "21 Guns," and Best Rock Album for "21st Century Breakdown." The Dave Matthews Band is vying for Album Of The Year and Best Rock Album with their "Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King" album. The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards will air on Sunday January 31st on CBS TV.
Yoko May Write
Yoko Ono says that she's finally ready to write a memoir revolving around her life with John Lennon. Previously, the enigmatic 76-year-old artist said she'd avoid writing an autobiography because it might hurt the families of The Beatles as well as the people close to the band. If she actually proceeds with the project, it will be the first time that she tells "her side of the story" via a book. Lennon's first wife, Cynthia — the mother of his 46-year-old son Julian — has written two autobiographies chronicling her life with the icon.
Celebrity Hell
What would happen if you put Bret Michaels, Cyndi Lauper and Sharon Osbourne together in a small room? Just another episode of Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice." Other confirmed contestants for this season include former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and former major league baseball star Darryl Strawberry. Whew! The show debuts on March 14th on NBC.
It was Mae West who said: "Too much of a good thing can be wonderful."
It was Farah Fawcett who said: "The reason that the all-American boy prefers beauty to brains is that he can see better than he can think."
January 7, 2010
Singer/songwriter Kenny Loggins is 62.
On this day in 1978, Jackson Browne's "Running On Empty" album entered the charts.
On this day in 1978, "Lay Down Sally" by Eric Clapton entered the singles charts.
On this day in 1984, "Wrapped Around Your Finger" by The Police entered the singles charts.
Just Lick This
Ever the "class" operation, England's Royal Mail has released 10 special stamps featuring classic British album covers like Pink Floyd's "The Division Bell," The Rolling Stones' "Let It Bleed," "London Calling" from The Clash and Led Zeppelin's untitled fourth album. Zep guitarist Jimmy Page marked the release by saying (in a very proper English accent), "Almost 40 years after the album came out, nobody knows the old man featured on the cover, nor the artist who painted him. That sort of sums up what we wanted to achieve with the album cover, which has remained both anonymous and enigmatic at the same time." Kinda like the RoyalMail.com web site, if you're looking to order some stamps.
KISS Galore
Gene Simmons, joined this time by his KISS bandmates, will reprise his role of "Dr. Love" in the Dr Pepper Super Bowl commercial. How ever do you think they'll promote Dr Pepper Cherry's unique taste — achieved with a "kiss" of cherry flavor" — on February 7th?
Allmans Movin'
A scheduling conflict at the Beacon Theatre has forced The Allman Brothers Band to move their annual New York City residency. This year, the group will perform a minimum of eight shows at the United Palace Theatre uptown on 175th street. March 11th through the 13th, the 15th and 16th, and the 18th through the 20th will be the first dates to go on sale. They say the band won't be touring much this year, so don't delay your ticket purchase!
Green Day/Great White Way
Not only is Green Day's stage musical "American Idiot" drawing rave reviews, it's going to Broadway! The theatrical piece will begin its run at the St. James Theatre on April 20th. "American Idiot," featuring music from the band's 2004 album as well as some tunes from their 2009 "21st Century Breakdown" album, had its first run last year at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in California. You can learn more at AmericanIdiotOnBroadway.com.
Pete May Roll Thru
Starting in Paris on March 22nd, Peter Gabriel will be doing a few large European concerts to promote his long-in-gestation album, "Scratch My Back." The short run will include shows at London's giant O2 Arena on March 27th and 28th. Peter's shows will feature tracks from the new album, which is comprised entirely of cover songs arranged for orchestra. While there are still no hints of U.S. tour dates, the album itself will be out on February 10th.
It was Coach John Wooden who said: "The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team."
It was Johann Wolfgang Von Goeth who said: "To think is easy. To act is difficult. To act as one thinks is the most difficult."
January 8, 2010
Bill Graham, the first Rock & Roll Super-Promoter, would have been 79.
Elvis "The King" Presley would have been 75.
Doors guitarist Robby Krieger is 64.
The one & only David Bowie is 63.
On this day in 1977, Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way" entered the singles charts.
On this day in 1991, Def Leppard guitarist Steve Clark overdosed on drugs and alcohol. A founding member of the young band, he was all of 30 when he died. What a waste.
This weekend, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Fleetwood Mac as well as more of Joe's conversations with Mick Fleetwood and producer Ken Caillat. Stream on!
Oldest Sold The Mostest
"Rolling Stone" magazine said it best: "In a year that featured new releases by U2, Green Day and Pearl Jam, it's surprising that the year's best-selling band is, well, no longer a band." The Beatles' "1" compilation was the decade's top-selling album, and 40 years after they broke up, the Fab Four were the top-selling band of 2009. Thanks to their remastered catalog, The Beatles sold 3,282,000 units in 2009 without the aid of any digital music services, placing the group third behind Michael Jackson and Taylor Swift and in front of Susan Boyle on the 2009 top-selling artist chart. But wait — there's more! "Abbey Road" was the best selling vinyl album of the year. Metallica rounded out the decade with the best selling CD of the SoundScan era — since 1991, Metallica's self-titled fifth album (the "black album") sold a total of 15,490,000 copies. The band is now #4 on the Top 10 Selling Artists of the SoundScan Era chart with over 52 million units sold. Garth Brooks, The Beatles and Mariah Carey are the only artists to have sold more albums. And the beat goes on.
New Rules?
Faced with inducting bands like Deep Purple, Rush and Yes into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, word is that Hall Of Fame officials are considering changing the requirements for a band to be eligible for induction. Currently, 25 years have to pass since a band first released an album before they can be up for induction. They're saying that rule might be amended to 20 years, allowing groups like Guns N' Roses, Nirvana, Green Day, among others, to be eligible for the 2011 ceremony. God knows The Hall doesn't want Don Henley, Steve Miller, Stevie Ray Vaughan or some other group of "musicians" when you can get Guns N' Roses!
New Live Pretenders
If they're going to call it "The Pretenders: Live in London," then it must be a new live CD/DVD from The Pretenders! Due out on February 9th, the 100-minute show features the band performing one of group leader Chrissie Hynde's favorite shows of the tour. You can learn more at ThePretenders.com.
It was Coach Vince Lombardi who said: "There's no such thing as perfection. But, in striving for perfection, we can achieve excellence."
It was Eddie Rickenbacher who said: "Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared."
January 9, 2010
Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin guitar god and the oldest of the Yardbirds "Holy Trinity" of guitarists, is 66.
Scat singing/swell playing Dave Matthews is 43.
On this day in 1967, The Beatles recorded the flutes, trumpets, piccolos and flugelhorn for "Penny Lane."
On this day in 1971, Santana's "Black Magic Woman" peaked at #4 on the charts.
On this day in 1971, the U.S. Jaycees presented Elvis Presley with an award honoring him as one of the "ten outstanding young men of America." Kind of doubtful he was the only one who was stoned at the ceremony.
On this day in 1982, the song "Under Pressure" by Queen & David Bowie peaked at #29 on the charts.
January 10, 2010
Rod Stewart is 65 and still fertile.
Drummer Aynsley Dunbar (who's worked with Zappa, Bowie, Journey, and the Jefferson Starship) is 64.
Donald Fagan, the taller half of Steely Dan, is 62.
Songstress Pat Benatar is 57.
On this day in 1956, Elvis Presley began his first RCA recording session. By the end of the day, the finished songs included "I've Got A Woman" and "Heartbreak Hotel."
On this day in 1973, Aerosmith's "Dream On" reentered the singles charts for the second time in 18 months.
On this day in 1976, legendary bluesman Howlin' Wolf died of cancer at the age of 65.
2012
Feb. 1 - 15
Feb. 16 - 29
2011
Dec. 1 - 10
Dec. 11 - 20
Dec. 21 - 31
Nov. 1 - 10
Nov. 11 - 20
Nov. 21 - 30
Oct. 1 - 10
Oct. 11 - 20
Oct. 21 - 31
Sept. 1 - 10
Sept. 11 - 20
Sept. 21 - 30
Aug. 1 - 10
Aug. 11 - 20
Aug. 21 - 31
July 1 - 10
July 11 - 20
July 21 - 31
June 1 - 10
June 11 - 20
June 21 - 30
May 1 - 10
May 11 - 20
May 21 - 31
April 1 - 10
April 11 - 20
April 21 - 30
March 1 - 10
March 11 - 20
March 21 - 31
Feb. 1 - 10
Feb. 11 - 20
Feb. 21 - 28
Jan. 1 - 10
Jan. 11 - 20
Jan. 21 - 31
2010
Dec. 1 - 10
Dec. 11 - 20
Dec. 21 - 31
Nov. 1 - 10
Nov. 11 - 20
Nov. 21 - 30
Oct. 1 - 10
Oct. 11 - 20
Oct. 21 - 31
Sept. 1 - 10
Sept. 11 - 20
Sept. 21 - 30
Aug. 1 - 10
Aug. 11 - 20
Aug. 21 - 31
July 1 - 10
July 11 - 20
July 21 - 31
June 1 - 10
June 11 - 20
June 21 - 30
May 1 - 10
May 11 - 20
May 21 - 31
April 1 - 10
April 11 - 20
April 21 - 30
March 1 - 10
March 11 - 20
March 21 - 31
