The biggest news of the past few weeks was the announcement of the 2011 Class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This year's inductees include Dr. John, Tom Waits, Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Darlene Love, and Leon Russell. Congratulations to them all!
Dr. John, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, Was 'Surprised' By the News (Andy Greene, Rolling Stone)
Dr. John a deserving Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (Keith Spera, NOLA.com)
Tom Waits issues statement regarding his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Randall Roberts, Pop & Hiss/LA Times)
Neil Diamond, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, Says He Feels 'Very Lucky' (Andy Greene, Rolling Stone)
Alice Cooper, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, Was 'Elated' When He Got the News (Andy Greene, Rolling Stone)
Chuck Berry collapsed during his performance New Year's Night at Chicago's Congress Theater. He was assisted offstage but returned, only to be led off again. He apologized to the crowd before leaving, getting in a few of his famous duck-walk steps on his way out. He was examined by paramedics at the venue and apparently refused hospital treatment, leaving instead in a limousine. His agency posted an official statement on his website Monday, stating that "he is fine and has returned to his home near St. Louis."
The NPR blog All Songs Considered asked its readers to comment on why Chuck Berry matters, even though modern rock sounds almost nothing like it did in Berry's heyday. It's simple: One must know what the rules are in order to break them and create something original, and Berry helped write the rule book. His signature, driving riff is at the very foundation of rock and roll, and all of the innovators who've come after him - the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan are only three - went through him first. One revolution inevitably inspires another.
"If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry.'" - John Lennon
"To me, Chuck Berry always was the epitome of rhythm and blues playing, rock and roll playing. It was beautiful, effortless, and his timing was perfection. He is rhythm supreme. He plays that lovely double-string stuff, which I got down a long time ago, but I'm still getting the hang of. Later I realized why he played that way--because of the sheer physical size of the guy. I mean, he makes one of those big Gibsons look like a ukulele!" - Keith Richards
"In my universe, Chuck is irreplaceable . . . All that brilliance is still there, and he's still a force of nature. As long as Chuck Berry's around, everything's as it should be." - Bob Dylan, from his latest Rolling Stone interview (#1078).
Official Statement from Chuck Berry's Agency, CMG Worldwide
Before his collapse, Berry was complaining, cutting songs short (Dave Hoekstra, Chicago Sun-Times)
Chuck Berry's Collapse Reminds Us How Much He Matters (Bob Boilen, All Songs Considered/NPR)
Berry performs at least once a month at the St. Louis venue Blueberry Hill and other tour dates as they are announced on his website. I see a road trip at some point in my future!
Just a few days before his Chicago performance, his first hit "Maybellene" turned 55 years old. Get well soon, Mr. Berry, and long may you rock!
Levon Helm was also recently hospitalized, but has since been released and has returned to performing. Helm has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); a cold aggravated the condition, and he was admitted to a New York hospital for nearly a week, forcing him to miss a scheduled Midnight Ramble at his Woodstock home and studio. He was released on December 17 and performed at the Ramble the next night. Levon, we love you, and we're glad you're feeling better!
Levon Helm hospitalized, but OK (John W. Barry, Poughkeepsie Journal)
Levon Helm home from hospital (Poughkeepsie Journal)
The music world lost Captain Beefheart on December 17 and Stealers Wheel's Gerry Rafferty on January 4. Rest in peace, gentlemen.
Captain Beefheart Dead at Age 69 (Maura Johnston, Rolling Stone)
Don Van Vliet, Known To Rock Fans As Captain Beefheart, Dies (Rick Carr, NPR)
Don Van Vliet, Known To Rock Fans As Captain Beefheart, Dies (Rick Carr, NPR)
Gerry Rafferty dies at 63; Scottish pop singer-songwriter had a hit with 'Baker Street' (Keith Thursby, LA Times)
Remembering Songwriter Gerry Rafferty (NPR)
RIP Gerry Rafferty, Whose 'Baker Street' Changed the Sax Solo (Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone)
Remembering Songwriter Gerry Rafferty (NPR)
RIP Gerry Rafferty, Whose 'Baker Street' Changed the Sax Solo (Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone)
Robbie Robertson has announced the release date for How To Become Clairvoyant, his first solo album since 1998's Contact From the Underworld of Redboy. It comes out on April 5, just in time for my birthday - thanks, Robbie! Now if only you'll tour, my year will be complete . . .
How To Become Clairvoyant, Robbie Robertson's First Album in Over a Decade, Is Due Out April 5, 2011 on 429 Records (Digital Journal)
The album art is up on the front page of Robbie's official website. The title track was previously released on the HBO series True Blood and is included on the show's latest soundtrack. You can preview another song, "When the Night was Young," here.
How To Become Clairvoyant, Robbie Robertson's First Album in Over a Decade, Is Due Out April 5, 2011 on 429 Records (Digital Journal)
The album art is up on the front page of Robbie's official website. The title track was previously released on the HBO series True Blood and is included on the show's latest soundtrack. You can preview another song, "When the Night was Young," here.
Two movies and a musical: The Phil Ochs documentary There But For Fortune opens today at the IFC Center in New York City. Director Kenneth Bowser and Ochs' brother Michael will be present tonight and tomorrow night at the 7:20 and 9:30 showings. Wish I could be there!
While researching something for a friend yesterday I ran across the blog A Warehouse On Tchoupitoulas. Apparently there is a film in the works about the late, legendary New Orleans musical venue The Warehouse, which during the '70 hosted everyone from The Who to the Allman Brothers to Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue. The Grateful Dead played the inaugural weekend, and their subsequent arrest for drug possession inspired their classic "Truckin'"; the Doors played their final concert there. The filmmakers are trying to raise $40,000 to pay for the film's soundtrack. Take a look at the blog, and donate if you feel so inclined. Good luck, y'all - I really want to see this film!
(P.S. If anyone out there can tell me the exact location of the Warehouse at 1820 Tchoupitoulas, I'd be grateful.)
A Gram Parsons musical? Yes, please - especially when it sounds this good. Grievous Angel: The Legend of Gram Parsons wrapped a West Coast tour in October, and there are rumors of an East Coast tour in the works. Check out a video from the show, and you can preview other tracks from the soundtrack and order a copy of it here.
Neil Young and Daniel Lanois are on the cover of the current issue of American Songwriter, and the unabridged interview by Jann Uhelszki is available to read online.
Neil is also on the cover of the latest issue of MOJO. Try their Neil Young "Name The Album" quiz - it's just as hard as the previous Dylan one!
Speaking of Dylan, my favorite of Rolling Stone's recent playlists is from Patti Smith - she focuses on Bob Dylan's love songs. Bob is not primarily known for his romantic ballads, yet Patti and I are in agreement that few songwriters can turn heads quite like the Bard of Hibbing.
"What is sadder than 'One Too Many Mornings,' more troubling than 'Ballad in Plain D' or more poignant than 'Love Minus Zero'? And from a female point of view, what testament is more breathtaking than the words, "Love you more than madness" in 'Wedding Song'?"
What indeed, Patti. Check out the the rest of her list here: Patti Smith: Bob Dylan's Love Songs
And here is perhaps my favorite version of "Love Minus Zero/No Limit," from Bootleg Series Vol. 5: Live 1975 - The Rolling Thunder Revue.
My favorite is by Seth Kagan, who offers the following astute observations:
"If your primary aim is to establish a legacy, then, sure, leave while at the top of your game. But that is a more selfish motive than a true artist pursues. The expression and application of creative skill and imagination is the ongoing destination of every creator worth his or her salt. That is what Dylan continues to do . . . As long as he can wrangle a stage, he is entitled. And all the pundits who spin their thread on his dime have a choice. They can spit and castigate or they can take note of an aged poet and his mysterious process."
Or to put it in that mysterious poet's own words, "he not busy being born is busy dying" - a great meditation for a new year.
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