From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Thursday 19th June):
Birth
1948. Nick Drake born in Rangoon, Burma.
On Politics
1984. Michael Jackson is denounced by the Kremlin for having sold out his black roots and being a puppet of the Reagan administration.
In Custody
1990. Adam Franklin (Swervedriver) is arrested and charged with causing an affray after an incident with a bouncer after the band’s gig at London’s Borderline Club which leaves him with several broken teeth and facial bruising. He spends a night in police cells before being released in the morning. Due to his injuries he can barely speak. As a result the band cancel the rest of their U.K. tour.
In The Press
1976. Seventeen year old scribe, Steven Morrissey hits the big time when he gets a letter published in Melody Maker and New Musical Express about The Sex Pistols concert on June 4th in Manchester. Here’s the letter:
“I PEN this epistle after witnessing the infamous Sex Pistols ‘in concert’ at the Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall. The bumptious Pistols in jumble sale attire had those few that attended dancing in the aisles despite their discordant music and barely audible audacious lyrics, and they were called back for two encores. The Pistols boast no inspiration from the New York / Manhattan rock scene, yet their set includes “I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone” a number believed to be done almost to perfection by the Heartbreakers on any sleazy New York night, and the Pistols’ vocalist/exhibitionist Johnny Rotten’s attitude and self-asserted “love us or leave us” approach can be compared to both Iggy Pop and David JoHansen in their heyday.
Not to mention the fact that the Pistol’s manager is the legendary Malcolm MacClaren who has had close connections with the New York Dolls. The Sex Pistols are very New York and it’s nice to see that the British have produced a band capable of producing atmosphere created by the N.Y. Dolls and their many imitators, even though it may be too late. I’d love to see the Pistols make it. Maybe then they will be able to afford some clothes which don’t look as though they’ve been slept in.” - STEVE MORRISEY, Stretford, Manchester
On Television
1980. Musikladen (ZDF, Germany) 54. A la Carte - Do wah diddy diddy; Gibson Brothers - Mariana; The Days - Teacher, teacher; Oscar Harris - Song for the children; Matchbox - Midnite dynamos; Jona Lewie - Kitchen at parties; Jimmy Ruffin - Hold on to my love; Paul McCartney - Coming up (Video); Pretenders - Brass in pocket; Marianne Faithful - Broken English; Roxy Music - Over you; Lipps Inc. - Funkytown; Johnny Cash - Sunday morning coming down (Oldie: 1972); Showaddywaddy - Always & ever. Here’s Marianne Faithful.
Death
2002. Frank “Skip” Candelon, ex-lead singer of Turning Point is found dead in his New Jersey home from a suspected drug overdose. The event is announced by the band’s web site which also says, “the family wishes the details of Skip’s death to remain private”.
Babble
I’ve finally got some of Rockmine’s music film posters up for sale on-line. They’ve been sitting in drawers and portfolios since they were last taken to a memorabilia/record fair in Paris back in 1995! They’re all originals, sent out to cinemas to promote the movie. Here are direct links to them:
From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Sunday 15th June):
Birth
1943. Johnny Hallyday born Jean-Phillipe Smets in Paris, France.
On The High Seas
1989. Rick Parfitt (Status Quo) has to be rescued from his boat in the English Channel after it runs out of fuel and drifts for two hours.
In Court
1995. Snoop Doggy Dogg appears at a pre-trial hearing in Los Angeles. His lawyers ask Judge Paul Flynn to dismiss the murder charges against the rapper after the prosecution admit that key items of evidence have been accidentally destroyed by a police officer. The judge tells the defence the trial will go ahead and the prosecution will have to explain to a jury why the evidence was destroyed. As yet no date has been set for the trial.
In Hospital Beds
1987. 30 hired hands move 800 rented National Health Service beds onto Saunton Sands in North Devon for Storm Thorgerson to shoot the cover of Pink Floyd’s next album, “A Momentary Lapse Of Reason”. He had tried in Los Angeles but hadn’t been able to get the type of beds he wanted.
On Television
1973. The Midnight Special, (NBC, U.S.A.) 21. Host: Jim Croce. Guests: Little Anthony and the Imperials; Savoy Brown; Barbara Fairchild; Shawn Phillips; Wishbone Ash; Bobby Womack. Here’s the wonderful Jim Croce with, “I Got A Name”.
Death
1968. Guitarist Wes Mongomery dies of a heart attack in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Babble
Well, I’ve missed the blogs for the last two days. I was up in Elgin on Friday morning and never had the time to get online. Blame a dodgy connection! How anyone manages with BT HomeHub amazes me. I was sitting looking at a dead Safari window for ages. Anyway, I’m ranting again. I left there at lunchtime to drive down to perth and then on to Peebles in the Scottish borders. It’s becoming a bit of a habit. I was down there last year for “An Audience With Bill Wyman” and this time I was heading there for Bob Dylan. Yes, Peebles! Sleepy border town and Bob Dylan. I kid you not.
The event was a private view for “The Drawn Blank Series” at one of only two galleries in Scotland taking part in the release of the limited edition collections of Dylan’s work. The art was originally created while Dylan was undertaking the “Never Ending Tour” of 1989 - 1992.
Breeze Gallery in Peebles pulled out all the stops with a champagne reception to launch the exhibition and it paid off for them. The atmosphere was easy and relaxed, with those attending chatting about the artwork on show and the life of Bob himself. Not long after the start, an array of red dots started to appear next to the framed and glazed pieces which added to the excitement. By the time I left, most of the items on the walls had been sold. There were also portfolio sets of images that seemed to be drawing a lot of interest but with the complete boxed collection selling for £ 33,900 I’d be surprised if that went on the preview night.
The gallery’s owner, Bob Corsie, pictured here, put on a great show and did his utmost to make everyone feel welcome and fully informed. Another great evening in Peebles and a triumph for the Gallery. Well done!
From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Thursday 8th May):
Birth
1911. Blues legend Robert Johnson born Robert Leroy Johnson in Hazelhurst, Mississippi to Julia Ann Dodds. The father, Noah Johnson, is an itinerant field hand. The parents never married as Julia, while separated from her husband Charles Dodds, was still married.
On Tour
1989. 150 fans without tickets are stranded outside W.A.S.P.’s concert at the Ulster Hall, Belfast. The Royal Ulster Constabulary is called and 11 fans are arrested after starting to riot
In Court
1998. The High Court in London orders that the master tapes of a projected live album featuring The Beatles at the Star Club in Hamburg be returned to the group. During the three day hearing, George Harrison gave evidence describing the tapes as some of “the crummiest” he’d heard.
In Church
1978. Donny Osmond (20), marries 19 year old college student Debra Glenn at the Mormon Temple in Salt lake City. The couple met at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where Donny was taking some classes.
On Television
2003. Late Show With David Letterman (CBS, U.S.A.) Show #1980. Marilyn Manson in conversation with Letterman.
Death
1974. Graham Bond dies when he throws himself under an underground train in London. It takes police two days to identify the body.
Babble
I found a goldmine of information yesterday that got me really excited. Whilst trying to organize a memorabilia exhibition at what was the Two Red Shoes in Elgin, I went looking for some adverts for the gigs that took place there. One of the current owners of the venue told me about a local Heritage Centre just a few streets away. Although I had very little time, I couldn’t resist a quick visit. Half an hour later I came out with photocopies of the advert for The Beatles first gig on their first tour of Scotland (under that name) and the ad, from another paper, for Pink Floyd’s gig on July 20, 1967. Despite that, and a mention in the paper’s pop column, only 12 people turned up!
The ads were taken from microfiche so need some cleaning up but here’s the one for Pink Floyd. It amazes me that even for a gig on a Thursday night, the promoter had laid on buses to bring fans in from surrounding areas. 8/6 (approx 43p) for a 4 hour hour show with two bands, what a great deal!
From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Tuesday 6th May):
Birth
1942. Colin Earl (Mungo Jerry) born in London, England.
On Tour
1966. The Who start an Irish tour which includes Dublin’s National Stadium. Republican groups warn the band they are liable to be blown up if they take the stage wearing their customary Union Jack jackets. Luckily the band have ordered new jackets in the green, gold and white of the Irish flag. Police take the threats seriously enough to guard the group onstage and off.
In Court
1997. A judge in Newark, New Jersey grants an injunction filed by a lawyer acting for Marilyn Manson, Ozzy Osbourne and the promoters of Ozzfest that should force the Meadowlands Arena to allow the sale of tickets for the upcoming festival. The arena had refused to sell tickets or allow the show to go ahead unless Marilyn Manson was removed from the bill. There has been no announcement as to when tickets will be made available but its thought that Meadowlands will appeal.
In Politics
1993. The Newbury bi-election to the British parliament is held. One of the candidates, Colin Palmer, standing for the 21st Century Party has based his political beliefs on the work of Pink Floyd. He is not elected.
On Television
1979. Rockpalast (WDR, Germany) Rory Gallagher; Frankie Miller & Band (Maifestspiele Wiesbaden). Here’s Rory with “Last Of The Independents”, a brief taste of just how brilliant the man was. Watch out for the bottleneck playing near the end and his fingerwork during it. This is electric blues guitar at its very best!
Death
1969. Don Drummond (The Skatalites) dies in Bellevue Asylum, Kingston, Jamaica.
From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Sunday 4th May):
Birth
1949. Zal Cleminson (Sensational Alex Harvey Band) born in Glasgow, Scotland.
On Tour
1974. Taking an after show breather after a gig in Farnborough, Hampshire, The Troggs are attacked by a group of Hell’s Angels who break into their dressing room armed with a knife and broken bottles. Guitarist Richard Moore is stabbed several times in the back, piercing a lung. He is later rushed to hospital in a serious condition. Ronnie Bond (who’s celebrating his 31st birthday today) is slightly luckier as he’s stabbed only once, in the neck. Reg Presley sustains a broken nose and Tony Murray has his right hand badly gashed by a broken bottle.
In Court
1993. Gerald Jackman, a 23 year old Canadian musician, is charged with extortion following threats by phone and letter that he would kill the members of Pink Floyd unless he received $ 2.2 million from the band’s manager Steve O’Rourke. A spokesman for the Metropilitan Police in London said the band discounted the threat at first until Jackman obtained their unlisted private telephone numbers. Then the matter was handed over to the police.
In The Studio
1964. Eric Clapton gets his first job as a session guitarist at Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London. He records two tracks for Otis Spann (”Pretty Girls Everywhere” and “Stirs Me Up”) playing lead guitar with Muddy Waters playing rhythm.
On Television
1984. Rockpalast (WDR, West Germany) The Smiths (Markthalle Hamburg). Here they are with “Hand In Glove” and “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now”.
Death
1992. Dudu Zulu (real name Dudu Mntowaziwayo Ndlovu), percussionist and vocalist for Johnny Clegg & Savuka dies from a gunshot wound in Zululand, South Africa, aged 33.
From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Friday 2nd May):
Birth
1946. Leslie Gore (”It’s My Party”) born in Tenafly, New Jersey.
On Stage
1989. Stiv Bators announces the end of The Lords Of The New Church on stage at London’s Astoria. He’d found out that while he was in Paris recovering from a back injury, the rest of the band had placed ads in the press looking for a new singer. When they came back out for their encore, Bators was wearing a t-shirt with the ad printed across the front and calmly told the audience he was disbanding the group then and there.
In Court
2000. LeAnn Rimes files a lawsuit in Dallas County District Court against her father, Wilbur Rimes and former co-manager, Lyle Walker. The suit alleges that over a period of several years the two men stole more than $ 7 million. The scam was seemingly discovered last year when a firm of accountants were brought in by LeAnn’s mother, Belinda, to audit the accounts.
In Government
1980. South African authorities ban Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” as being “prejudicial to the safety of the state”. School children adopt the single “Another Brick In The Wall” as a protest song against the poor quality of the education system.
On Television
1995. Later… With Jools Holland (BBC-2, U.K.) First show of series 5. Courtney Love & Hole - “Doll Parts”; “When he Hit Me, it Felt Like A Kiss”, “Violet”; The Mavericks - “What A Crying Shame”, “I Should have been True”; Dionne Farris - “I Know”, “Reality”; Massive Attack - “Karmacoma”, “Better Things (+ Everything But The Girl)”; Marianne Faithfull - “Love, Life and Money”, “The Stars Line Up”. Here are The Mavericks. Sorry about the quality!
Death Of A Dream
2001. Fans of rapper “Big Pun” who’ve petitioned Bronx City Council in New York, have their hopes dashed when the decision is made not to rename an intersection after him. At a meeting today, a council committee voted down the proposal to rename the intersection of 163rd Street and Rogers Place, Big Pun Place, saying it objected to the profanity and references to violence and drug dealing in the rapper’s lyrics
From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Friday 11th April):
Birth
1956. Neville Staples (The Specials / Fun Boy Three) born Christiana, Jamaica.
On Stage
1961. After playing for free for two weeks in March, Bob Dylan plays his first professional gig at Gerde’s Folk City, New York where he’ll support John Lee Hooker for the next two weeks. As he was under age when he was hired, the club’s owner, Mike Porco became his temporary guardian to enable a contract to be drawn up.
In Court
1988. Cher files a $ 15 million lawsuit against the “National Enquirer” over an article alleging a dispute with actor Eddie Murphy.
In Hospital
1995. Genesis P. Orridge (Psychic TV) suffers broken ribs, wrist and elbow when he climbs out of a window at Rick Rubin’s Laurel Canyon home to escape a fire. He is there as a guest of Love & Rockets who are staying at the producer’s house while they record their new album. The fire is later found to have been an accident.
On Television
1966. Hullabaloo (NBC, U.S.A.) Host: Paul Anka. Guests: Lesley Gore, Paul Anka, The Cyrkle, Peter and Gordon.
Death
1988. Dave Prater (Sam & Dave) dies in a car crash on Interstate 75 near Sycamore, Georgia.
Daily Babble.
I’m away from the office again! So I’m leaving the almanac extract until I get back. I’m just going to do my babble for now, while things are still in my head.
I came north to Elgin with two tasks in mind. One was to look at an autographed postcard that John Lennon and Yoko Ono had signed whilst on holiday in Scotland in 1969. Although I thought I might end up selling it on commission for the owner, it didn’t happen. He’s planning an extension to his house and wanted £ 4,500 for the autograph to cover the costs. C’est la vie!
The other task was to go and visit one of the hallowed halls of Scottish rock music. A venue that has over the years played host to The Beatles, Pink Floyd and almost anyone else worth mentioning. It used to be called the Two Red Shoes and reopened last year as The Red Shoes. It’s a small, intimate arts centre now offering everything from tuition, through theatre to live gigs and even on a dreich spring night was well attended.
I went, still smarting from my exhibition visit in Edinburgh, vaguely wondering if there was scope for an exhibition of rock memorabilia there. By the time I left, we had largely agreed we’d do it. All that needs to be settled is when and which of the hanging spaces we use.
The idea is so simple and yet it really excites me. To have images hanging on walls where the greats have played. Walls that have echoed to the guitars of John Lennon and Syd Barrett and the voices of Dusty Springfield and scores of others who plied their trade around the gig circuit of the 1960s. What better place to stage an exhibition?
One of the current owners pointed out this was where “Love Me Do” was launched. A fact that I can’t confirm but will follow up. Maybe this is where Beatlemania first began, out in the real world, away from the security of The Cavern and the Liverpool Scene the band had dominated for years.
I was talking about blue sky thinking yesterday and one idea I’ve had for years but never done anything about is a “Rockmine Plaque” for places of great historical import in rock music. I was trying to think, where the other seminal Scottish venues are. Glasgow’s great Apollo has long since gone. Would King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut deserve a plaque. Or should the fact that Oasis were “discovered” there be forgotten?
Then there are the birth places of stars and companies. Should a plaque be affixed to the building that housed Postcard Records, or the flat’s front door, or even the actual bedroom where the label was based in a wardrobe. There’s certainly lots to think about. Your comments would be appreciated.
I have to apologize for the lack of the usual blog but although I came prepared, life on tour in Egypt has left me with no time to add my usual music facts. Don’t worry, I will be adding them when I get home which will be tomorrow night.
As I haven’t done the usual extract from the almanac, I thought it would be nice to share some pyramid pics with you. After all, The Grateful Dead played here and Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side Of The Moon” features the pyramids on the enclosed stickers. So here goes:
This was the first image I took on arrival and just seemed to be a perfect illustration of Egypt. The camel’s rider is a fully armed policeman!
The pharoahs believed that a Sun Boat that took them on their voyage to the afterlife. This one was found hidden in three holes in the ground and carefully reassembled.
I’ve been on horses before but I have to own up to never having been on a camel before. This was him, my trusty sand steed. In case you wonder, I didn’t check it was a him but was told that all female camels are used for breeding and food only. They won’t put up with having anyone on top! This one was fairly steady but his personal habits left a lot to be desired.
Here I am trying my own “Dark Side” shot - but with 4 pyramids. Cairo’s almost visible behind through the haze.
Talking of camels as food, The Egypt Daily News for today has a great story on its front page: “Cairo donkey butchers caught red-handed”. It goes on to say that, “Two Cairo butchers have been arrested for allegedly passing off donkey, cat and dog carcasses as beef, a security official told AFP on Monday.”
I know it’s April Fool’s Day but I think this is probably a Halal story as they say!
Talking of the security forces, here’s the Tourist Police box at the pyramids.
From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Monday 25th February):
Birth
1957. Stewart “Woody” Wood (The Bay City Rollers) born in Edinburgh, Scotland.
On Tour
1995. Freak Power are stopped by police at the border between Eire and Northern Ireland. They’re asked if they’re carrying any drugs and foolishly answer “yes”. They’re ordered off their bus and strip-searched while sniffer dogs search it. 22 grammes of cannabis are found on the bus and five tabs of LSD are discovered wrapped in toilet paper between singer Astley Slater’s buttocks. The band is charged with importing drugs. They’re later fined £ 50 at a court hearing in Belfast.
In Court
1971. At the High Court in London, Mr. Morris Finer, Q.C., concludes his reading of Allen Klein’s affidavit. In it, Klein stated that, on February 9th, The Beatles were worth more than £ 6.5 million whereas at the end of 1968, they were worth £ 1 million. The affidavit was supporting the opposition by George Harrison, John Lennon and Ringo Starr to Paul McCartney’s claim that a receiver should be appointed pending legal break-up of the group.
In Church
1980. Pete Briquette (The Boomtown Rats) marries American singer Jane Aire in Black Rock, Dublin.
On Television
1968. In an interview with the B.B.C.’s “Personal Choice”, Marianne Faithfull admitted taking drugs after the breakdown of her marriage. She said she was looking for something and drugs were like “the doors of perception”. Unfortunately, the door never opened for Marianne as she went on to say, “You just see a crack”. She told her interviewer, Michael Barrett, that she no longer took drugs.
Death
1993. Toy Caldwell (The Marshall Tucker Band) dies in a car crash.
Music Paper From Today
Sounds from 25th February 1978 featuring Geddy Lee of Rush on the cover. This is a copy taken from Rockmine’s almost complete run of U.K. music papers from the last 45 years.
From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Saturday 23rd February):
Birth
1958. David Sylvian (Japan) born David Batt in London, England.
In Custody
1999. Oasis guitarist Bonehead (real name Paul Arthurs) is arrested for being drunk and disorderly at a star studded party in Tommy Hilfinger’s shop in London’s fashionable New Bond Street. At 11.30 p.m., security staff at the store called a passing policeman to help deal with Bonehead who was shouting and swearing. The policeman asked the guitarist to leave the area but he refused to do so and continued his disturbance of the event. He was then arrested and taken to a nearby police station. Bonehead was not charged but received a formal warning over his conduct prior to being released at 4.30 a.m. the next morning.
In Court
1971. All four of The Beatles appear before Mr. Justice Stamp at the High Court in London to give their versions of what prompted the break-up of their partnership. Ringo Starr said that although he respected and trusted Paul McCartney, he sometimes “behaved like a spoilt child”. He described the reaction to news that Paul’s solo album would be delayed until after the release of his own, saying Paul went “completely out of control”. “He shouted at me, prodding his fingers towards my face and said, “I’ll finish you, now!” adding “He told me to put my coat on and get out, so I did”.
At The Opera
1967. Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull cause a scandal when they arrive eight minutes late for a performance at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden. Already present is a member of Britain’s Royal Family, Princess Margaret, and etiquette dictates that no-one else should be admitted after she is seated.
Death
1995. Original Temptations member, Melvin Franklin (real name David English) dies, aged 52, in Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles from complications connected to his brain seizures. He had been admitted to the hospital on February 17th after suffering a seizure but never regained consciousness.
Music Paper From Today
Sounds from 23rd February 1974. A copy taken from Rockmine’s almost complete run of U.K. music papers from the last 45 years.
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