From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Saturday 5th July):
Birth
1950. Andy Ellison (John’s Children) born in Leatherhead, Surrey.
On Tour
1966. President Ferdinand Marcos of The Philipines makes an official statement expressing regret at the treatment received by The Beatles when they left Manila earlier today. The moptops were shoved, kicked, spat at and told to “go to Hell” by Philipinos incensed at the group’s treatment of their president’s wife. They had been expected to visit the Presidential Palace between concerts but were unaware of any arrangements. At the airport, they were given no assistance with their luggage and escalators were turned off. Their flight was then delayed by 45 minutes while Brian Epstein was forced to settle a £ 6,600 tax bill for the two concerts. All this shortly after he had been knocked to the ground and kicked in a scuffle.
In Custody
1975. Keith Richards and Ron Wood are arrested along with aide Fred Sessler by the Arkansas Highway Patrol. Keith is questioned about carrying a concealed weapon, his swiss-army knife. He and Ron (who’s done nothing) are released on bail of $ 162. Sessler, unfortunately, is found to be in possession of a quantity of cocaine. He is released on bail of $ 5,000.
In Hospital
1980. Bad Manners‘ gig at the Electric Ballroom in London’s Camden turns nasty. At one point a member of the audience jumps onstage and tries to stab Douglas Trendle (a.k.a. Buster Bloodvessel). Before he has a chance to strike, Louis “Alphonso” Cook kicks him off the stage. Unfortunately, before the gig is over, a member of the audience is stabbed in the kidneys.
On Television
1975. Disco (ZDF, West Germany) 55. George Baker Selection - Paloma blanca; Demis Roussos - Schön wie Mona Lisa; Peter, Sue + Marc - In den Straßen von Belfast; Costa Cordalis - Es stieg ein Eingel vom Olymp; David Cassidy - Get it up for love; Marianne Rosenberg - Er gehört zu mir; Kenny - Fancy pants - and here they are!
Death
1998. Folk singer and broadcaster Danny Kyle dies in hospital in Paisley, Scotland aged 58.
From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Monday 30th June):
Birth
1951. Andy Scott (Sweet) born in Wrexham, Wales.
On Tour
1973. After two days of fans besieging the Holiday Inn in London’s Swiss Cottage, London, where Slade are staying, the manager orders the band to leave. They refuse to go. Word of the expulsion reaches the fans outside, who nearly riot at the news. Eventually the band are allowed to stay another two days and peace is restored.
In Custody
1976. Neil Diamond is bust for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana after police with a search warrant raid his California home.
In Hospital
1977. Dave Vanian (The Damned) needs hospital treatment after suffering a dislocated shoulder when he and the rest of the band are attacked by anti-punk yobs in the dressing room after their gig at The Garden in Penzance.
It’s not the only attack on a punk band tonight. Bob Geldof is attacked onstage during The Boomtown Rats gig at The Music Machine in London’s Camden. He was hit with such force that he was very nearly knocked off the stage which is 20 feet above the audience. He completed the gig with a swollen and bloody face but didn’t seek treatment. His attacker was caught but Geldof didn’t press charges.
Recent Punk gigs have been marred by violent attacks which some say are being stirred up by the press.
On Television
1965. Shindig (ABC, U.S.A.) The Blossoms, Glen Campbell, Chad & Jeremy, Jerry Lee Lewis, Donna Loren, The Righteous Brothers, Bobby Sherman, The Wellingtons, Jackie Wilson. Here’s the closing duet from Jerry Lee Lewis and Jackie Wilson with “Whole Lotta Shakin’”
Death
2002. Legendary Motown drummer, Howard Richard “Pistol” Allen dies after a long battle with cancer aged 69. Although working as a jazz drummer before he was hired by Berry Gordy in 1962, Allen seemed perfectly at home as a session player behind most of the label’s classic songs. They included “Baby Love” by The Supremes, “Heat Wave” by Martha Reeves and The Vandellas and “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” by Marvin Gaye.
From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Sunday 29th June):
Birth
1943. Roger Ruskin Spear (The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band) born in London, England.
In Custody
1999. 70’s teen pop pin-up Leif Garrett (currently with Godspeed) is arrested in downtown Los Angeles and charged with possessing cocaine and heroine.
In Court
1982. Helen Reddy files for divorce from her husband and manager, Jeffrey Wald, for the second time in 17 months. The new suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court cites irrenconcilable differences - sufficient grounds for divorce under Californian law. The previous divorce petition, filed in February 1981, was withdrawn after only three days. The 39 year old singer said at that time she’d “been too hasty”.
In Business
1981. Gary Numan forms his own airline - Numanair. The company trading under that name is initially called Birspin Limited but changes its name to Numanair Limited on 31st December 1981. Companies House shows the nature of business as “scheduled air transport”.
On Television
1994. Late Show With David Letterman (CBS, U.S.A.) Show #0187. Musical guest are Green Day with their national TV debut. Here they are with, “Basketcase”.
Death
1975. Tim Buckley dies of a heroin overdose in Santa Monica, California.
Babble
It’s that time of year again when I dig my green wellies out of the garden shed, fill a paddling pool with mud and settle down in the cinema room to take in all the ambience of Glastonbury. I figure if the sand pit worked for Brian Wilson, then this is my way of truly catching the vibe of one of the greatest rock festivals.
My big trouble is that this year, I’m ambivalent about the whole thing. I found myself wondering whether Gilbert O’Sullivan would be any good; and as I type this Neil Diamond is performing “Cracklin’ Rosie” to the assembled horde. Now, don’t get me wrong, I think Diamond had one of the best voices in 20th Century popular music but he also recorded some dross. So what on earth is he doing here?
I know that question opens up a huge debate about the relevance of one-time-greats. Maybe it’s unfair of me to demand that I’m excited by the work of one time heroes but I do. I want to be thrilled, challenged and shaken-up by what people are capable of but I repeatedly find myself longing for someone new and different to come up and startle me.
The one act I’m looking forward to is Leonard Cohen but I’m scared that he’ll disappoint in much the same way as all the other legends on retirement or divorce tours. My other great concern is that festival goers now seem able to take in every act with the same level of near-hysteria, regardless of who happens to be onstage. This opens another contentious debate that many of today’s music fans are not in fact fans of music but rather event fans.
One of today’s papers was quoting a nearby farm that was offering luxury accommodation, wellies, all meals and festival tickets for a mere £ 7,000 a head! You’d either have to really love a couple of the bands performing or just want the Glastonbury experience itself to consider that.
Maybe I’m too jaded and too much of a cynic but I’d much rather pay seven grand and get a half decent band to come round and play in my garden for just me and a few friends. Maybe that’s how the festival experience will evolve - private garden parties with guest tickets changing hands for thousands of pounds for a chance to hang out with the band before and after. Who knows…
1948. John Martyn born in Moscow, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
In Custody
2003. Rapper DMX is arrested on obscenity charges after swearing onstage during the St Kitts Music Festival. The rapper claims that he has video taped evidence that an agreement was reached before his set that songs that contained swear words were acceptable providing no ad-libbed swearing was added between songs. After the arrest, DMX’s manager announced that unless festival promoters issued a public apology to the media he would consider legal action against them.
In Court
2001. Eminem appears in a Michigan courtroom for sentencing, following his “no contest” plea last month to the charge of brandishing a semi-automatic gun. The incident happened during an argument with Douglas Dahl of Detroit rap group Insane Clown Posse.
Circuit Judge Denise Langford Morris, presiding, could have jailed Eminem for a maximum of 5 years in prison. Appearing under his real name of Marshall Mathers III, the rapper testified the gun was not loaded and witnesses said he didn’t point it at anyone. Judge Morris said she’d received suggestions for a suitable sentence including washing his mouth out with soap and ordering him to write a clean song but in the end she gave him one year probabtion, a $ 2,300 fine and a community service order. Quoting a line from “The Real Slim Shady”, she told the rapper, “Now is the time for you to please stand up”.
In Hospital
1997. One girl dies and more than 300 fans are injured during the hometown gig by Die Toten Hosen at the football stadium in Dusseldorf. More than 60,000 attended the gig which was to celebrate the band’s 1,000th show. Also on the line-up were Bad Religion, Goldfinger and The Leningrad Cowboys.
Twenty minutes into the band’s set, the crowd surged towards the stage. Dozens of fans were pulled unconscious from the mosh pit but although paramedics were on hand, they were unable to resuscitate one. Die Toten Hosen (which means The Dead Pants) stopped the show and urged the crowd to move back. Authorities fearing a riot if the show was stopped, told the band to finish their set. A day later, thirty fans were still being treated in hospital.
On Television
1969. Beat Club (WDR, West Germany) 44: Caravan, Brian Poole & the Seychelles, Flirtations, Marsha Hunt, Procol Harum, Richie Havens, Keef Hartley, The Searchers, Family Dogg, 3 Dog Night, Dave Dee & Co, Ohio Express, Amen Corner. Here’s Keef Hartley with “Waiting Around”
Death
1992. Punk turned goth guitarist Rob Graves, real name Rob Ritter, (ex Gun Club) dies from a heroin overdose in New York City.
From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Monday 23rd June):
Birth
1962. Richard Coles (The Communards) born in Northampton, England.
In Custody
2003. Norwegian rockers TurboNegro run into trouble at Stuttgart airport, when they’re stopped for Arms smuggling. On their way through security before flying home to Oslo, an 18-inch knife was spotted in their luggage. Despite saying it was a stage prop, security officials wouldn’t accept it. The police took over and as they refused to arrest the whole band, one of the crew, named only as Trond took responsibility and was taken to jail. He was released later in the day having paid a fine.
In Court
1997. The trial in Michigan resulting from the murder of Motown songwriter Arthur Ross (Diana’s brother) and his wife Patricia Ann Robinson-Ross collapses after a key prosecution witness disappears. The man charged with their murder, Ricky Vernon Brooks is aquitted. The bodies of Ross and his wife were found at Brooks’ house on the outskirts of Detroit. Brooks maintained that he was not involved in suffocating the couple who had borrowed the house for a drug deal. Ross was facing trial resulting from drugs charges at the time of his death.
On The Road
2000. Sir Paul McCartney drops his rock & roll lifestyle to become chauffeur for the day. He donned a grey suit to drive his second cousin, Sally Harris to her wedding at a civil ceremony in Wallasey, Merseyside.
On Television
1965. Shindig (ABC, U.S.A.) Opening medley (song excerpts): Willy Nelson - “Long Tall Sally”; David Crosby and Roger McGuinn (of The Byrds) - “Long Tall Sally”; Righteous Brothers - “Sticks and Stones”; TheKingsmen, Billy Preston - “Good Golly Miss Molly”; The Byrds - “Not Fade Away”; Willy Nelson - “Jump Back”; Micki Lynn - “Crazy ’bout My Baby”; The Stoneman Family - “Lost Ball in the High Weeds”; Melinda Marx - “Is That What I Get for Loving You?” (Groucho’s daughter); The Kingsmen - “Louie, Louie”; Billy Preston - “Hey Hey Hey Hey”; Willy Nelson - “Shout”; Micki Lynn - “Old Landmark”; Dave Berry - “The Crying Game”; Adam Faith - “Message to Martha”; Jody Miller - “Queen of the House”; The Righteous Brothers - “Burn On Love”; The Byrds - “Mr. Tambourine Man; The Stoneman Family - “Big Ball In Monterey”; Dave Berry - “One Heart Between Two”; The Righteous Brothers - “Poison Ivy”; Jody Miller - “Saved”; Jean King (one of the Blossoms) - “Why Did I Choose You?”; The Everly Brothers - “I’ll Never Get Over You”; Finale: The Kingsmen - “Do the Climb”. According to my records, this is show 42, not 41 as stated on YouTube but I’m not complaining. You’ll find the whole hour-long show here in ten minute sections. Take the time to watch it all, it’s a fascinating glimpse of one of the best 60’s pop shows.
Death
1997. Swedish pop star Ted Gardestad dies aged 41. He had represented the country in the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest. Despite having retired from the music biz in the ‘eighties, he made a successful comeback in 1995.
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 (Monday 16th June):
Birth
1941. Motown songwriter/producer Lamont Dozier (Holland, Dozier and Holland) born in Detroit, Michigan.
In Politics
1998. A Senate hearing is held into the effectiveness of album warning stickers. Senators chaired by Sam Brownback heard evidence that the 13 year old charged with killing five people in the Jonesboro shootings in March was known to be a fan of Tupac Shakur and Bone Thugz-N-Harmony. The only evidence given on behalf of the music industry was from Krist Novoselic (ex-Nirvana). The hearing is the second one into lyrical content that Senator Brownback has presided over but it’s not thought this will lead to legislation.
In Court
1998. A jury in Los Angeles awards Genesis P. Orridge $ 1,572,000 in damages against producer Rick Rubin for the injuries he received during a fire at Rubin’s Laurel Canyon home on April 11, 1995. He also receives a further $ 250,000 in pre-judgement interest that has accrued since the start of the trial. In trying to escape the blaze, Orridge climbed out a window but broke his ribs, wrist and elbow. The elbow injury was so bad that he’s been unable to play guitar since. Rubin had tried to counter sue Orridge and Love & Rockets who were occupying the house at the time but the jury found that neither was liable for the fire which was accidental.
In The Mail
1993. The U.S. Postal Service issues a series of seven stamps featuring blues and rock legends. They are Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Clyde McPhatter, Elvis Presley (different from the the stamp issued last year), Otis Redding, Richie Valens and Dina Washington.
On Television
1989. Late Night With David Letterman, (CBS, U.S.A.) Show #1158. Musical guest: Robyn Hitchcock - “Madonna Of The Wasps”.
Death
1982. James Honeyman-Scott (The Pretenders) is found dead at a friend’s flat in London. The 28 year old guitarisr, who had just returned from a holiday in the U.S.A., died in his sleep. A post-mortem carried out on the body later will show that he died as the result of a drug overdose.
From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Monday 9th June):
Birth
1929. Johnny Ace born John Marshall Alexander Jnr. in Memphis, Tennessee.
On Tour
1979. The Fakes appearance at Cumbernauld’s Leisure Centre is cancelled when janitors discover the band have smuggled beer into the building. Their support band, Razor Cuts are allowed to go on but Fakes’ manager Billy McChord kicks them off stage and forces his band on. He gets arrested, as does vocalist Johnny McGuire when he protests to police. While all this is going on, someone steals all the band’s hired gear.
In Court
1980. Bianca Jagger (32) appears at a short hearing in the Family Division of The High Court in London before Mr. Justice Evesham. The half-hour hearing, before the same judge that granted her divorce decree, from Mick Jagger, seven months ago, concerned a financial settlement. No details have been made available.
In Hospital (nearly!)
1997. Gavin Rossdale, is hit by a glass bottle whilst onstage with Bush at the California Expo Amphitheatre in Sacramento. The bottle caught the singer on the bridge of the nose was knocked to the stage. The gig was stopped while other members of the band helped the bleeding Rossdale off stage. He was treated by paramedics at the scene and once the bleeding had stopped, returned to the stage.
On Television
1984. Aspel & Company (ITV, U.K.) 1. Guests include: Paul McCartney. This is the whole of the interview spread over two clips.
Death
1993. Soul singer and songwriter, Arthur Alexander dies from a heart attack.
Babble
Ok. I’ve finally got it! I’ve no idea what I’ve been doing wrong but the video clips for the last three days haven’t been embedding properly. They are now. So, if you missed Iron Maiden or Evanescence at Rock Am Ring 2003 or Robert Gordon from Rockpalast in 1978 just scroll down the page.
From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Saturday 7th June):
Birth
1957. Paddy McAloon (Prefab Sprout) born in Durham, England.
Heading Home
1978. Rod Stewart flies out of Argentina hours before Scotland’s World Cup match with Iran as he refuses to go to the stadium flanked by the armed bodyguards his management insists he employ. The action is prompted by an incident last weekend when gunmen robbed the Buenos Aires restaurant where the star was dining. One robber was killed in shooting during the raid and Rod narrowly escaped being hit. In a statement issued by his management, the superstar said he’ll return home and watch the remaining matches on TV.
In Court
2002. Philadelphia songwriters Michael Cottrill and Lawrence Wnukowski file a lawsuit at the U.S. District Court in their hometown claiming two songs on Britney Spears‘ second album, “Oops! … I Did It Again”, are based on a tune they wrote. The two men claim they submitted a track called “What You See Is What You Get” to one of Britney’s representatives in 1999 for possible inclusion on an album. Although their song was rejected, the men claim that two songs on Britney’s album, “Can’t Make You Love Me” and “What U See (Is What U Get)” are “virtually identical” to their original. As well as Britney, the lawsuit also names BMG Music Publishing, Jive Records, Wright Entertainment Group and Zomba Recording Corporation as defendants.
On The Run
1979. Honey Bane (real name Donna Tracy), the fifteen year old front person of The Fatal Microbes absconds from the St. Charles Youth Treatment Centre in Brentwood, Essex where she was placed, under a child care order, two and a half years ago.
On Television
2003. Rockpalast (WDR, Germany) Placebo; Audioslave; Evanescence; Stone Sour; Clawfinger; Dave Gahan; Stereophonics; Badly Drawn Boy; Turin Brakes; Tomte; The Ark; Saybia; Surrogat (Rock Am Ring, Nürburgring). Here’s Evanescence. This is the first part of their complete set and should link to the other six parts.
Death
1966. Claudette Orbison, Roy Orbison’s wife dies in a head-on motorcycle crash in front of him.
From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Friday, 6th June):
Birth
1944. Edgar Froese (Tangerine Dream) born in West Berlin.
On Tour
1975. The Movies are injured in a rail crash near Nuneaton on their journey from London to Glasgow to support Joan Armatrading. All the band members receive minor injuries but bass player, Durban Laverne undergoes surgery at Nuneaton Manor Hospital.
In Court
2002. Chris Gratton, tour manager for Limp Bizkit tells an inquest in Sydney, Australia that concert promoters were to blame for the death of a fifteen-year-old fan during a concert last year. Jessica Michalik died after suffering a heart attack during a crowd crush while Limp Biskit performed at the Big Day Out festival in Sydney on January 26, 2001.
Gratton said that the promoters failed to control the “absolute crowd mayhem” and that in 12 years on tour he had “never, ever seen something so frightful”. He went on to say that the death would have been avoided had promoters stopped the show but security staff did nothing when a crowd of 50 people collapsed yards from the stage.
The tour manager aslo rejected claims that the band’s front man, Fred Durst, aggravated and provoked the crowd by screaming obscenities at them. Durst is scheduled to give evidence on June 17th, via video link from Los Angeles.
In Church
1992. David Bowie and his wife Iman have their wedding blessed at a church service in Florence, Italy. They were married in a civil service last month.
On Television
2003. Rockpalast (WDR, Germany) Iron Maiden; Zwan; The Cardigans; Maná; Lifehouse; The Donnas; Murderdolls; Reamonn; Silverchair; The Hives; The Dandy Warhols; Die Happy; Blackmail; M.I.A; Joachim; Whyte Seeds (Rock Am Ring, Nürburgring). Here are Iron Maiden with, “The Clansman”.
Death
1991. Jazz saxophonist Stan Getz dies of liver cancer in Malibu, California, aged 64.
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