Monday, February 27, 2017

Rick Derringer Pleads Guilty To Bringing Loaded Gun On Airplane

Rick Derringer, who sang the 1965 hit "Hang on Sloopy" and later recorded "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo," has pleaded guilty and agreed to pay a $1,000 fine after stepping off a Delta Air Lines flight from Mexico with a loaded handgun in Atlanta's airport.

Derringer told a federal air marshal he kept his gun with him on commercial airline flights 30 to 50 times a year, and never before had a problem carrying it through airport checkpoints, prosecutors said.

TSA spokesman Mark Howell said earlier that the agency investigates such statements when it can, but there's no way to substantiate claims dating back years.

In 2015, some U.S. Congress members said fake weapons, explosives and other contraband went unnoticed in 67 out of 70 tries -- about 96 percent of the time -- at TSA airport checkpoints.

Derringer's plea this week involves a single charge: Carrying a Kel-Tec pistol on an airplane and in a secure area of Atlanta's airport on Jan. 9.

"It was just a mistake, a simple human mistake," said Kenn Moutenot, his manager and the drummer in The Rick Derringer Band. Nothing like it will happen again, "not even a water pistol," he said.

Air passengers are allowed to bring guns as checked baggage only. The unloaded firearms must be in locked, hard-sided containers that are declared to the airline when checked, according to the TSA. Ammunition also is prohibited in carry-on bags.

In addition to his own hits, Derringer has been a writer and producer, helping to shape the careers of Edgar Winter, Johnny Winter, Cyndi Lauper, Steely Dan and "Weird Al" Yankovic. He is embarking on a nationwide tour next month, Moutenot said.

Derringer is currently working on a remake of his 1980s song "Real American," which has been used as theme music by pro wrestler Hulk Hogan and presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump. He's hoping the new version and its music video will transcend politics and bring the nation together, Moutenot said.

Friday, February 24, 2017

Out Today: George Harrison's Autobiography, Vinyl Collections Celebrates Beatle Guitarist's 74th Birthday

Today (February 24), George Harrison's autobiography I Me Mine – The Extended Edition  (Genesis Publications) and George Harrison - The Vinyl Collection (UMe) box set featuring all of the musician’s solo studio albums in one collection are available today, the eve of what would have been his 74th birthday.

George Harrison’s I Me Mine was originally published by the specialist book publisher, Genesis Publications in 1980. It became the first of many collaborations between Harrison and Genesis founder, Brian Roylance. In conversation with his friend and former Beatles press officer Derek Taylor, and in a first-person commentary that accompanies his songs, Harrison's own words recount everything from his upbringing in Liverpool, to early Beatlemania, his spirituality and philosophy.

This new extended version of the book now spans the complete length of Harrison’s career in music, told in his words and through 141 songs with hand written lyric sheets faithfully reproduced in full color. Now stretching to 632 pages it features lyrics to more than 50 songs not previously included, as well as new photographs, many unpublished until now.

To commemorate the book’s release, Genesis Publications will be holding a pop-up exhibition and store at Shepard Fairey's Subliminal Projects, Los Angeles this Sunday, February 26.

The exhibition will include reproductions of George Harrison's handwritten lyrics and personal commentary on his songs, pictures from the family albums, and original portraits of Harrison by Shepard Fairey.  Rare limited editions on display will include: I Me Mine, Songs by George Harrison 1 and 2, Concert for George, Fifty Years Adrift and Live in Japan.

A special I Me Mine package has been created for the exhibition, consisting of the new book, a poster and book bag; the first 100 customers will receive copies signed by Shepard Fairey.

George Harrison - The Vinyl Collection includes all twelve of Harrison’s studio albums with exact replicas of the original release track listing and artwork. Also included in the box set are George’s classic live album Live In Japan (2LP), and two 12” single picture discs of "When We Was Fab" and "Got My Mind Set On You."

All the discs are 180-gram heavyweight vinyl and housed in a high-quality two-piece rigid slipcase box. The original analogue master tapes were used for the new re-masters and were cut at the legendary Capitol Studios to ensure exceptional audio quality throughout.  The individual albums from the collection will also be available separately, with All Things Must Pass as a limited edition title.

George Harrison - The Vinyl Collection vinyl LP box set contains:

Wonderwall Music (1968) | 1 LP
Electronic Sound (1969) | 1 LP
All Things Must Pass (1970) | 3 LP *limited edition piece
Living In The Material World (1973) | 1 LP
Dark Horse (1974) | 1 LP
Extra Texture (1975) | 1 LP
Thirty Three & 1/3 (1976) | 1LP
George Harrison (1979) | 1 LP
Somewhere in England (1981) | 1 LP
Gone Troppo (1982) | 1 LP
Cloud Nine (1987) | 1 LP
Live In Japan (1992) | 2 LP
Brainwashed (2002) | 1 LP
12” Picture Disc Singles of ‘When We Was Fab’ and ‘Got My Mind Set On You’ (only available as part of the box set)

Also available, the perfect companion for the vinyl set is the George Harrison Essential III  turntable. This elegant piece is manufactured and designed by Pro-Ject Audio Systems, one of the world’s leading suppliers of record players. The artwork was designed by Studio Number One based on an exclusive 2014 art-print lithograph designed for the Harrisons by Shepard Fairey. This turntable is limited to 2500 worldwide.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Musicians Fight Depositions in Legal Dispute Spanning Decades of Music History

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio is a nice visit, but for music aficionados looking to explore the business side of rock history, a trip to a New York federal courtroom might be more educational. There, some legends including the Rolling Stones' Keith Richards, Talking Heads' David Byrne, The Who's Pete Townshend and R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe have been popping up in recent months in the middle of massive copyright fight against a website boasting an impressive array of live recordings.

In 2015, the National Music Publishers Association led its members to file suit against William Sagan, who runs Wolfgang’s Vault, boasting what The Wall Street Journal once called "the most important collection of rock memorabilia and recordings ever assembled," valued in excess of $100 million.

Since the lawsuit was filed, Sagan's attorneys at Winston Strawn have attempted various tactics to battle claims Wolfgang’s Vault lacks the requisite licenses to stream an estimated two billion recorded concert performances. One of the first endeavors by Sagan was counterclaiming for defamation based on statements in a press release announcing the lawsuit. That didn't go well, but Sagan's lawyers are now up to something even more provocative.

The defendant is now prying into old agreements in the music business and demanding depositions with the overall goal of poking holes in the claim Wolfgang's lacks copyright authority. One of the main theories that Sagan's side is pursuing is that if musicians retained copyright to their works at the time of performance, and then agreed to a recording of their concerts, the musicians made an implied license for later use of the recordings. Sagan is also exploring issues ranging from possibly faulty copyright registrations to a lack of protest among the artists over the years to support affirmative defenses as well as limit damages in a case potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Michael Elkin and Erin Ranahan, the attorneys at Winston & Strawn, originally wanted to depose a few dozen rock stars, but after a hearing in December, they relented to five.

But those five aren't in a particularly cooperative mood and have been throwing up objections and motions to quash subpoenas. Most recently, for example, Stipe filed a petition in Georgia federal court to rule his testimony would be irrelevant given a songwriting agreement that transferred rights to an entity doing business as Night Garden Music before R.E.M. had its performances taped in 1983 and 1984.

Similarly, Richards and Byrne have each fought against depositions and submitted documents that presumably go into detail about the financial arrangements they have with publishers.

Although the documents are sealed, various court papers filed in connection with the fights over whether these stars will testify address some of what's come up. For example, the Rolling Stones' complicated history with ABKCO founder Allen Klein has been discussed as well as the various settlements between the band and publisher (which on a side note, might best explain why Mick Jagger couldn't get Donald Trump to stop using his songs). Richards' lawyer has stated that the agreements "conclusively demonstrates that ABKCO has been the owner of the copyrights in the Compositions since before the first Concert at issue in 1973," but defendants still have been demanding the right to test this as well as probe other topics including royalties paid.

There have been other skeletons from the rock closet arising in court papers.

For example, Ranahan wrote in December that "upon a closer investigation into Mr. Townsend's publishing rights, it became clear that Plaintiffs have not produced a copyright registration for any of those works, which makes statutory damages unavailable," though the other side came back with the argument that registration wasn't necessary because Who songs were foreign works.

As for Byrne, who like Stipe and Richards has maintained he properly transferred rights to a music publisher, defense lawyers have wanted to question him among other topics about potentially being the co-author of a "joint work," which they say would leave him free to exploit the copyright. Ranahan also wrote that a look at his co-publishing agreement gave Byrne the rights to license whatever composition he wanted. (Another side note, relevant or not to the case at hand, but it appears from U.S. Copyright Office records that Byrne has filed termination notices with the goal of reclaiming rights to iconic Talking Heads songs within the next two years.)

At a hearing on February 16, U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Pitman ruled that Richards and Byrne wouldn't be required to appear for a deposition, but that they would have to answer 25 written questions. Stipe's own motion to quash a subpoena is still pending.

The plaintiffs, represented by Barry Slotnick and other attorneys at Loeb & Loeb, are not taking all of this without making a move of their own. On Wednesday, the music publishers asked the judge's permission to add new allegations to their lawsuit over a new website, Wolfgangs.com, launched three months ago that is also streaming audio recordings and video footage.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Jefferson Starship Guitarist Craig Chaquico Reunited With Lost Les Paul Guitar

For Jefferson Starship guitarist and original founding member Craig Chaquico, "Find Your Way Back" has a whole new meaning some 35 years after writing, and performing on, the Billboard Top Ten single from the band's 1981 album, Modern Times.

It was a year ago this month that Chaquico informed his worldwide fans about his quest to retrieve his beloved 1959 Les Paul Sunburst guitar (9-2180) many thought was destroyed during a summer of 1978 fiery riot in Lorelei, Germany, right after it was announced that Jefferson Starship wouldn't be taking the stage that day as a result of singer Grace Slick not feeling well.

Fearing for their safety, the band members that were on site -- Chaquico, David Frieberg, and John Barbata -- quickly evacuated the area. Grace Slick, Paul Kantner, Marty Balin and Pete Sears were still at the hotel. Devout fans of the band know that their next show in Hamburg together would mark the last for this original lineup.

Almost all of the bands’ instruments and gear went missing during this riot, including Chaquico’s rare 1957 Les Paul Gold Top (still missing – Serial No. 7 8793 – played on the first two Jefferson Starship hit albums, Dragon Fly (1974) and Red Octopus (1975)), and this recently discovered ’59 Sunburst guitar that was near-and-dear to Chaquico's heart, as he used it on the platinum-selling Jefferson Starship albums, Spitfire (1976) and Earth (1978), and can be heard on such classic hits as "With Your Love," "Count on Me" and "Runaway" among others.

Part of the successful identification process which, without the serial number, included Chaquico going through thousands of high-resolution photos in the vast archives of Roger Ressmeyer who was a key band photographer throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s, including for both the Spitfire and Earth albums.

In what could be called "a feel good story," the '59 Sunburst has finally found its way back. Three years after he was tipped off that the guitar might still be in existence, Chaquico's difficult quest to get it back has ended after a meeting of the musical minds between Chaquico and the instrument's current owner, a guitar aficionado, himself.

After more than a year of back-and-forth's in the legal system, the two musicians sat down and talked about the history of the guitar (now known affectionately as "Lorelei") and what it meant to each of them. And it was this discussion that led to a confidential settlement agreement and resolution between the parties...

"Seeing the guitar for the first time after so many years brought back so many memories for me," states Chaquico. "One of my dreams from the outset was simply to perform or record with it again... and it looks like that dream just might come true."

In a gesture of good will from one musician to another, the current owner of the '59 Sunburst (who has now owned the instrument for almost a dozen years) would like Chaquico to continue making great music and providing further heritage to the instrument that already has an illustrious past thanks to Craig. This guitar went everywhere with him beginning in the mid 70s until it vanished at the riot.

"I'm thoroughly excited about hitting the stage with it again sometime this year," says Chaquico. "It'll be a magical moment for me and I'm sure I'll feel like a 'kid' in the mid 70s all over again. 'Lorelei' truly is one of my favorite guitars of all time."

"What was most pleasing for me was seeing Craig and the current owner, both lovers of music and guitars, sit down for a day and talk amongst themselves to develop a trust," says attorney Peter Koenig who represented Chaquico in his pursuit of the guitar. "While us lawyers discussed esoteric legal points as to who, rightfully, would keep the guitar, Craig opened a dialogue with the current owner that ultimately allowed for both of them to share their feelings and realize their dream outcome. I look forward to the music Craig makes on '9-2180'."

The value of the guitar can only increase over time if it remains in its impeccable condition.

According to a Guitar Player magazine article in April 2016, Metallica's Kirk Hammett purchased a 1959 Les Paul Standard that was previously owned by Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green and guitar great Gary Moore for a reported $2 million.

Chaquico looks forward to great things ahead, commenting, "What I'd really like to see is a reunion of Jefferson Starship original members who lost their instruments that day come together and perform with them again. Pete Sears got his bass back in 2013 and John Barbata got his cymbals back shortly after the riot."

For more information, go to:
http://www.craigchaquico.com
http://www.facebook.com/CraigChaquicoOfficalPage/?ref=hl
http://www.twitter.com/CraigChaquico
http://www.youtube.com/user/CraigChaquicoVideo

For more detailed information on the riot, itself, please see http://starship.lu/E78/E78.html

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Angel Guitarist Punky Meadows Announces U.S. Tour

Back in the late 1970s, Angel made their mark with flashy, white outfits and a highly theatrical stage show only rivaled by Kiss (their then-label mates on Casablanca Records). 

Angel split up in 1981, but the group’s popularity and influence stayed afloat, resulting in the return last year of their guitarist Punky Meadows with his first-ever solo release, Fallen Angel and a video clip for the the song “Straight Shooter.”


“I'm very proud of this song and album,” Meadows says. “Every song kicks ass and is a winner. Danny Farrow and I have a great song writing chemistry so it's hard to to pick a favorite song because they're all good. ‘Straight Shooter’ was our first single and video. This band is killer with all talented players and a killer singer.”

And in March and April, Meadows and his band will be will touring parts of the States. For March, dates have been announced for Las Vegas, San Diego, and Los Angeles, while April will see appearances in Poughkeepsie, New York and New York City.

Singer Chandler Mogel, guitarist Danny Farrow, keyboardist Charlie Calv, and drummer Bob Pantella mare part of Meadows' band. Due to surgery, bassist Felix Robinson has not been confirmed to play these dates.

Angel was featured the 1980 cult classic film, Foxes starring Jodie Foster, Cherie Currie, and Scott Baio. In the 70s, they also enjoyed massive popularity in Japan. The group released six studio albums on Casablanca Records before disbanding in 1981, due to the demise of the label. During his career, Meadows was nearly recruited by Kiss, Aerosmith, and the New York Dolls.

After Angel, Meadows occupied himself with a number of successful business ventures while continuing to play guitar and write songs. Through social media, fans let him know he was missed and they wanted to hear new music. Together with close friend and guitarist Danny Farrow, they crafted 15 new songs for Fallen Angel, which charted on Billboard at #6 on the Heatseekers Chart and #32 on the Independent Album Chart.

A special autographed edition of Fallen Angel that includes a guitar pick and two bonus tracks (one featuring original Angel vocalist Frank Dimino), is available exclusively at Main Man Records. You can purchase the regular 15-song edition here , as well as the usual outlets, including iTunes and Amazon.

Limited meet-and-greets at the show are also available. This includes a personal photo with Punky Meadows and the band (with a personal cell or camera), up to three autographed Punky Meadows or Angel items, and a free 8x10 you get autographed. For more information, visit the Punky Meadows Tour Dates page.

Tour Dates:

March 8th - Backstage Bar and Billiards - Las Vegas, NV
March 9th - Brick By Brick - San Diego, CA
March 10th - The Whisky - Los Angeles, CA
April 21st - The Chance - Poughkeepsie, NY
April 29th - BB Kings - New York City, NY

For more information, go to:
www.punkymeadowsofficial.com
www.facebook.com/punkymeadowsofficial/
www.facebook.com/groups/punkymeadowsofficial/
www.twitter.com/punkymeadows001

Monday, February 20, 2017

Mick Jagger Has Written A Memoir That Will Never Be Released

We heard everything Keith Richards had to say in his 2010 memoir, Life. But, we've just learned, Mick Jagger could have gotten the first word on life in the Rolling Stones if only he'd have sensationalized his story a bit. Publisher/author John Blake writes in an essay in The Spectator that he's got the 75,000-word "pristine typescript" cooked up by Jagger under lock and key after getting his hands on the long-rumored autobiography three years ago. 

Jagger has been asked over and over if and when he'll release a memoir and he's always answered the same way: never. "Except what virtually nobody knows is that he already has," writes Blake, who published a Stones book called Up and Down with the Rolling Stones: My Rollercoaster Ride with Keith Richards in 2011. "It is an extraordinary insight into one of the three most influential rock stars of all time," he says, explaining that Jagger was finally convinced to give it a whirl around 1974, after tiring of all the unauthorized books about his band.

"The popular, often-repeated version of events is that Mick approached Bill Wyman, the Rolling Stones’ self-appointed archivist, to help him with research," says Blake. "Wyman, legend has it, told Mick to go forth and multiply. He was going to write his own book. Then, so the story goes, Mick floundered. All the years of drugs and debauchery had addled his brain so badly that he could not remember anything."

Jagger then reluctantly returned his one-million pound advance and walked away, claims Blake, who traveled extensively with the Stones as a rock journalist. "I thought that was the end of the story until three years ago, when a mutual friend handed me a pristine typescript Mick had written," he writes. "I was dumbfounded. This was the rock ’n’ roll equivalent of the Dead Sea Scrolls. So far as I have been able to ascertain, a publisher rejected the manuscript because it was light on sex and drugs. In the early 1980s, when it was written, shock and awe was a vital part of any successful autobiography. Read now, however, it is a little masterpiece. A perfectly preserved time capsule written when the Stones had produced all their greatest music, but still burned with the passion and fire of youth and idealism."

Blake reveals that the book shows a "quieter, more watchful Mick," who divulges that the elaborate feasts the band allegedly demanded backstage largely went untouched, and that he bought the historic Stargroves mansion while high on acid, then nearly died while riding a horse on the grounds of his new purchase. "It is delicious, heady stuff. Like reading Elvis Presley’s diaries from the days before he grew fat and washed-up in Vegas," he says. Once it was in his hands, Blake says that he was determined to get it published and that Jagger's manager seemed game, though her client couldn't even remember writing it.

He got as far as Jagger committing to penning a foreword to the book to establish that he wrote it "long ago and far away," but then life intruded and "the steel gates clanged shut. Mick wanted nothing further to do with this project. He never wanted to see it published."

According to The Guardian, Stones' manager Joyce Smyth said in a statement that: "John Blake writes to me from time to time seeking permission to publish this manuscript. The answer is always the same: He cannot, because it isn’t his and he accepts this. Readers will be able to form a view as regards the matters to which John Blake refers when Sir Mick’s autobiography appears, should he choose to write it." A spokesperson for Jagger had no comment at press time.

Friday, February 17, 2017

Styx, REO Speedwagon & Don Felder To Launch 'United We Rock' Summer Tour

 
   
 
 
REO Speedwagon and Styx, along with very special guest star Don Felder, f ormerly of the Eagles, will join forces for the “United We Rock” U.S. summer tour, which kicks off in Ridgefield, WA on June 20. Produced by Live Nation, tickets for various cities will go on sale starting February 24.  For more information please visit livenation.com.
 
Styx, REO Speedwagon and Don Felder will be offering direct-to-fan access to the best seats in the house via their own exclusive pre-sales beginning Tuesday, February 21 at 12pm local time, through Thursday, February 23 at 10pmlocal time. Visit StyxWorld.com to join the Styx Lounge for access to exclusive content, ticket pre-sales and VIP packages, visit REOSpeedwagon.com for information about REO Speedwagon's VIP packages and ticket pre-sales, and visit DonFelder.com for information about Don Felder’s VIP packages and ticket pre-sales. General onsale begins on Friday, February 24 at 10am local time.  For more information on tickets please visit livenation.com.
 
Midwest rock heroes REO Speedwagon and Styx have a rich touring and recording history together. In 2000, the bands recorded a live album and DVD called Arch Allies: Live at Riverport at Riverport Amphitheatre in Missouri. In 2009, the bands embarked on the “Can’t Stop Rockin’” Tour and marked the occasion with a single, “Can’t Stop Rockin’,” co-written by Styx’s Tommy Shaw and REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin. 2012 and 2013, REO Speedwagon and Styx hit the road together with the wildly successful “The Midwest Rock ‘n Roll Express” tour.
 
Most recently, in January, Styx and Don Felder shared the Las Vegas stage for an unforgettable five-night limited engagement, “Styx & Don Felder: Renegades In The Fast Lane,” at The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian Las Vegas. And, on the Rock Legends Cruise in February, Don Felder invited
REO Speedwagon’s Dave Amato up for an amazing performance of “Hotel California.”
 
Everyone on the tour is ecstatic to criss-cross the U.S. together again. In their own words:
 
"I called up Tommy Shaw last summer and we were both thinking the same thing: let's get the boys together, make some music, and have some fun. REO Speedwagon and Styx together is a head first plunge into the fountain of youth, an unstoppable force of nature. Add the amazing Don Felder to the mix and it's a thundering slam dunk!" – Kevin Cronin, REO Speedwagon (vocals, guitars, keyboards)
 
“Hitting the road with REO and Don Felder is gonna be an unforgettable evening of music for the fans and another chance to hang with these good time friends of ours who love the life as much as we do.” – Tommy Shaw, Styx (vocals, guitars)
 
“FORGET POLITICS!!! Since music is the universal language, Styx, REO Speedwagon and Don Felder have a SHOUT OUT TO THE UNIVERSE!!! UNITED WE ROCK!!!  At a venue near you this summer!!!”
– James “JY” Young (vocals, guitars)
 
“I’m so excited to be spending the summer on tour with my good friends STYX and REO.  It’s going to be a ‘ROCKING’ summer filled with hit after hit and tons of fun for everyone. Come on out and party, dance and sing with us this summer.  It’s going to be a blast.” – Don Felder
 
Check out “United We Rock” at any of the following stops. 
 
6/20 - Sunlight Supply Amphitheatre - Ridgefield, WA
6/21 - White River Amphitheatre - Auburn, WA                 
6/23 - Concord Pavilion - Concord, CA                
6/24 - Greek Theatre - Los Angeles, CA          
6/25 - Vina Robles Amphitheatre - Paso Robles, CA         
6/27 - USANA Amphitheatre - Salt Lake City, UT         
6/29 - Pepsi Center - Denver, CO                  
7/01 - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre - Tinley Park, IL              
7/18 - MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amp. - Tampa, FL                   
7/19 - Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre - West Palm Beach, FL   
7/20 - Daily’s Place - Jacksonville, FL                       
7/22 - Ascend Amphitheatre - Nashville, TN                
7/23 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre - Alpharetta, GA             
7/25 - DTE Energy Music Theatre - Detroit, MI                    
7/27 - Klipsch Music Center - Indianapolis, IN            
7/29 - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion - Houston, TX                 
7/30 - Starplex Pavilion - Dallas, TX                    
8/11 - Bethel Woods Ctr. for the Arts - Bethel, NY                   
8/12 - Borgata Event Center - Atlantic City, NJ                       
8/13 - Jiffy Lube Live - Bristow, VA                  
8/15 - Bank of NH Pavilion - Gilford, NH                  
8/16 - Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater - Wantagh, NY                
8/18 - Seneca Niagara Events Center - Niagara Falls, NY         
8/19 - Xfinity Center - Mansfield, MA              
8/20 - Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion - Bangor, ME                 
8/22 - PNC Bank Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ                 



Thursday, February 16, 2017

Roy Orbison's Son Secures Rights for Film on 'The Beatle Who Vanished'

The movie rights for The Beatle Who Vanished, a book by Jim Berkenstadt about the life of drummer Jimmie Nicol who was a Beatle for 13 days, have been secured by Alex Orbison, son of Roy Orbison on behalf of the family's Roy's Boys Films, and Ashley Hamilton's 449 Productions. Hamilton is the son of actor George Hamilton and actress Alana Stewart.

Berkenstadt's book, first published in 2013, told Nicol's story in detail. It included accounts of Nicol with the Beatles, his pre- and post-Beatles career and included many archival photos.

Nicol temporarily replaced Ringo Starr when the Beatle was hospitalized in 1964 for tonsillitis and pharyngitis just as the group was about to play a series of concerts. The new drummer passed an audition in front of Brian Epstein and received a new mop-top haircut. After a rehearsal with the group, he made his first formal appearance with them June 4 at K.B. Hallen in Copenhagen, Denmark.

During his almost two weeks with the group, he performed with them in 10 concerts at five venues, a TV show at Hilversum, Holland, appeared at press conferences and made public appearances as a Beatle. Besides Copenhagen, his concert performances were in Blokker, Holland; Hong Kong; and finally Adelaide, Australia, where he played his final Beatles shows. Afterward, he was given a check for £500, presented with a watch and dropped off at the airport. His time as a Beatle was over.

Orbison siad he became interested in Nicol's story for several reasons. “The arc of Jimmy Nicol as a person and the overall ride of his intersection with that historic high point of what seemed to be the beginnings of Beatlemania.” But he said it's not just a Beatles story, but also revolves around what happened after his 13 days with the group were over. Nicol stayed in the music business playing with many groups, including Peter & Gordon, but mostly obscure bands. Nicol has since avoided the spotlight.

Orbison said his father's connection with the Beatles also played a part in his interest in the film. Roy Orbison toured with the Beatles in 1963 in the U.K. “The fact that my dad toured with the Beatles and had become friends with them was always dear to me,” Alex Orbison said. Orbison started the tour as the headliner. But within a week, according to Mark Lewisohn's The Beatles Live, the programs were being reprinted with the Beatles as headliners.

Orbison said another reason he was interested in doing the film was that he is a drummer. “I've been a drummer since I was eight years old. And my dad was very supportive and taught me things on the drums.

“I'm actually friends with Ringo through my mom (the late Barbara Orbison). The family side of it really occurred afterwards. When I first saw it just the fact that Jimmie Nicol was invited behind the curtain and was a legit Beatle able to do interviews and get all the perks and just be in and then to be dropped off back off at the airport. The second half of the story turns into a mystery. It seemed to have such a mass appeal.”

Hamilton said he was also interested in getting rights to the book as soon as he heard the story. “I hear a lot of stories and this one grabbed me from the beginning. Everyone grows up wanting to be the president or a Beatle, but for 13 days! That has to crush one's soul. It's really the age old question -- is it better to have never been or for 13 days?”

Berkenstadt, who calls himself “The Rock n' Roll Detective,” said he never considered while writing The Beatle Who Vanished that it could become a movie. “It's not something I thought about when I spent six years trying to flush out the person Jimmie Nicol, who had merely been a footnote in Beatles history. I just merely wanted to find out what happened to him,” he said in a phone interview. “But I'm excited that Ashley Hamilton and Alex Orbison find that it would be an interesting thing to partner up and envision the book in another medium and really expose it to a whole new audience, because it is quite a compelling story.”

He also said he's considering a second edition of the book with a traditional publisher when the movie draws near. He self-published the original edition.

“I have an agent who will be talking to traditional publishers for a second edition of the book when a green light happens in the other media form of the book.” Berkenstadt said there have been developments in the Nicol story, which will be in the second edition. Berkenstadt, along with Orbison and Hamilton, will be executive producers on the project.

Orbison is also involved with other projects related to his father. Black & White Night 30, a 30th anniversary reissue of A Black and White Night Live, will be released Feb. 24. The new version, about a half hour longer than the original, includes unreleased songs and new footage not seen previously. Orbison is also planning a film on his father's life.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Heart's Nancy Wilson To Debut Side Project In Los Angeles

The Rock Against MS Foundation is honored to present Nancy Wilson, founding member of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame group Heart and her critically acclaimed, newly formed side project Roadcase Royale, at the 5th Annual Rock Against MS Benefit Concert & Award Show on Saturday, March 25, at the Los Angeles Theatre in Los Angeles.

Wilson has teamed up with former Prince band member and R&B singer Liv Warfield to form a new super group called Roadcase Royale. The band's sound is a combination of muscular rock with some R&B/blues and in-depth ballads thrown in, reflecting the iconic sounds of both their respective bands.

Joining Wilson (guitar) and Warfield (vocals) are lead guitarist Ryan Waters (the musical director for Liv's solo work and Prince Protégé) along with HEART members Chris Joyner (keys), Dan Rothchild (bass), and Ben Smith (drums).

Get ready for an All-star studded event as the celebrities’ sweep the orange carpet raising awareness and funding to help people suffering from multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, on this evening the RAMS Foundation will present seven (7) amazing individuals the Platinum People Award as they honor the humanitarian spirit of extraordinary individuals who have shown courage, compassion, and unselfish character.

This year RAMS is privileged to honor and celebrate the life of the world’s most iconic and influential comedian, RICHARD PRYOR. This is an additional award, recently added for public figures that have created awareness and outreach to educate people of this.

“Richard’s genius wasn’t just making people laugh, he used his comedy as a way to communicate the truth,” explains Pryor’s wife Jennifer Lee Pryor. “More than anyone, Richard could appreciate RAMS’ mission to not remain silent. RAMS uses every means possible to enlighten, inform and educate the public about MS. Telling the truth is their genius too.”

Additional information regaring other guests and tickets is forthcoming...

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Pink Floyd Releasing Individual Volumes From 'The Early Years: 1965 - 1972' Box Set

Pink Floyd will release a series of book-bound individual collections of the band’s seminal music from 1965-1972 on March, 24, 2017. The 6 individual collections were first released as part of The Early Years 1965-1972 box set.

Whether a fan of the early Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd, or to the final moments before The Dark Side of The Moon, there is something for everyone in these volumes for fans and newcomers alike. The stand-alone packages were originally released as part of The Early Years: 1965-1972 box set that was reviewed as one of the best box sets of 2016 but are now available as separate volumes broken down by years 1965-1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971 and finally 1972. Outtakes and demos from the band’s early albums including The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, A Saucerful Of Secrets, Meddle and  Atom Heart Mother are included in these packages.

Each package documents the creative genius behind each Pink Floyd recording and even the titles (CAMBRIDGE ST/ATION, GERMIN/ATION, DRAMATIS/ATION, DEVI/ATION, REVERB/ATION, OBFUSC/ATION) have been dreamed up by Roger Waters to give an insight into where the band was at that particular point in their career.

The Early Years: Individual Volumes afford fans the opportunity to hear the evolution of the band and witness their part in the cultural revolution from their earliest recordings and studio sessions to the years prior to the release of The Dark Side Of The Moon, one of the biggest selling albums of all time.  From the single "Arnold Layne" to the 20-minute epic "Echoes," fans will see the invention of psychedelic progressive rock via an insightful collection that explores the Pink Floyd story from the time Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Nick Mason and Syd Barrett met at London’s Regent Street Polytechnic through to Barrett’s departure and David Gilmour joining the band to form the iconic lineup.

For fans wishing to immerse themselves in the full Pink Floyd story, the complete box set The Early Years: 1965-1972 collates all of the individual volumes plus extra discs, collectables and memorabilia exclusive to the box set. In addition to the individual volumes and the deluxe set, a 2-CD highlights album The Early Years – CRE/ATION is also available.

Product overview:

1965-1967        
CAMBRIDGE ST/ATION                  
2 CD / DVD / Blu-ray
Covering Syd Barrett’s time with the band, from the pre-EMI demos, through the non-album hit singles and related tracks, the first volume also features previously unreleased tracks like "Vegetable Man" and "In The Beechwoods" (newly mixed), plus BBC session recordings. Pink Floyd have also acquired the tapes of an unreleased 1967 concert in Stockholm.

The DVD/Blu-ray includes historic TV performances plus some of Pink Floyd’s own film material:


  • Early 1965 recordings and early singles
  • "Vegetable Man," "In The Beechwoods," John Latham, Stockholm concert

  • Promo clips, TV appearances, rare footage
  • Replica memorabilia from the period

1968                  
GERMIN/ATION                                
CD / DVD / Blu-ray    
This volume explores the time immediately after Syd Barrett’s departure, when Pink Floyd were still writing singles and at the same time developing their own unique, more instrumentally-based style. There are non-album single releases, plus a recently discovered session at Capitol Records studios in Los Angeles, BBC sessions and other tracks.

The DVD/Blu-ray includes the recently restored promo clip of "Point Me At The Sky," some international TV performances and a selection of song material from other television shows:

  • Early singles, BBC Radio sessions

  • Tracks from Capitol Studios, LA

  • Promo clip, TV appearances, rare footage
  • Replica memorabilia from the period

1969                  
DRAMATIS/ATION                          
2 CD / DVD / Blu-ray
In 1969 Pink Floyd unveiled their 2-part conceptual live production of "The Man" and "The Journey," covering a 24-hour period of dreaming, waking and other activities. Never released in that form, however some of the songs were used on the More soundtrack and the Ummagumma album. This volume refers back to ‘The Man’ and ‘The Journey’ tour with live performances in Amsterdam and for the BBC in London, but also includes the bonus tracks from the More soundtrack that were used in the film but not on record, plus non-album tracks like the early version of "Embryo" from the Harvest sampler Picnic.

Video material includes 20 minutes of "The Man" and "The Journey" rehearsal at the Royal Festival Hall, directed by Anthony Stern, including "Afternoon (Biding My Time)," "The Beginning (Green Is The Colour)," "Nightmare (Cymbaline)," "Beset By Creatures Of The Deep" and "The End Of The Beginning" (the last part of A Saucerful Of Secrets), plus other live performance footage from that year:

  • "The Man" & "The Journey" live

  • TV appearances, rare footage
  • Interstellar Overdrive with Frank Zappa
  • Replica memorabilia from the period

1970        
DEVI/ATION                                                  
2 CD / 2 DVD / Blu-ray                                
At the end of 1969 and in the early part of 1970, Pink Floyd recorded and mixed their contribution to Michelangelo Antonioni’s alternative view of US society, Zabriskie Point. Three songs were released on the soundtrack album, and a further 4 in the expanded CD edition in 1997. Never released on one Pink Floyd disc, this volume compiles remixed and updated versions of the Zabriskie Point audio material. In the same year, Pink Floyd scored their first UK Number One album with Atom Heart Mother, a collaboration with Ron Geesin, and the audio includes the first performance for the BBC, featuring an orchestra and choir, as well as, on DVD, the original quad mix.

Video material includes a full hour of Pink Floyd performing live at San Francisco cable TV station KQED plus extracts from historic performances of Atom Heart Mother, and material from French TV coverage of the St. Tropez festival in Southern France.

  • Atom Heart Mother band-only versions
  • BBC Radio session, Zabriskie Point mixes
  • Concert footage and improvisations
  • Atom Heart Mother original 4.0 Quad mix
  • Replica memorabilia from the period

1971    
REVERBER/ATION                                            
CD / DVD / Blu-ray                                        
In 1971 Pink Floyd recorded the Meddle album, containing the LP side-long "Echoes," regarded by many as laying the groundwork for The Dark Side Of The Moon, and, as such, is an important part of the Pink Floyd canon.

This package includes part of the original demos, when the project gestated from "Nothing" to "Return Of The Son Of Nothing," as well as a contemporary BBC session recording. Audio-visual material includes the original unreleased quad mix of "Echoes" but also material of live band performances in 1971, including songs performed with Roland Petit and his Marseille ballet company.

  • BBC Radio session, Nothing Part 14
  • Concert footage and documentaries
  • "Echoes" original 4.0 Quad mix
  • Replica memorabilia from the period

1972      
OBFUSC/ATION                                          
2 CD / DVD / Blu-ray                    
In 1972 Pink Floyd travelled to Hérouville, north of Paris, to record at Strawberry Studios there, based in the town’s Chateau. In a remarkable two weeks, they wrote and recorded one of their most cohesive albums, Obscured By Clouds, the soundtrack to Barbet Schroeder’s La Vallée.

Additionally, 1972 saw the release of Pink Floyd Live At Pompeii, a film of the band performing without an audience in the historic Roman amphitheatre of Pompeii, directed by Adrian Maben. The video material includes the performances from the Live At Pompeii film, edited to new 5.1 audio mixes, plus material from contemporary French TV as well as performances from Brighton Dome in June 1972 and further performances with the Roland Petit ballet company:

  • Obscured By Clouds 2016 remix

  • Live at Pompeii 2016 stereo mixes
  • Documentaries inc. Roland Petit ballet
  • Pompeii concert film in 5.1 sound
  • Replica memorabilia from the period

www.pinkfloyd.com
www.facebook.com/pinkfloyd

Monday, February 13, 2017

David Bowie, Beatles, Bob Dylan Win Grammys

David Bowie, the Beatles  and Bob Dylan received Grammys last night (February 12th) during the 59th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony held in Los Angeles, California.

David Bowie’s Blackstar yielded four awards: Best Rock Performance, Best Alternative Music Album, Best Recording Package and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, which was handed out to Bowie, Tom Elmhirst, Kevin Killen and Tony Visconti, engineers; Joe LaPorta, mastering engineer.

Ron Howard's The Beatles: Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years won the Grammy for Best Music Film. The film, which had a brief and successful theatrical run last September before its DVD/ Blu-ray Disc release in November, focuses on the Fab Four and their tumultuous touring years — from 1963 to 1966 — when they canvassed a world caught in the grip of Beatlemania.

Bob Dylan’s latest studio box, The Cutting Edge 1965-1966: The Bootleg Series, Vol.12 (Collector’s Edition), took home the prize for Best Historical Album, awarded to Steve Berkowitz and Jeff Rosen, compilation producers and Mark Wilder, mastering engineer.

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Eric Clapton Documentary Coming To Theaters This Fall

Eric Clapton is getting the documentary treatment. Showtime Documentary Films has boarded Eric Clapton: A Life in 12 Bars, described as an unflinching and deeply personal journey into the life of the legendary musician. 

Directed by Lili Fini Zanuck, the doc will screen at domestic and international film festivals later this year, and be released theatrically in the U.S. and Canada this fall. It will then air nationally on Showtime in 2018. John Battsek is producing for Passion Pictures. Chris King is editing the doc.

A Life in 12 Bars zooms in on the life and legacy of the 18-time Grammy winner and the only artist ever to be inducted three times into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It charts his roots from a traumatic childhood through his difficult struggle with drugs and alcohol and the tragic loss of his son, and contextualizes Clapton’s role in contemporary music and cultural history.

It also features archival materials like classic performance clips, on- and off-stage footage, iconic photos, concert posters, handwritten letters, drawings and personal diary entries, as well as extensive interviews with Clapton himself and his family, friends, musical collaborators, contemporaries and heroes, including late music icons B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix and George Harrison.

"Clapton’s music is the foundation of our film -- his commitment to the Blues, its traditions and originators is absolute from his earliest days,” says director Lili Fini Zanuck. "His personal life conveys the emotional spine of the film -- his damaged emotional psyche threads throughout his life, informing his art, and causing many abrupt and surprising shifts along the way. The film traces all the key junctures: his prodigious talent, obsessive impatience, perfectionism and musical 'mission.' Mining inner strength and spiritual resolve, he somehow maintains sobriety, finding healing in music. He reflects on his newfound domestic happiness and a magical, meteoric journey which has secured his place in the rock pantheon. Despite the fact that his path is strewn with tragedies, addiction and loss, he never fails to regain his bearings and continue to serve what he holds dearest: his music."

Monday, February 6, 2017

Sting Launches 57th & 9th World Tour To Rave Reviews, Heralded As The "Show Of A Lifetime"

Coming off of sold out concerts across North America and Europe, Sting's 57th & 9th World Tour, with special guests The Last Bandoleros and Joe Sumner, is taking the world by storm with stunningly rave reviews from fans and critics alike.

The guitar-driven rock tour, featuring a 4-piece band, launched in Vancouver last week and will perform in 24 North American cities before heading to Barcelona, Spain, on March 21st for concerts in an additional 13 cities with multiple performances added due to demand in San Francisco, Los Angeles, London and Paris.

Following the North American and European tours, additional dates have been added in South and Central America, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Osaka. Sting then returns to Europe for a string of summer festival and concert dates throughout Europe. Visit www.sting.com for complete tour and ticket details.

On the 57th & 9th Tour, Sting is joined by a three-piece band including his longtime guitarist, Dominic Miller, plus Josh Freese (drums) and Rufus Miller (guitar).  

Sting's 12th solo studio album, 57th & 9th, his first rock/pop project in over a decade, was released November 11 on A&M/Interscope Records. The 10-song collection represents a wide range of Sting's musical and songwriting styles from the raucous, guitar-driven first single, "I Can't Stop Thinking About You," to the ferocious, Road Warrior-style imagery of "Petrol Head" and the anthemic "50,000."  The album, produced by Martin Kierszenbaum, was recorded in just a few weeks with Sting's long-time collaborators Dominic Miller (guitar) and Vinnie Colaiuta (drums), as well as drummer Josh Freese (Nine Inch Nails, Guns n' Roses), guitarist Lyle Workman and backing vocals by the San Antonio-based Tex-Mex band The Last Bandoleros.

NORTH AMERICA :



Wed., Feb. 01, 2017
Vancouver, BC
Commodore Ballroom

Thur., Feb. 02, 2017
Portland, OR
Theater of the Clouds at Moda Center

Sunday, Feb. 05, 2017
San Francisco, CA
The Masonic

Monday, Feb. 06 2017
San Francisco, CA
The Masonic

Wed., Feb. 08, 2017
Los Angeles, CA
Palladium (presented by Citi)

Thur. Feb. 09, 2017
Los Angeles, CA
Palladium (presented by Citi)

Sat., Feb. 11, 2017
Rancho Mirage, CA
Agua Caliente Casino

Tues., Feb. 14, 2017
Denver, CO
Fillmore Auditorium

Thur., Feb. 16, 2017
Kansas City, MO
Uptown Theater

Friday, Feb. 17, 2017
St. Louis, MO
The Pageant

Sun., Feb. 19, 2017
Austin, TX
ACL Live at The Moody Theater

Mon., Feb. 20, 2017
Dallas, TX
Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie.

Wed., Feb. 22, 2017
New Orleans, LA
UNO Lakefront Arena

Thur., Feb. 23, 2017
Houston, TX
Smart Financial Centre

Sat., Feb. 25, 2017
Miami, FL
Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater

Mon., Feb. 27, 2017
Atlanta, GA
Tabernacle

Tues., Feb. 28, 2017
Nashville, TN
Municipal Auditorium

Thur., Mar. 02, 2017
Minneapolis, MN
The Myth

Friday, Mar. 03, 2017
Chicago, IL
Aragon Ballroom

Sun., Mar. 05, 2017
Toronto, ON
Rebel

Mon., Mar. 06, 2017
Montreal, QC
Metropolis

Wed., Mar. 08, 2017
Boston, MA
House of Blues

Thur., Mar. 09, 2017
Uncasville, CT
Mohegan Sun

Sat., Mar. 11, 2017
Philadelphia, PA
Fillmore

Sun., Mar. 12, 2017
Washington, DC
The Theater at MGM National Harbor

Tues., Mar. 14, 2017
New York, NY
Hammerstein Ballroom




Jeff Lynne's ELO Announces 2024 North American Fall Tour

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