“He who hesitates is lunch”

These “secret” words are found on one of the Eagles great albums – recorded in 1974 – a year that began with the four members of the band….and ended with five:

August 1974 — The rock band, The Eagles, stand together outside a building. The Eagles were the most popular band of the seventies and their reunion tour in the nineties was also very successful. — Image by © Henry Diltz/CORBIS

Time to look at the turmoil that surrounded the release of the Eagles third album – a collection of music that showed the band showcasing a new, harder edge – AND containing their first #1 song as well!

The Eagles “On The Border!”

After the success of their first album – and the commercial failure of their second – the Eagles knew they had to re-think their music. The result was “On the Border” – and album that saw their Record Producer Glyn Johns leave the project after only two songs were recorded.

The album was initially produced by Glyn Johns and recorded at Olympic Studios, London, but during the making of the album, it was clear there was a problem. The band’s second album is a beautiful record, with two of their best songs – “Tequila Sunrise” and “Desperado”…

The album didn’t sell well, however, and the band decided it was time for a harder, more rock-focused approach – but Glyn Johns didn’t agree!

As Glenn Frey said about the recording sessions:

“We just didn’t want to make another limp-wristed L.A. country-rock record. They were all too smooth and glassy. We wanted a tougher sound.”

After six weeks in the studio, the band decided it was time for a change, so they said goodbye to Johns, with only two usable tracks, “Best of My Love” and “You Never Cry Like a Lover”.

February 1974 — The members of The Eagles stand against a wall. The Eagles were the most popular band of the seventies and their reunion tour in the nineties was also very successful. — Image by © Henry Diltz/CORBIS

The band headed back home to California, and hired Bill Szymczyk to produce the rest of the album. It was exactly the right choice for the band.

That’s Szymczyk in the Broncos jersey. These photos are by Henry Diltz, who captured the band throughout their incredible career. The Producer loved the harder edge that the band wanted, and he suggested they bring in a harder-edged guitarist to add slide guitar to the song “Good Day in Hell”.

March 1972 — The rock band The Eagles rest upon a rock. The Eagles were the most popular band of the seventies and their reunion tour in the nineties was also very successful. — Image by © Henry Diltz/CORBIS

Bernie Leadon suggested his buddy Don Felder, and after he began playing with them, the band invited Felder to become the fifth Eagle. The only other track he played on was the first song, “Already Gone”. They credited him as a late arrival on the album’s liner notes!

That’s why the album’s inner sleeve photo only has the original four members of the band! I love the iconic cover of the album, and I also loved the stylized graphics that list the songs on the back of the album.

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Here is an amazing live performance of the album’s first song, the classic rocker “Already Gone” from the 1974 California Jam concert – full of great energy:

Thanks to the OntarioMotorSpeedway youtube channel for this classic, which is from the CaliforniaJamFanClub.com.

The band was clearly having a great time, and that first song is a classic. Here are the Eagles performing “Already Gone” live on their 2013 “History Of The Eagles” tour as well:

The Eagles Soar To The Top Of The Charts!

The album includes the classic Eagles song, “Best of My Love”, which became the band’s first #1 single. Here is a beautiful live version from 1977:

Of course, the single was noticeably shorter than the song that’s on the album, because the record label edited the song before releasing it – without telling the band!

The Eagles Have A Hidden Groove!

Hers a fun fact I came across on wikipedia: this is the first album by the Eagles to be released in Quadraphonic surround sound. There is a hidden message carved into the run out groove on some of the original vinyl LPs that reads:

“He who hesitates is lunch”.

Here is a look at each song on the album, along with the songwriters. As you can see, a lot of the band’s friends contributed to the songwriting effort:

“Already Gone” (Jack Tempchin, Robb Strandlund)

“You Never Cry Like a Lover” (J.D. Souther, Don Henley)

“Midnight Flyer” (Paul Craft)

“My Man” (Bernie Leadon)

“On the Border” (Henley, Leadon, Glenn Frey)

“James Dean” (Jackson Browne, Frey, Souther, Henley)

Here is a great live performance of “James Dean” from that California Jam concert in 1974!

“Ol’ ’55” (Tom Waits)

“Is It True?” (Randy Meisner)

“Good Day in Hell” (Henley, Frey)

“Best of My Love” (Henley, Frey, Souther)

After the success of this album, the band never looked back…”On The Border” shows the band maturing in their sound, with a harder edge helped by the addition of Don Felder, and the music holds up more than 40 years later!

I posted a story about the beginning of the Eagles, and Linda Ronstadt’s memories of them as her friends – and backing band!

You can see that story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2016/03/01/the-birth-of-the-eagles-linda-ronstadts-back-up-band-had-a-peaceful-easy-feeling/

It was a memorable time in music history, and the band would go on to write some of the best songs in rock…

Fans were stunned by the death of Glenn Frey, and here is a story of how he and Don Henley wrote “Lyin’ Eyes”:

http://johnrieber.com/2016/01/19/glenn-freys-greatest-song-lyin-eyes-the-true-story/

I was so happy to have had the chance to see the band’s “History Of The Eagles” tour in 2013:

It was great to see Bernie Leadon performing the early songs with the band – here is my review of that concert:

Eagles Singer Glenn Frey RIP! Shocking News! History Of The Eagles! Old Friends Return!

And finally, Don Henley recently stated that the band won’t perform together again…but Henley continues to release great music:

Henley’s most recently album went to #1 on the country chart…see his great music video from the album here:

http://johnrieber.com/2016/02/24/don-henleys-1-cass-county-music-masterpiece-from-eagles-maestro-with-dolly-parton-and-mick-jagger-too/

Leave a comment to let me know your favorite “On The Border” song!

“I loved that record because it was so simple. And there was so much to see and to hear. It was just Paul. There was no adornment at all … There was no attempt made to compete with the things he had already done. And so out he stepped from the shadow of the Beatles.”

With those words, Neil Young captures perfectly the simplicity and brilliance of Paul McCartney’s debut solo album, “McCartney”…

Time To Celebrate A Classic!

I wanted to look at the “completely solo” debut album from Paul McCartney. It was widely derided at the time of its release, as Paul was blamed for the breakup of The Beatles – and fans were hurting and angry – as a result, Paul was under fire from all sides!

The Album’s First Single – That Wasn’t!

The story of Paul’s solo career begins with this classic song “Another Day”, which was the first single of McCartney’s solo career – but “Another Day” was actually written and previewed during the Beatles’ Let It Be sessions in 1969, and officially recorded for Paul’s SECOND album!

Here’s a great music video with lots of footage of Paul and Linda:

There are so many books that cover the breakup of The Beatles, and McCartney’s decision to release solo music, including a single that wasn’t even on McCartney’s first solo album!

The Majesty of “McCartney!”

“McCartney” was Paul’s debut solo album, released by Apple in April 1970 – recorded by Macca during a period of depression and confusion, following John Lennon’s private announcement in September 1969 that he was leaving the Beatles!

The Breakup Of The Beatles!

The band was also in the process of releasing “Let It Be” at the same time as “McCartney.” So the press and public were stunned when a press release came out from McCartney in the form of a self-interview that included promotional copies of “McCartney”. This shocking announcement led to a formal acknowledgement of the group’s break-up in April 1970. The band was no more…

The Recording Of “McCartney”:

Apart from wife Linda’s vocal contributions, McCartney performed the entire album by himself, playing every instrument. The songs felt like a series of sketches that were composed by McCartney, a back-to-basics style that had been the original concept for the Let It Be album…

Here is how wikipedia describes this time in Paul’s life: “Following John Lennon’s announcement in a band meeting on 20 September 1969 that he wanted a “divorce” from the Beatles,Paul McCartney withdrew to his farm in Campbeltown, Scotland. Author Robert Rodriguez describes his frame of mind as: “brokenhearted, shocked, and dispirited at the loss of the only job he had ever known”.

McCartney’s period in seclusion with his family coincided with widespread rumours in America that he had died – an escalation of the three-year-old “Paul Is Dead” conspiracy theory. The rumour was broken only by journalists from BBC Radio and Life magazine tracking him down at his farm, High Park.

How Paul Felt At The Time!

Here is how Paul describes this time in his life:

“I nearly had a breakdown. I suppose the hurt of it all, and the disappointment, and the sorrow of losing this great band, these great friends … I was going crazy.”

“McCartney” Track By Track!

Here’s a look at the album:

It begins with the :43 seconds of “The Lovely Linda” – which prepares listeners for an album full of short fragments – short stories in a way…this performance of “The Lovely Linda” was only intended as a test of the new equipment, it was included as the opening track, complete with the sound of McCartney giggling at the end of the recording!

“That Would Be Something” and “Valentine Day” are next, the latter one of three selections on “McCartney” that Paul says he “ad-libbed on the spot”, leading to one of the most beautiful songs Paul has ever written:

“Every Night”

This McCartney classic continues to be played widely today, a gorgeous song that feels light and carefree – fascinating when you consider Paul’s mood at the time.

Here is a live version from “MTV Unplugged” in 1992:

“Hot as Sun/Glasses”, “Junk” and “Man We Was Lonely” finish up the first side of the record, with “Junk” being a beautifully ballad…

“Oo You” is the first song on side two of the album.

This song reminds me of “I Got A Feeling”, with Paul offering up a blues riff and a great bit of guitar playing…

“Momma Miss America” is next, followed by another song originally written as a Beatles song, “Teddy Boy” – here is the original version that was finally released as part of The Beatles Anthology project:

“Singalong Junk” follows, basically “Junk” without vocals, which allows you to appreciate what a beautifully written tune it is….and then comes the album’s classic song:

“Maybe I’m Amazed!”

The album’s masterpiece is “Maybe I’m Amazed”, as pure a McCartney classic as he ever wrote – and one of many love songs written directly to Linda.

Here is a terrific live performance of the song, performed during the 1976 Wings tour:

“Kreen-Akrore” finishes up the album…

The Beatles React!

Fans were angry at the time, thinking that Paul had caused the breakup of The Beatles.

McCartney’s former bandmates also voiced their disappointment with the album. Shortly after its release, Harrison described “Maybe I’m Amazed” and “That Would Be Something” as “great”, but the rest, he said, “just don’t do much for me”.

“Rubbish!”

In a December 1970 interview with Rolling Stone editor Jann Wenner, Lennon dismissed McCartney as “rubbish” and expressed a belief that his primal therapy-inspired album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band would “probably scare [McCartney] into doing something decent”!

Time has, of course, been very kind to “McCartney”.

In 1999, Neil Young inducted McCartney into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and praised McCartney, saying:

“I loved that record because it was so simple. And there was so much to see and to hear. It was just Paul. There was no adornment at all … There was no attempt made to compete with the things he had already done. And so out he stepped from the shadow of the Beatles.”

Paul continues to play many of the songs in concert, and much of the shorter, more experimental music on the album inspired his project like Twin Freaks and The Fireman.

McCartney’s terrific “Archive” series came out with a bunch of great bonus material to go along with a remastered version of the album:

Disc 2 – Bonus tracks – All previously unreleased

“Suicide” (Out-take) – 2:48
“Maybe I’m Amazed” (From One Hand Clapping, 1974) – 4:53
“Every Night” (Live at Glasgow, 1979) – 4:30
“Hot as Sun” (Live at Glasgow, 1979) – 2:27
“Maybe I’m Amazed” (Live at Glasgow, 17 December 1979) – 5:11
“Don’t Cry Baby” (Out-take) – 3:07
“Women Kind” (Demo) (Mono) – 2:09

Disc 3 – DVD
“The Album Story”
“The Beach”
“Maybe I’m Amazed” (Music video)
“Suicide” (From One Hand Clapping, 1974)
“Every Night” (Live at the Concert for the People of Kampuchea, 1979)
“Hot as Sun” (Live at the Concert for the People of Kampuchea, 1979)
“Junk” (MTV Unplugged, 1991)
“That Would Be Something” (MTV Unplugged, 1991)

McCartney would waste no time getting back into the studio to release another masterpiece:

“Ram” was also derided upon release, but stands as one of his greatest solo albums…here is a look at this recording of the album, and his bitter feud with John Lennon:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/08/20/macca-ram-on-paul-mccartneys-masterpiece-john-lennons-fury-a-beatles-c-c-c-catfight/

Of course, The Beatles never reformed, and this movie showed the last time they ever played together:

Here is a look at the amazing documentary film “Let It Be”, including the infamous “rooftop” live performance by the band…

http://johnrieber.com/2013/04/06/let-it-be-the-beatles-lost-documentary-londons-live-beatles-rooftop-concert/

And if you just can’t get over the breakup of The Beatles, I’ve got something for you!

Here is a book that imagines the group never broke up, and shows what their solo music would have looked like as Beatles albums!

Click my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/03/03/exclusive-the-lost-beatles-album-the-fab-fours-solo-songs-remixed/

Let me know what you love about “McCartney!”

“Hello, Honey!”

One picture. One iconic name: Honey Ryder. The FIRST Bond Girl! As she said at the time:

“This bikini made me into a success. As a result of starring in Dr. No as the first Bond girl, I was given the freedom to take my pick of future roles and to become financially independent.”

Time To Celebrate Ursula Andress – Nicknamed Ursula “Undress”!

Ursula Andress is a Swiss film Actress who has appeared with some of Hollywood’s all-time biggest stars, including Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley!

But she will also forever be known for this:

007’s First Bond Girl!

Andress achieved instant stardom in 1962 when she emerged from the water as Bond girl Honey Ryder in the first James Bond film, “Dr. No!”

Here is the scene from “Dr. No” when Sean Connery sees his first “Bond Girl”:

A Dubbed “Andress!”

Here is some great trivia: Ursula’s Swiss accent was so strong that her dialogue was dubbed – that’s not even her voice in the film! Still, it didn’t keep her from stardom. As Andress said:

“This bikini made me into a success. As a result of starring in Dr. No as the first Bond girl, I was given the freedom to take my pick of future roles and to become financially independent.”

And so she did, moving on to a series of big hit films with Hollywood’s biggest stars!

Andress co-starred with Elvis Presley in the 1963 musical “Fun in Acapulco”, and then moved on to another of America’s most popular singers!

Address also starred with Frank Sinatra, Anita Ekberg and Dean Martin in “4 for Texas” – and she also dated James Dean shortly before his death…

Ursula “Undress!”

Now, let’s discuss her nickname: how she earned it, and what she thought of it!

In 1965, Ursula Andress posed nude for Playboy – in what would be the first of eight times she posed for the magazine!

So THIS Is How She Earned Her Nickname!

Address appeared nude in a number of her movie roles, and posed for many pictorials, including one where she re-enacted her “Dr. No” pose – minus some wardrobe…

She was asked once why she had agreed to do the Playboy shoot – here is her succinct reply:

“Because I’m beautiful.”

OK then, within a few years she had earned her the nickname “Ursula Undress!”

Her film and TV work slowed down as she got older, but in 2006, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Swiss Consulate General in Scotland, Andress celebrated her 70th birthday on board the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh in the company of an international crowd of celebrities.

Here is an article looking at her life now, still turning heads at 79!

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/625780/Ursula-Andress-ultimate-original-bond-girl-where-is-she-now

Of course, Andress was just the first of many Bond girls – some who actually helped the movie plots, many of whom were wasted window dressing…some feel that this was the most beautiful Bond girl of all time!

Claudine Auger starred with Sean Connery in the fourth Bond film, “Thunderball” – also using the film’s beach locations to her benefit.

You can read more about Auger’s filmography, including one of Italy’s best giallo thrillers!

http://johnrieber.com/2015/12/18/sexiest-bond-girl-ever-sex-kitten-claudine-auger-james-bond-and-giallo-horror/

Another “Bond Girl” wasn’t in any of the official 007 movies, but in a spoof of Bond that was a smash hit in the late 60’s!

Barbara Bouchet was a “Bond girl” in the camp film “Casino Royale” – read more about it here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/04/29/classic-sex-kitten-james-bonds-sexy-co-star-barbara-bouchet/

And since we are on all things “James Bond 007” – time for one of the biggest film debates of all time:

Who is the best 007? Who was the worst James Bond? Well, you can weigh in by clicking here!

http://johnrieber.com/2013/09/24/his-name-is-bond-james-bond-the-best-007-ever-the-worst-film-fight-club-begins-now/

For many, the best part of a Bond movie is the theme song – and we all know which one was the all-time best:

Paul McCartney and Wings rocked “Live And Let Die” to new Bond heights…but what is your favorite? Click here to vote – just don’t click “yes” for Madonna!

http://johnrieber.com/2013/11/05/rock-on-007-the-best-and-worst-james-bond-theme-songs/

And let’s take a moment to tip our hat to the first “Bond girl” ever!

“1986. Beer. Priest. Videocamera.”

Thirty years ago, filmmakers John Heyn and Jeff Krulik filmed Judas Priest
fans in a concert arena parking lot in suburban Maryland. Thirty years later,ﾠ Heavy Metal Parking Lot is hailed as one the greatest rock documentaries ever.

Here is the trailer – see for yourself!

Welcome to The “Heavy Metal Parking Lot!”

What a fascinating short film – a time capsule of a very specific time: spandex, big hair, denim, mullets, muscle cars, and beer – lots and lots of beer!

This 17-minute film “Heavy Metal Parking Lot” has led toﾠsequels, screenings, concerts, a reality-TV series, and fan-generated films – and now, 30 years later, the film offers even more!

The film itself is only 17 minutes long but this DVD has over 2 hours of extras!

The release includes a “Where Are They Now?” section with Zebra man and others who are in the short film.

Also included are outtakes, tributes, and other great stuff!

You can also go to the film’s official website to see much more as well:

http://www.heavymetalparkinglot.com

I love documentaries about music – as well as documentary films that capture a “moment in time” – as “HMPL” certainly does…if you are interested in this type of film, check this out!

The Clash – “Rude Boy!”

The seminal punk band The Clash played themselves in a fictional film called “Rude Boy!” It was the story of a Roadie who worked for the band and wanted fame for himself…

What made the film so great is that the band was filmed while on an actual Clash tour – and they put the fictional Roadie on stage to film scenes! So what you see in “Rude Boy” is an actual Clash tour – at the height of the punk rock movement!

You can see much more about this classic film by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/03/09/the-clash-is-live-rude-boy-iconic-punk-music-meets-classic-cult-movie/

Leave a note and let me know if you’ve ever seen “Heavy Metal Parking Lot!”

A Musical Farewell To The Eagles!

Following the tragedy of Glenn Frey’s death, Don Henley has announced that The Eagles are no more.

I saw the band in 2013 as they performed their great “History Of The Eagles” tour, but with Frey’s untimely death, the band is no more. During a recent interview in London, Don Henley said goodbye to the Eagles.

Henley called the band’s mid-February Grammy appearance “the final farewell.”

“I don’t think you’ll see us performing again,” he added. “I think that was probably it. I think it was an appropriate farewell.”

The Grammy’s Farewell To Glenn Frey!

The Eagles performed their first big hit, “Take It Easy”, on the 2016 Grammy Awards show in honor of Frey, with the song’s writer, Jackson Browne, taking the lead. Original Eagle Bernie Leadon performed as well.

Surprisingly, there isn’t an official Grammy release of this performance, all I could find is one recorded off the screen by a fan:

The Eagles Farewell – “Long Road Out Of Eden!”

Henley’s announcement means that “Long Road Out of Eden” will be the seventh and final studio album by The Eagles, released in 2007..

“Long Road Out of Eden” was the first new studio album from the Eagles since 1979’s “The Long Run”.

The only other Eagles songs released between that time were the four original tracks on 1994’s live “Hell Freezes Over” album…the title of course a play on what Frey said would happen before the band ever performed together again!

As you can see from the track listing, the first four songs were new, then the rest were live performances…the band also released two other songs – “Hole in the World” in 2003 and “One Day At A Time” in 2005.

In 2007, Eagles fans were excited to have a double album of new material, which produced two singles on the Hot Country Songs charts as well as five straight hits on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts. Let’s look at the highlights of “Long Road Out Of Eden!”

“No More Walks in the Wood” is the first song, a beautiful ode to nature, with perfect Eagles harmonies…then, it’s right into the album’s first hit single, the raucous “How Long”:

“How Long,” was written by the band’s good friend J.D. Souther – who had previously worked with the Eagles co-writing some of their biggest hits including “Best of My Love,” “Victim of Love,” “Heartache Tonight” and “New Kid in Town”. The band performed the song as part of their live sets in the early to mid-1970s, but did not put it on an Eagles album because J.D. Souther wanted it on his first solo album!

Busy Being Fabulous:

The ballad “What Do I Do with My Heart” is next, then Joe Walsh shows up with “Guilty of the Crime”, followed by “I Don’t Want to Hear Any More”…

The Gorgeous “Waiting In The Weeds!”

The next song is one of Don Henley’s best. No music video was made for this song, so a fan did a beautiful job of taking Eagles imagery and putting it to this gorgeous song…which the band wisely let play out over seven minutes….

“No More Cloudy Days” and “Fast Company” are next, then a beautiful and political call to action followed – “Do Something”!

Don Henley told Billboard magazine in 2007 that “‘Do Something’ is an interesting song because it starts out like a love song, a boy/girl song, but then it takes on larger implications. And that line (“How did we get on this road we are traveling?”) could pertain to a relationship between a man and a woman or it could be a statement about the country as a whole.”

Glenn Frey ends side one with his song “You Are Not Alone”…

Side two begins with the band’s scathing indictment of our country’s role in the Middle East with the album’s title track: “Long Road Out of Eden”…

Here are some of the lyrics to this ten minute song:

Back home i was so certain
The path was very clear
But now i have to wonder: “what are we doing here?”
I’m not counting on tomorrow
And i can’t tell wrong from right
But i’d give anything to be there in your arms tonight

Weaving down the american highway
Through the litter and the wreckage and the cultural junk
Bloated with entitlement, loaded on propaganda
And now we’re driving dazed and drunk

Been down the road to damascus,
The road to mandalay
Met the ghost of caesar on the appian way
He said, “it’s hard to stop this bingeing, once you get a taste.”
“but the road to empire is a bloody stupid waste.”

Behold the bitten apple – the power of the tools
But all the knowledge in the world is of no use to fools
And it’s a long road out of eden….

What immediately followed is “I Dreamed There Was No War”, written by Glenn Frey, and the instrumental won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance:

“Somebody” and “Frail Grasp on the Big Picture” were next, followed by one of my favorite Joe Walsh songs, “Last Good Time in Town”…

“I Love to Watch a Woman Dance”, “Business as Usual” and “Center of the Universe” follow before the album ends with the prescient “It’s Your World Now” …

At the time of the album’s release, there was a bit of controversy since the band made an exclusive deal with Wal-Mart to sell it…but the double album was only $10, which was an amazing value for fans!

The album debuted at #1 in the U.S. and won the band two Grammy awards for “How Long” and the instrumental “I Dreamed There Was No War”. The album became the band’s sixth #1 album and was the highest selling album of the year!

February 1974 — The members of The Eagles stand against a wall. The Eagles were the most popular band of the seventies and their reunion tour in the nineties was also very successful. — Image by © Henry Diltz/CORBIS

It was a “long road” indeed for the band, who began in the 70’s and were still going strong…here is a look at how the band got started:

The Birth Of The Eagles! Linda Ronstadt’s Back-Up Band Had A “Peaceful Easy Feeling!”

The band created so much great music – this was one of my favorites:

“On The Border” introduced Don Felder to fans, and had the band’s first #1 song, “Best Of My Love.” See more here:

http://johnrieber.com/2016/03/14/on-the-border-the-eagles-say-hello-to-don-felder-goodbye-to-glyn-johns-don-henleys-brilliant-1-best-of-my-love/

For lucky fans, the “History Of The Eagles” concert tour was the last chance to see them together live:

You can see my review of the concert here – including clips from the show:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/09/21/history-of-the-eagles-amazing-concert-old-friends-return/

Let me know what your favorite song was on “Long Road Out Of Eden!”

“We Did The Whole ‘Beatlemania’ Thing.”

“I thought it was the biggest mistake we could have ever made”

Two Utopia band members with polar opposite reactions to the most polarizing Utopia album ever released!

A 36-Year Celebration Of Utopia’s Classic – And Controversial – “Deface The Music!”

Time to look at one of the most inventive pop albums ever released – and the album that many feel derailed Utopia’s drive to the top of the music charts!

“We Did The Whole ‘Beatlemania’ Thing.”

That’s how Todd Rundgren described “Deface The Music”, one of Utopia’s most polarizing albums – and an album that deserves a re-discovery by music lovers!

Todd has always been a Beatles fan – and included covers of “Rain” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” on his solo album “Faithful.”

Here is a live version of “Strawberry Fields” – Todd performs with the Bella Electric Strings at his Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp in November 2013:

Special thanks to John Meanor for posting this on YouTube….

Todd’s love of the Fab Four manifested itself in 1980 with an entire Utopia album of “Beatle-infused” songs that actually created a lot of tension within the band.

The “Road” To Utopia!

The story of “Deface The Music” is ultimately about a lot more than just music. The album marks a pivotal time in Utopia’s history, a time of great success and ongoing frustration.

Most fans of Todd know about the two biographies that are available that offer an in-depth look at all aspects of Todd’s life.

“A Dream Goes On Forever” by Billy James, with research by Tony Rogers, does a great job telling the story of Todd’s solo music, while his “Vol. 2” focuses on the Utopia years.

Fans of the group know that Todd’s record label was never supportive of the group’s musical efforts, and the books document that in some detail.

That’s what intrigued me about the band, and their relationship as musicians. I was taken with the adversity the band endured – some self-inflicted, but much caused by a record label that didn’t support their music.

We can all recite a laundry list of Utopia songs that should have been hits, beginning with “The Wheel” and “Love Is The Answer”, and leading to some of the last songs released by the group such as “Cry Baby”, “Mated”, “Secret Society” and “If I Didn’t Try.”

“Vol. 2” of the Billy James biographies delve into the struggles the band had in getting record label support from the very beginning, and one album stands out as the most divisive in group’s career.

Todd “Defaces” The Music!

36 years ago, Todd Rundgren and Utopia released “Deface The Music”, an upbeat and energetic celebration of The Beatles. It certainly had a sense of humor, as evidenced by the “Outstanding In Their Field” photo on the back cover!

However, it was the timing of the album’s release that has divided Utopia fans since 1980.

The Billy James book gives an inside look at the making of the album as well as the dissension that the album caused within the band. The book is surprisingly honest and raw, as Utopia band members Willie Wilcox, Roger Powell and Kasim Sulton discuss what it was like to be in Todd’s shadow, especially when it came to the “Deface” project.

“I thought it was the biggest mistake we could have ever made” is how Kasim Sultan described the album years later.

Willie Wilcox was even more vocal. “It was a really stupid thing to do,” he said flatly.

More “Adventures In Utopia!”

These Utopia band members discuss how happy they were with the success of “Adventures In Utopia” – their biggest selling album ever. The album was a huge critical and commercial success for the group, making it all the way to #32 on the Billboard charts!

Here is the band performing their hit single “Set Me Free”:

For Utopia fans, the hit single “Set Me Free” and the collection of great songs suggested that more great Utopia music was on the way.

It was at that time, however, that Todd decided to use Utopia to make a Beatles tribute album next…and the resulting album, “Deface The Music” brought the band’s momentum to a crashing halt.

Alice Cooper’s “Music” Inspiration!

Here’s how the project got started.

“‘Deface The Music'” was something we did as a reaction to a response that one of our songs got”, Todd revealed years after the album was released.

Todd was referring to a song he wrote for the Alice Cooper / Meatloaf film “Roadie”. That song was “I Just Want To Touch You”, which ultimately opens the “Deface The Music” album. Todd wrote it as a fun, catchy single for the movie, but the film’s Producers decided not to put in the movie!

The reason seems shocking today, but they feared The Beatles would sue them because of the similarities to the Beatles hit “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”.

Todd was inspired by the song’s sound and decided to pay homage to The Beatles – writing songs that evoked the Fab Four’s tunes throughout various stages of their career.

The “Vol. 2” book spends a fair amount of time discussing how Todd’s decision wasn’t popular with the other band members, and how the poor reception for “Deface The Music” was a “career killer” for the group. And while there was a lot of great Utopia music still to come, as a band they never regained their “Adventures” momentum – and the book captures the resentment that caused among the band.

The biography also has interviews with record execs who freely admit they never wanted Utopia’s music, and tried to convince Todd to just release more Todd solo albums! Clearly, the odds were stacked against the band.

Critical Acclaim And Commercial Failure…

There is also another terrific book about Todd and his music. “A Wizard A True Star: Todd Rundgren In The Studio” by Paul Myers is an in-depth look at Rundgren’s work in the studio, both on his own music as well as the work of other artists such as Meatloaf, Patti Smith and more. This outstanding work also digs into the recording of the “Deface The Music” album.

As Myers writes, the band was “shocked” when Todd revealed his idea for the album.

The rest of the band wanted to record more songs in the style of “Adventures In Utopia” to capitalize on that album’s success, but Todd wanted to try something different, and the band reluctantly went along.

As I pointed out before, both Sultan and Wilcox thought the album was a big mistake for the band,

Willie Wilcox, however, also noted how good the album was, as he is quoted in the book as admitting:

“From a business or a fan base perspective, going to a Beatle album was very confusing. I have to say, though, from a musicians perspective you only care that the band’s making good music and there are some great songs on “Deface The Music.”

Time To “Deface The Songs!”

Todd’s entire career has been one of experimentation, with little regard for the commercial realities of the music business.

Fans have always accepted this part of his career, and fans of Utopia also saw that side of Todd. But what ultimately matters is the music, and that is where the band shines.

The thirteen songs on “Deface” are some of the best power pop the band ever produced.

“I Just Want To Touch You” – beginning with a screaming harmonica, Utopia announces their love of “Beatlemania” with the song Todd wrote originally for “Roadie.”

Here is the single, infused with every ounce of “Beatlemania” they had!

It’s got the energy and enthusiasm of “Beatlemania” at its peak, but it’s presented through Todd’s unique creative filter, and it’s a terrific way to begin the album.

“Crystal Ball” – the raucous, “shake your head” vibe of this song fits perfectly in The Beatles early career, almost an “Eight Days A Week” style that also evokes Todd’s “Wolfman Jack” song from “Something/Anything?”

“Where Does The World Go To Hide” – this song actually feels like a Beatles B-side, the kind of catchy tune that the band wrote with ease. In this case, it feels like another great Todd song that he wrote with ease as well.

Here is a live version I found on YouTube – just audio with images to cover:

As you can hear, the band is having fun performing these songs!

“Silly Boy” – This sounds a lot like early Ringo, one of the songs that McCartney and Lennon would routinely write for the drummer.

“Alone” – here is one of the album’s “single that should have been” – it’s a gorgeous, up tempo ballad with a hint of “a twist” – this feels like an outtake from “Rubber Soul”

“That’s Not Right” – Another “Eight Days A Week” vibe, after The Beatles were confident songwriters, knocking out catchy hit singles with seemingly no effort.

“Take It Home” – In the 80’s, Utopia mastered the musical genre of pure power pop. Perhaps if this song had been released on a different album, it would have charted as well, as it’s a slice of pop nirvana.

The song has a clear “Day Tripper” vibe running through it , like a song you love immediately because it feels like you’ve already heard it.

“Hoi Poloi” – this is Utopia’s fun parody of the 60’s “sound”….and could easily have fit on “Sgt. Peppers”…and you can see that the songs pay homage to the sound of The Beatles, but also have a distinct sound on their own as well.

There was only one video from the album, but here is the audio of the next song, “Life Goes On”:

“Life Goes On” – this could also be off of “Sgt. Pepper”, with the strings evoking “Eleanor Rigby” , with a story being told in evocative lyrics

“She was the pride of her dad
But she harbored a secret in her bureau drawer
And when the news was too bad
She would get into trouble with the boy next door
Life goes on whether or not there’s a reason
Life goes on, enter another season
Life goes on, the world keeps turning and life goes on
Life goes on, the world keeps turning and life goes on”

“Feels Too Good” – One of the most upbeat songs on “Sgt. Pepper” was “Getting Better” – and here is that vibe channeled clearly through the Todd filter:

“Feel too good to go to work today
I need a little more time so I can stay this way.
Let’s go for a ride on the Circle Line?
Couldn’t you use a day in the sunshine…
Feel too good
Can’t let the little things bother me
Because I feel too good…”

“All Smiles” – here’s a straightforward pop song that is short and sweet, and could have been written for “Magical Mystery Tour”

“Always Late” – this song feels like Paul McCartney’s sequel to “Fool On The Hill”, driven simply by a piano

The album ends on the most intricate song, Todd’s clear homage to the song he covered on “Faithful”:

“Everybody Else I Wrong” – here is “Strawberry Fields Forever” through Todd’s creative filter, the minor chords of John Lennon’s songwriting put through Todd’s imagination:

“At the edge of the world
The sun pouring down
We must be heading home
I completely agree
I’ve just been waiting for the right words to come along

Everybody else is wrong
Doesn’t everyone concur, oh no
Thank you for the vote of confidence
I feel so much surer now that
Everybody else is wrong”

Re-evaluating “Deface The Music!”

The thirteen tracks on the album were full of great hooks, gorgeous melodies and Utopia’s tight musicianship. Ultimately, no one can say whether Utopia would have achieved more fame had the band done an obvious sequel to “Adventures In Utopia”, but 35 years later, the album is still one of Utopia’s best!

Even with the controversy within the band, and some confusion on the part of fans, the reviews were good for “Deface The Music”:

Cream magazine called the album “the band’s best album ever – it’s one of the best pop albums of the year, something few critics bothered to mention while pulling Beatle quotes out of it like silly school kids.”

“Allmusic.com” called it “a swift, brutally funny and insanely catchy send-up of the Fab Four’s entire career… it feels more like a burst of cynical joy that is damn near impossible to resist.”

And Wilson&Alroy’s Record Reviews called it “a weird footnote in a great band’s career.”

Give it another spin and re-live a quirky yet important album on the “road to Utopia!”

Todd Rundgren and Utopia also created some of the catchiest power pop songs of the 80’s, and you can see them here:

http://johnrieber.com/2015/09/02/todd-rundgrens-power-pop-the-finger-snapping-story-of-a-pop-music-sound/

I told you about the Todd bio books, which are fascinating and in-depth…

You can read all about them here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/06/04/todd-rundgrens-new-musical-state-his-new-tiki-iniki-bar-todds-incredible-bio-books/

Finally, I may have annoyed true Utopia fans once when I suggested that a brilliant album of Todd songs were embedded throughout Utopia’s catalogue:

Here is an album full of classic Todd songs that were released on Utopia albums:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/09/06/todd-rundgrens-lost-solo-masterpiece/

Leave a message and let me know what you think of “Deface The Music!”

Check Out These “Man Eager” Girls!

These provocative words describe the cult Clint Eastwood film “The Beguiled!” The classic trailer explains more!

A Unique Love Story Of Pain And Pleasure!

Welcome to the world of “The Beguiled!” This forgotten cult film from 1971 is unique in a number of ways, and is now getting a high profile remake!

Clint Eastwood stars as Corporal John McBurney, a wounded Civil War soldier nursed back to health by a boarding school full of women! This erotic thriller includes conversations like this:

Martha Farnsworth: If the pain gets too great, I’ll ask Hallie to bring you some (wine).
Cpl. John McBurney: Well, this does seem like a good occasion, and I would love some wine.
Martha Farnsworth: It was offered for your pain, not for your pleasure!
Cpl. John McBurney: To be sure, ma’am. It’s just that sometimes the two go together.

As you can imagine, the erotic tension builds scene after scene, as Eastwood “heals”, and begins to woo the “love-starved” and “man eager” women…

Bring On More “Beguiled!”

“The Beguiled” is a classic cult erotic thriller with a great ending, and guess what? It’s due for a big budget remake!

Sophia Coppola, who directed Bill Murray in “Lost In Translation”, has announced that she is remaking the film, and here is her cast: Nicole Kidman, Elle Fanning, and longtime collaborator Kirsten Dunst will star in her remake. Fanning will play a student, Dunst will play one of the teachers, and Kidman will play the headmistress.

No word yet on who will play Clint’s role, and no doubt that Coppola will add a unique feminine perspective to the material…whoever stars in the film will have a big pair of shoes to fill!

Of course, Coppola made one of the best films about Tokyo EVER:

I have been to Tokyo, and I love “Lost In Translation”…click here to see why:

http://johnrieber.com/2015/08/30/lost-in-translation-the-magic-of-bill-murrays-tokyo-neon-magic-shibuya-to-you-too/

Coppola will be making “The Beguiled” soon, and she can learn a lot by following what the original Director did – because he was a legend!

“The Beguiled” Director Don Siegel!

Coppola is also stepping into big shoes: “The Beguiled” was directed by legendary moviemaker Don Siegel!

Siegel made five films with Eastwood, including “Escape From Alcatraz”, and the Director also made John Wayne’s final film, “The Shootist”.

Don Siegel’s Classic “Dirty Harry!”

Siegel’s most famous film with Eastwood is no doubt “Dirty Harry”, the classic action thriller about a deadly sniper being tracked through San Francisco by “Dirty” Harry Callahan…

The film is known for so many classic moments, and iconic dialogue like “do you feel lucky punk? – and you can read all about them here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/01/24/the-greatest-70s-action-films-ever-biggest-stars-with-the-biggest-guns/

Siegel’s directing career also included such classics as “Invasion Of The Body Snatchers” and a cult Walter Matthau thriller called “Charley Varrick.”

Matthaue was best known as a comic Actor, but in the 70’s he starred in a number of gritty action thrillers…see them here!

Bank Robbers And Bus Massacres! Charley Varrick! The Laughing Policeman! Walter Matthau, Action Star!

Siegel and Eastwood had a great working relationship, and when Clint made his directing debut, Siegel was right there with him…

“Play Misty For Me!”

Eastwood’s directorial debut in 1971 was the classic thriller “Play Misty For Me” – Clint plays a radio DJ who has an obsessive fan – and yes, there are plenty of similarities between it and the 1987 classic “Fatal Attraction!”

Here is a scene with Don Siegel playing a bartender, who Clint hangs out with – and that’s Jessica Harper as the fan who stalks Eastwood…it’s an interesting film, one of my favorites from the 70’s…see more here!

http://johnrieber.com/2011/12/11/classic-70s-cinema/

Leave a message to let me know what you think of Sophia Coppola’s plan to re-do “The Beguiled!”

“You have to understand,” Ed McMahon once explained. “Every day, no matter what else is going on in his life, he has to come out there and be Johnny Carson.”

Imagine meeting the biggest name in late night TV, Johnny Carson – and meeting him like this!

“What was I doing here? I was a graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School! I had sworn an oath to uphold the law, not violate it, and breaking and entering in the state of New York was a felony. As if sensing my panic, Johnny looked over at me.

“Don’t worry, kid”, he said reassuringly. “Nothing’s going to happen to you. Trust me.”

And with that, young Lawyer Henry Bushkin goes along as Johnny Carson breaks into his wife’s secret love nest, surrounded by men who are carrying guns.

Now THAT’S how to start off a celebrity memoir!

Bombastic Bushkin’s Inside Look At Johnny Carson!

Henry Bushkin was Carson’s lawyer and confident for two decades – and he shares amazing stories about life with the “King of Late Night”!

Johnny Carson was one of America’s most beloved Talents, and he ruled the late night airwaves for decades…and Bushkin was right there with him.

First, the excerpt from the book above is amazing: Bushkin is with Carson as Johnny and his “friends” enter his wife’s love nest! A great story in a book full of them!

You get all of the inside stories about Johnny’s tough negotiations with NBC – and you get a LOT of inside stories about some of his female friends…

Bushkin relates a hilarious story about Johnny’s pursuit of Joyce DeWitt, the star of “Three’s Company” – and yes, Johnny was married at the time!

Pushkin became famous when Carson began to refer to him on-air as his Attorney “Bombastic Bushkin”, who advised him to get into such “sure fire” money-making ventures as “Orson Welles Designer Jeans”, “Crazy Glue Toothpaste” and “Club Med Beirut”!

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 14: Henry Bushkin visits SiriusXM Studios on October 14, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images)

The Battle For Johnny’s Oscar Seat!

Bushkin had to handle all of the details for every Carson appearance, such as when the Host acted as Emcee at the Inauguration of Ronald Reagan in 1980, and getting Carson’s then-wife Joanna to the Oscars on time – Johnny hosted the Academy Awards many times and was considered the best Host of all time.

One year, Johnny’s wife Joanna was running late, and when they finally arrived at the show – just moments before the live event was to begin, there was trouble!

“Suddenly, there was a problem. There were people in our seats. Kids – Jane Fonda’s kids! She was an Oscar winner and was attending the event to see her father, Henry Fonda, receive an honorary Oscar. She only had two tickets, but she didn’t want her kids to miss this, so she planted them in our seats.
“I’m sorry, but these are our seats” I said, brandishing our tickets. “You have to move them!’
“I’m not moving anybody now!” she replied with all the tenacity of a Hollywood princess who had grown into an award-winning excercise=company millionaire and Hollywood-family diva’ “The shows’ starting! Go sit down before you embarrass yourself on national TV!”

The “Bushkin” Backlash!

I loved the book, and felt that Bushkin was honest, candid and willing to take the blame for many personal mistakes he made during the years with Carson as well…that said, there has been backlash to the book:

“The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” host Johnny Carson (C) poses with band leader Doc Severinsen (L)and sidekick Ed McMahon, in an undated photo. REUTERS/NBC/Handout

Longtime “Tonight Show” Bandleader Doc Severinsen was asked about the controversial tell-all book on Carson, and he didn’t hold back.

“I know Henry Bushkin and I knew Johnny Carson,” Severinsen said this week, choosing his words carefully and making what appear to be his first public remarks about the book. “And the idea that anybody would ask any single person to write a book about Johnny Carson and have it be Bushkin is beyond disgusting.”

If you want to only remember the best parts of “TV Johnny”, then this is for you:

“Heeere s Johnny!!”

There are number of ways to enjoy classic Johnny, but this huge box set on Amazon is one of the best!

This Definitive DVD Collection includes the following: 1. Timeless Moments: Capturing Johnny at his best, these 6 DVDs include classic Carson characters, The Mighty Carson Art Players, guest stars, favorite comedians and more. Timeless Moments was previously only available to Carson Club members and is now only available through the Heeere’s Johnny collection. 2. The Original Ultimate Collection: The 3 DVD collection that started it all! From the 60 s to the 90 s, this best selling collection features 7 hours of Johnny s favorite moments from three decades of The Tonight Show. 3. Stand-Up Comedians: Featuring a virtual who s-who of the funniest comedians ever to appear on The Tonight Show. Laugh along with Johnny and enjoy 20 classic stand-up routines. 4. Carson Country: Great music, hilarious tall tales and homespun humor on this one-of-a-kind collection of country legends.

And if all of this whets your appetite for late night talk show stories, there is no better one than the intrigue that surrounded Johnny’s replacement!

The Late Shift!

This huge bestseller by Bill Carter chronicled the behind-the-scenes corporate battle surrounding Johnny Carson’s 1992 retirement as host of The Tonight Show. The book detailed the power struggle between David Letterman and Jay Leno to succeed Carson as the “King of Late Night”…with the infamous scene when Jay Leno hid in a closet to listen in on the NBC debate over who would get the coveted job!

HBO made a great film based on the book as well…it was one of the most fascinating behind-the-scenes battles for late night of all…well, until THIS happened!

“The War For Late Night”!

Bill Carter followed up with another incredible book about the late night wars! “The War for Late Night: When Leno Went Early and Television Went Crazy” is his 2010 non-fiction book that chronicles the conflict surrounding the American late-night talk show The Tonight Show involving Conan O’Brien and Jay Leno.

Jay didn’t want to get pushed out, so he got pushed into prime time – but soon Conan was pushed out altogether! A fascinating look at the debacle surrounding The Tonight Show…where is Johnny when we need him?

Let me know what you think of America’s true “King Of Late Night!”

RIP Garry Shandling!

The entertainment industry was shocked by the sudden death of Comedian Garry Shandling. It caused an outpouring of grief among some of the biggest names in the business, but for those who aren’t as familiar with Shandling’s impact on entertainment and comedy, here are some highlights from his career I wanted to share.

Shandling began his career as a writer on shows like “Sanford and Son” and “Welcome Back, Kotter”.

His breakout moment, like so many others, was thanks to the “King Of Late Night”, Johnny Carson.

Shandling made his standup debut on “The Tonight Show”, and he wowed Johnny, leading to incredible success. Here is an appearance on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson in 1981:

As you can see, Shandling had impeccable timing, and hilarious jokes. Johnny loved him, and Shandling was for a time considered the leading contender to replace Carson!

Its Garry Shandling Show image

In 1986, he created “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” for Showtime. This was a time when cable offered very few original shows, and Shandling’s unique approach to comedy was hilarious.

The show was a huge critical success, and was nominated for four Emmy Awards. Among the many groundbreaking aspects of the show was that Garry routinely broke the “fourth wall” and spoke directly to the audience during the show!

Here’s a promo for “It’s Garry Handling’s Show”:

The Brilliant “Larry Sanders!”

In 1992, Shandling turned his eye toward hosting his own late night talk show…not as a Host, but as the creator and star of “The Larry Sanders Show” – where he played a fictional late night talk show host!

“Hey Now!”

One of the most iconic lines in television has become “Hey Now!”, the catchphrase used by Larry’s on-air sidekick, Hank Kingsley…that part was brilliant played by Jeffrey Tambor…here is a great clip from the show when Larry asks Hank about the origin of the phrase!

Hank Kingsley is a “spot on” parody of Johnny Carson’s sidekick Ed McMahon – taken to it extreme. In fact, on one episode, Ed dropped in and the two sidekicks did a “Hey Now!” and “Hey-oooooh!” duet that was classic.

Here are some of Hank’s best moments from the show:

Rip Torn, Jeremy Piven and Janeane Garofalo were also members of the ensemble. Shandling was nominated for 18 Emmy Awards for the show and won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 1998, along with Peter Tolan, for writing the series finale.

Big name stars loved to come on the “fake” talk show, because they could show you what it was like behind-the-scenes. Here is a classic moment from season one when Robin Williams was a guest…in this scene, his guest appearance is marred by an off-screen fight between Larry and Hank:

“I Saw Your Balls”!

Legendary Comedian Carol Burnett also had a hysterical cameo…the set up was simple: she was appearing as a Guest, and came in early to shoot a skit…it didn’t go well – you see, Larry was playing Tarzan, and his outfit was a bit TOO revealing, as Carol reveals to Larry during a commercial break:

Shandling produced a “best of” DVD set that included a ton of great new material, and told candid stories about the show…it’s a terrific series that is worth seeking out!

During his 3-decade career, Shandling was nominated for 19 Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, along with many other awards and nominations. He also served as host of the Grammy Awards four times and as host of the Emmy Awards three times.

The Kings Of Late Night!

I love this picture: Carson with his two “heir apparents”, Jay Leno and David Letterman, with a fictional late night Host between them! “Larry Sanders” was an insightful and hilarious look at the cut=throat world of late night talk…

In real life, it was even MORE ruthless! If you want to read more about the battle to succeed Johnny Carson as the “King Of Late Night”, click here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/04/07/bombastic-bushkins-fascinating-johnny-carson-book-late-night-talk-show-wars/

Shandling’s work will live forever as soon of the most hilariously inventive comedy ever made…RIP Garry!

The Best Lois Lane Of All Time!

With a new Superman film out, I want to look back at the best Lois Lane of all, Margot Kidder!

The Actress has had many big hits in her career, and a series of personal setbacks as well – but her body of work deserves some credit, so let’s get to it!

Kidder began her career in the 1960s, working in TV and film, and modeling as well…

Kidder was one of Hollywood’s most free-spirited new sex kittens, at a time when a new permissiveness was underway in the entertainment industry…

She appeared in Brian De Palma’s thriller “Sisters” in 1973, and then starred in the shock classic “Black Christmas” the following year.

Kidder was terrific as the caustic friend who helps Olivia Hussey search for a missing sorority sister. You can read all about this horror classic here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/11/28/the-last-christmas-black-christmas-its-a-horrific-grindhouse-holiday/

Kidder’s winning streak at the movies continued with her role in “The Amityville Horror”…

These roles were great, but she achieved her biggest success starring as Lois Lane in the classic “Superman” films with Christopher Reeve.

Cinema’s Best Lois Lane!

Kidder’s quick wit and “tough as nails” demeanor were the perfect foil for Reeve, and the chemistry between the two stars was perfect for the material…

The first two “Superman” films in the 80’s are considered by many to be the best superhero films ever made…and much of that credit goes to Kidder’s feisty performance…

Kidder’s Rough Stretch…

According to wikipedia, the Actress has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which led to a widely publicized manic episode in April 1996. She disappeared for four days, and was found in a back yard by a homeowner and was taken by Los Angeles police to Olive View Medical Center in a distressed state. She was later placed in psychiatric care. In 2007, Kidder said that she had not had a manic episode in 11 years.

Kidder has since worked in numerous films as well as numerous television series and also starred in Rob Zombie’s 2009 film “Halloween II.”

Margot Kidder in her home for Celebrity Home Kathryn Kates story.

In 2015, she won an Emmy Award for her performance in the children’s television series “R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour.”

Congrats to Kidder – fans are happy to see her rebound and shine again!

Unfortunately, many Hollywood stars can’t overcome their personal demons…

The Shocking Tale Of Jan-Michael Vincent!

This 70’s star of such films as “Big Wednesday” and “The Mechanic” is now struggling, and had one leg partially amputated – you can read this story here:

Jan-Michael Vincent! From 70’s Sexiest Man To A “True Hollywood” Tragedy!

Another star from the late 60’s also fell from grace…

June Fairchild starred with The Monkees in their movie “Head”, but ended up on LA’s skid row!

You can read more about this tragic Hollywood story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/03/20/sex-kitten-june-fairchild-from-stardom-to-skid-row-a-starlets-shocking-death/

I am so glad that Kidder overcame her troubles and is having great success today!

The review at the time of this album’s release said it all:

“demonstrates his command of the studio, unfurling his falsetto over a kaleidoscope of rock genres”

Time to dig into one of the greatest albums ever released, the epic four-sided majesty of:

Todd Rundgren’s “Something / Anything?”

Talk about hitting your stride quickly!

“Something/Anything?” was only Todd’s third solo release, but it was stuffed to the gills with music! “S/A?” was recorded in late 1971 in Los Angeles, New York City and Bearsville Studios in Woodstock. Three quarters of the album was recorded in the studio with Rundgren playing all instruments and singing all vocals!

Rolling Stone voted it one of the 500 greatest albums ever released – a double album that stands alongside Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and Led Zeppelin’s “Physical Graffiti” as the best double albums of the 70’s…

Todd’s Musical “Second Nature”!

There are many fascinating stories surround the “Something / Anything” album. As Todd told Paul Myers for the terrific book “A Wizard A True Star: Todd Rundgren In The Studio”:

“By the time I had got to ‘Something/Anything’, my songwriting process had become almost two second nature. I was writing songs formulaically, almost without thinking, knocking out a song, reflexively, in about twenty minutes.”

This book is a must for Todd fans, and it dives deep into every album Todd worked on in the studio…let’s take a listen to the majesty of “S/A!”

Side one begins with “I Saw the Light”, which Todd told Myers:

“Songs like ‘I Saw The Light’…just came out of me in one piece a very short time.”

The first side of the album is the most perfectly realized collection of power pop ever released: beginning with the hit single “I Saw The Light”, followed by another hit, the soulful “It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference.”

Here is “I Saw The Light” performed by Todd on his latest solo tour, in Beverly Hills in January 2016…

More than 40 years on, Todd’s voice is flawless.

To see my entire review of this incredible show, click on my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/01/07/todd-rundgren-rocks-beverly-hills-todds-2016-tour-reviewed/

The next song is Todd’s brilliant “It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference”, one of his most beautiful ballads…here is a great live performance from 1997:

Next, Todd unveils the pure power pop of “Wolfman Jack” – the song is jagged, raw, feisty and fun – and well ahead of the power pop phenomenon that would take hold in the late 70’s and early 80’s…

Todd’s musical output in the 70’s and early 80’s was clearly ahead of its time…here’s a look at some of his power pop classics:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/09/02/todd-rundgrens-power-pop-the-finger-snapping-story-of-a-pop-music-sound/

“Cold Morning Light”, “It Takes Two to Tango (This Is for the Girls)” and “Sweeter Memories” round out side one – all perfectly formed pop hits…which leads into Todd having a bit of fun to begin side two:

Side two has the funny “Intro” – where Todd gives you an audio tour of the studio and of common producing mistakes, then right into an instrumental, “Breathless”, and then the beautiful, haunting ballad “The Night the Carousel Burnt Down”.

Here is a music video created by a fan:

Special thanks to “qwerty2009ful” for posting this on YouTube!

That’s a picture of the double album’s interior – the many facets of Todd on this album…”Saving Grace”, “Marlene”, “Song of the Viking” and “I Went to the Mirror” close out side two, “Mirror” having very much an icy, “Nine Inch Nails” vibe…

Side three begins with one of Todd’s best rockers, with a screaming guitar solo: “Black Maria” – here is Todd performing the song on his most recent tour, when I saw him in Beverly Hills:

“One More Day (No Word)” is a gentle calypso-infused song, and another of Todd’s classic power pop rockers is next:

“Couldn’t I Just Tell You” is perfect power pop!

Here are Todd and Utopia performing the song live on “The Midnight Special” from 1974:

What a great performance!

“Torch Song” and “Little Red Lights” close out side three, the “traditional” sides of “Something / Anything?”

Time To Get Live!

The final side of “Something / Anything?” is fascinating: the songs are performed live in a studio without any overdubs! Among the Musicians sitting in with Todd are fellow Utopian Moogy Klingman, Guitarist Rick Derringer sits in for a song, Trumpeter Randy Brecker – a founding member of Blood, Sweat & Tears also played on the Record Plant sessions…an eclectic mix of musicians for what is an eclectic mix of songs!

Side four begins with “Overture–My Roots: Money (That’s What I Want)/Messin’ With The Kid”, then goes into a song that Klingman wrote – “Dust in the Wind”: here is a great live version that Todd and Utopia performed in 2011 to help raise money for Klingman:

All Rose Kicks Up “Dust!”

Here is some fun trivia: Guns ‘n Roses were huge Todd fans: Axl Rose declared in a 1989 Rolling Stone interview that:

“Today, my favorite record is Todd Rundgren’s Something/Anything”!

Here is a great video I found on Youtube, Guns ‘n’ Roses covering “Dust In The Wind”:

“Piss Aaron” is next, and I only recently heard what the song was about – and I heard it from Todd himself!

The recent release of Todd’s BBC performances in the 70’s includes a video of him explaining the story behind “Piss Aaron” – you can see it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/03/23/todd-rundgren-live-at-the-bbc-utopias-pyramid-climb-a-decade-of-brilliant-music/

Up next is a song that was originally recorded for Nazz, a much more somber version that Todd doesn’t even sing on!

The Brilliant “Hello, It’s Me!”

It’s arguably his best-known song, and one of the greatest songs ever written: “Hello, It’s Me” was also Todd’s biggest hit single, reaching #5 on the Billboard charts!

Todd is clearly having a blast in the studio, as he leaves a bit of chatter and warm-up as part of the song…

He has performed “Hello It’s Me” many times over the years, including with backing from Hall & Oates and Stevie Nicks on his “Back To The Bars” double live album…and here he is playing it again flawlessly on his most recent tour:

His voice is absolute perfection!

“Some Folks Is Even Whiter Than Me” and his ode to the danger of groupies, “You Left Me Sore” are next, before “S /A” closes with “Slut.” That last song, by the way, was actually recorded at a different session with original Utopians Tony and Hunt Sales.

So there it is, four sides of epic Todd music!

“Something / Anything?” was released in February of 1972, peaking at number 29 on the Billboard charts and was Todd’s first gold record, and still his best-selling album of all time!

Rolling Stone Raves! Todd’s Brilliance Endures!

In a review, Rolling Stone said the album:

“demonstrates his command of the studio, unfurling his falsetto over a kaleidoscope of rock genres”.

The critical acclaim of “Something / Anything?” has only grown over the years! In 2003, the album was ranked number 173 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time!

Todd Talks “Something”!

This great interview clip was uploaded on Sep 2, 2010 – it’s Part 3 of Rundgren’s Timothy and Sharon Ubben Lecture at DePauw University, in Greencastle, Indiana.

I love listening to Todd sharing his creative process. Of course we all know that “S/A?” was also something of a curse:

“AWATS” Must Wait!

Next up of course would be “A Wizard A True Star”, but the record company forced Todd to hold it so they could continue to release hit singles from “Something / Anything?”

The reaction to “AWATS” was very mixed at the time, but now, it is considered a masterpiece as well…you can read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/08/23/a-genius-a-true-star-todd-rundgrens-musical-influence-awats-re-appraised-more-todd-mojo/

Let me know what you think of this “S/A?” retrospective!

Oops, I Think I annoyed “The Duke!”

John Wayne, aka “The Duke” was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars…and I made him angry with a story I wrote that looked at the changing face of Hollywood westerns…

Time To Get Some “Action A Go Go!”

If you aren’t familiar with the terrific site “Actionagogo.com”, it’s chock full of great movie stuff: all the latest news, reviews, previews and analysis of film, plus a big section for commentary and perspective as well….including mine!

John Wayne’s Wild West Gets A Bloody Nose!

The Editors at “Actionagogo.com” asked me if I wanted to share any stories about movies, and of course I said yes!

I had been thinking about how the classic Hollywood western had changed – and when it changed…I found my answer with two classic films – one an Oscar winner, the other the most violent film ever released by a major movie studio:

John Wayne won an Academy Award as Best Actor for “True Grit” – and THIS film was originally rated “X” when it was reviewed by the motion picture board:

John Wayne’s Bloody Nose!

I wrote about these two films and what they meant in 1969, I hope you check it out!

Here is the link to my story – please let the folks at “Action A Go Go” know what you think!

http://actionagogo.com/2016/04/11/john-waynes-wild-wild-west-gets-a-bloody-nose/

Of course, I love westerns, a genre that lives on today…here is another one of my favorites:

If you want some more to check out, click on my story here as well:

Grab Your Six-Shooter! True Grit! Clint Eastwood! Bob Dylan! Classic Westerns!

Leave me a note and let me know what you think of the “Action A Go Go” story – thanks!

Could You See Yourself Living Here?

Yes, this idyllic island location is looking for new residents! Imagine waking every single day of your life looking at this:

It is a bit difficult to get to, and for some “castaways”, a life in the South Seas was NOT what they wanted!

An Amazing South Seas Rescue!

This story really is amazing: three people were rescued from a deserted island when they spelled out “HELP” in palm fronds on the beach! According to CNN, “the trio became stranded on Monday after a wave swamped their 19-foot skiff, which had set out from the Micronesian island of Pulap. They then swam to the uninhabited Fanadik Island, about 2,600 miles southwest of Honolulu!”

Luckily, they had life vests, and made it to the deserted island, where they were spotted by the Coast Guard thanks to their smart decision to put an SOS on the beach! Read the whole story here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/help-palm-fronds_us_57095c8ae4b0836057a16dde

Now, some people WANT to escape to paradise, and one South Seas island is looking for those folks! However, before you head to the legendary Pitcairn island, the real “Mutiny On The Bounty” island, you need to know a few things:

Serpent In Paradise by Dia Birkett

Here is a book that tells an amazing story of adventure – as Writer Dia Burkett fulfilled her dream of moving to paradise – THIS PARADISE!

This is the fascinating story of the Author’s move to paradise – Pitcairn Island, the real-life location for “Mutiny On The Bounty.” But what she found was FAR FROM PARADISE….

Here is the genesis of her idea to escape to paradise, from the Author’s website:

“I was sitting in the darkened cinema at the Elephant and Castle, central London, watching the film The Bounty, starring Anthony Hopkins as Captain William Bligh and Mel Gibson as mutineer Fletcher Christian. It was drizzling outside; my mood was as dreary. The story of youthful rebellion unfolded before me on the screen. Fletcher Christian led his cast of mutineers against the authoritarian Captain Bligh, casting him over the side of the ship. Ten months later, Christian and his mutinous crew, together with a handful of Tahitian men and, most importantly, women, landed on Pitcairn Island to found a new Utopia.”

“As the credits for the film rolled, the words came up on screen, ‘ . . . his descendants live on Pitcairn Island to this day.’ When I emerged into the dark street and it was still drizzling, I resolved to leave for Pitcairn Island.”

Of course, getting to paradise can be an arduous experience:

“Pitcairn has no airstrip, and the only way to reach it is to hitch a lift on a cargo vessel working the route from Panama Canal across the South Pacific. It took two years of planning and persuasion to eventually land on this uttermost end of the earth. And what I found was not a living Paradise, but an outcrop of Hell. Serpent in Paradise is the story of that slow revelation.”

Birkett’s story is an amazing adventure – and a tropubling look at paradise – one that shuns outsiders, and has some very dark secrets…after the book was published, half the men of the island were convicted of sexual abuse against children. Mayor Steve Christian was found guilty of five counts of rape against minors. Vanity Fair had a chilling article about this, and Birkett has written about it as well…this is a terrific memoir.

Here is a link to the entire story of the sexual abuse trial in Vanity Fair:

http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2008/01/pitcairn200801

This is a shocking story, and there are other accounts of the trial in print elsewhere…you would think this story, and Pitcairn’s isolation, would make the idea of visiting almost impossible to imagine.

Believe it or not, they now WANT you to move there!

Perhaps as a result of the horrible publicity as a result of the trial, Pitcairn is now seeking visitors and residents!

The island is serious about this, so I’m sure there are people who will take a gamble and make the move! You can see more about the process of making this your new home by checking out the official government website here:

http://www.immigration.gov.pn

Pitcairn Island is the site of the legendary “Mutiny On The Bounty”, which was made into a movie starring Marlon Brando:

Brando fell in love with the area, and ended up buying an exotic resort in the South Seas:

If you want to see this paradise getaway, click on my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/12/19/sleeping-with-marlon-brando-sleeping-with-fishes-amazing-travel-escapes/

If you just like to live vicariously through others, you can also read this amazing true story:

A “Faraway” Adventure!

I’ve written many stories about Lucy Irvine’s life, including her year on a tropical island in the south seas…”Faraway” tells an incredible true story of a family that lived in the middle of nowhere…read about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/03/13/living-in-paradise-with-cannibals-incredible-faraway-south-seas-adventures/

This part of the Pacific ocean is so isolated, it’s amazing that our “castaways” were ever seen!

Leave a message and let me know if you’d start a new life on Pitcairn Island!

Time To Get A Taste Of “Dolemite”!

I love exploitation movies, and one of the more outrageous entries in the film genre known as “blaxploitation” is getting a loving blu-ray restoration!

How can you NOT love a film with this instantly iconic dialogue?

Time For Some “Dolemite!”

Check out the trailer for this “Blaxploitation” classic from 1975:

Rudy Ray Moore is “Dolemite”, an ex-con out to settle some scores…Moore was known as the “King Of The Party Records” for his profane albums in the 60’s and 70’s…here is just one example of his raunchy X-rated catalog:

With a huge fanbase due to this comedy records, Moore decided to become a movie star, and his character “Dolemite” was immediately revered as one of the more outrageous entries in the “blaxploitation” category…

Bravo once again to the cult home video company Vinegar Syndrome for offering a beautifully remaster copy of this blaxploitation classic, restored in 2k from a newly discovered 35mm negative!

The new blu-ray comes with a ton of other great extras as well!

Here is the best option: this new blu-ray includes two framing options for the film: the intended 1.85:1 widescreen version and an alternate full frame ‘boom mic’ version. What does that mean?

Lowering The Boom!

That’s right, you can watch the original film which includes all of the camera crew equipment accidentally seen in the shot, like this boom much overhead!

While “Dolemite” might not be technically perfect, it is a classic slice of “blaxploitation”, a genre of film that needs to be appreciated!

Also on the new blu-ray release:

• “I, Dolemite” making-of documentary.
• “Lady Reed Uncut” featurette.
• “Locations: Then & Now” featurette.
• Historical commentary track by Rudy Ray Moore’s biographer, Mark Jason Murray.
• DOLEMITE – theatrical trailer.
• THE HUMAN TORNADO – theatrical trailer.

That’s right, they include the trailer for Moore’s sequel, “The Human Tornado!”

As always, the Mondo Digital website has a terrific review of this new blu-ray, which includes complete information on ALL of the bonus extras that come with the movie:

http://www.mondo-digital.com/dolemite.html

Bravo once again to Vinegar Syndrome for rescuing a classic film for the ages! You can see all of their releases at their website!

https://vinegarsyndrome.com

If you aren’t familiar with the “blaxploitation” genre, this should help:

“Shaft” is probably the most renowned in the genre, but there were many others…read them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/08/23/dolemite-hit-man-shaft-iconic-blaxploitation-stars/

Of course, the genre wasn’t limited to films about guys:

Pam Grier Rules!

Pam Grier is also a “blaxploitation” legend, with a number of classic films – you can read about them all here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/09/06/studly-superfly-sexy-sheba-blaxploitations-sexiest-stars-pam-grier-shaft/

The “Godfather” of the genre is the legendary Melvin Van Peebles, who exploded on the scene with his incendiary classic:

“Sweet Sweetback’s Badass Song” has been re-released on a blu-ray special edition as well and is well worth checking out…see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/01/23/rated-x-by-an-all-white-jury-the-incendiary-sweet-sweetbacks-badass-song-blaxploitations-brilliant-godfather/

Among the other classic films in this genre is one that co-starred a very young but hilarious Richard Pryor:

Read all about “The Mack” here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/04/25/the-mack-sweet-sweetback-blacula-blaxploitation-lives/

And leave me a message to let me know what you think about “Dolemite!”

“One Of These Nights!” The Eagles Hit #1 – And Then Meltdown!

You know the lyrics – EVERYONE knows these lyrics!

One of these nights
One of these crazy old nights
We’re gonna find out
Pretty mama
What turns on your lights
The full moon is calling
The fever is high
And the wicked wind whispers
And moans
You got your demons
You got desires
Well, I got a few of my own

One of rock’s catchiest songs…and “demons” and “desires” were tearing at the band!

The Meltdown Around The #1 Eagles Album “One Of These Nights!”

Coming off their first #1 hit single the previous year, The Eagles were poised to soar…they did, but that didn’t keep the band from melting down anyway! Here is the behind-the-scenes story of their brilliant, fractured album “One Of These Nights!”

From Blue Jeans To Three Piece!

See the image above? Those were The Eagles after the release of “On The Border”, which included their first ever #1 single “Best Of My Love”…blue jeans and laid back…now look at this image:

Perhaps this portrait shows how the band had dramatically changed…this is the back cover of their next album, “One Of These Nights” – they went from slackers to a band that was polished, refined, dressed sharp for success…it was bound to bring the fractured relationship behind the scenes to a head…let’s take a look!

“One of These Nights” was the band’s fourth album, released in 1975. The record’s title song became the group’s second No. 1 single – The Eagles were on a roll.

The band was coming off their first #1 single – “Best Of My Love” from the breakout album, “On The Border” – an upbeat, aggressive and sometimes caustic album full of great songs….you can see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/03/14/on-the-border-the-eagles-say-hello-to-don-felder-goodbye-to-glyn-johns-don-henleys-brilliant-1-best-of-my-love/

Don Felder had joined the group during the recording of “Border” to add more aggressive guitar to the band’s sound. Coming off that album’s success, the group put together another collection of hit singles, including the title track – which quickly became their next #1 hit!

Let’s celebrate with a live version of “One Of These Nights”, a song that captures everything that made the band so great: catchy hooks, incredible harmonies, and terrific lyrics.

Here is a live version from 1977:

The title track includes one of the best falsetto sections with Randy Meisner, who performs similar duties on “Take It To The Limit”. But as Glenn Frey and Don Henley state on the excellent Eagles documentary “The History Of The Eagles”, Meisner began to push back on performing some of these songs, and it alienated him from the powerful duo.

Glenn Frey and Don Henley wrote four of the nine songs by themselves, and they also collaborated with other members of the band on three other songs. Most of these were written while Frey and Henley were sharing a house in Beverly Hills, including “One of These Nights”, “Lyin’ Eyes”, “Take It To The Limit” and “After The Thrill Is Gone” – all big smash hits for the band – the duo were on a creative tear!

Some Great Don Henley Quotes!

Discussing the album with Writer Cameron Crowe at the time, Don Henley called the album their “satanic country-rock period” because:

“It was a dark time, both politically and musically” in America. Henley was referencing the Watergate scandal AND disco! He added:

“We thought, “Well, how can we write something with that flavor, with that kind of beat, and still have the dangerous guitars?” We wanted to capture the spirit of the times.”

Here is another of the album’s smash hits, “Take It To The Limit”:

The song includes a beautiful falsetto by Randy Meisner, but his reluctance to sing these songs live was causing a big rift between him and the band.

“The History Of The Eagles” is a fantastic documentary, honestly and candidly recounting all of this strife…you can read more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/09/21/history-of-the-eagles-amazing-concert-old-friends-return/

And Meisner wasn’t the only band member having issues with Henley and Frey.

Bernie Leadon also alienated himself from them with his two songs: the psychelic “Flight Of The Sorcerer” and his love song, written with Patti Davis, the daughter of Ronald and Nancy Reagan.

“I Wish You Peace” is a beautiful song, but Henley HATED it, and hated that Davis was part of it.

The band was in meltdown.

As you can see from the image on the album’s back cover, this was a more polished Eagles band…and side two led off with one of the band’s greatest stories ever…

“You Can’t Hide Your ‘Lyin’ Eyes’!”

“Lyin’ Eyes” was another big hit for the band, and a classic slice of Eagles storytelling…a young woman married to a rich older man – and the illicit affair that Henley and Frey saw at a restaurant!

There is a great story about how the duo wrote the song after imagining that a beautiful young woman in a bar where they were eating had “Lyin’ Eyes”…you can read the whole story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/01/19/glenn-freys-greatest-song-lyin-eyes-the-true-story/

“After The Thrill Is Gone” is another Henley/Frey hit…with lyrics that could have spoken directly to the tension in the band…

They weren’t the only band members with a caustic pen…

“I wish you peace when the cold winds blow “

Bernie Leadon may have been writing the same thing, and his ballad “I Wish You Peace” wasn’t written with Henley or Frey – he wrote it with Patti Davis, the daughter of Republican then-Governor of California Ronald Reagan!

Here is how Henley later described the song:

“smarmy cocktail music and certainly not something the Eagles are proud of”.

Henley was also annoyed that Davis received cowriting credit, and told a reporter:

“Nobody else wanted [the song]. We didn’t feel it was up to the band’s standards, but we put it on anyway as a gesture to keep the band together.”

0 R

Here is the audio of the song, which is much more beautiful than the other band members were willing to give it credit for:

According to wikipedia, Frey said that “One Of These Nights was the most fluid and “painless” album [they] ever made”. He may have been referencing his work with Henley, which was superlative.

However, Leadon wrote three of the nine songs on the album, and none of them were hit singles. He was openly unhappy with the direction the band was taking. Leadon’s country-influenced music didn’t fit the more rock-focused direction of Henley and Frey…

The “Direction” Was Toward The Top Of The Charts!

Even with Leadon unhappy about the band’s direction, the album was a smash hit! There were three Top 10 singles, and the album was the band’s first #1 album!

“One Of These Nights” was nominated for Album of the Year, “Lyin’ Eyes” was nominated for Record of the Year, and the band won for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals!

“One of These Nights” turned out to be Leadon’s swan song. He left the group, replaced by one of rock’s wild men, Joe Walsh!

Walsh, Joe

The Eagles Have A New Look!

“Life’s Been Good” for Joe Walsh, whose manic personality and on-stage electricity brought even more energy to the band, and what lay ahead would change rock music forever – but that’s the next chapter in the story…

Let me know what you think!

“That’s Sexploitation” – Cinema’s Greatest Genre Is “Docu”-mented!

Fans of cult movies have a reason to rejoice – the “Godfather of Grindhouse Documentaries” is here!

Yes, even THIS “Psycho Cat” is happy about it!

First, check out this trailer – safe for work – yet also full of what makes “sexploitation” one of the most hilarious genres ever committed to celluloid!

There are so many scenes in that trailer that showcase what an “anything goes” genre of film “sexploitation” was!

Here is how the terrific website “Mondo Digital” describes the company behind this amazing documentary “That’s Sexploitation!”:

“You’d be hard pressed to find a company more responsible for creating exploitation video addicts than Something Weird Video, which started off as a grassroots VHS seller in the ‘80s but exploded into an incredible resource for sexy, scary gems either absent from movie screen for years or, in many cases, never seen at all!”

Yes, the terrific cult video distribution company “Something Weird Video” rescued films like “The Defilers” from obscurity. The review goes on:

“From there the company started racking up the catalogs of names like Harry Novak and Doris Wishman, not to mention the remaining H.G. Lewis titles, while also churning out countless volumes of loops (sexy short films) ranging from nudie cuties to vintage hardcore.”

Movies like “Forbidden Love” were classic “grind house” films – movies that played the grungiest theaters in America, like these on New York’s 42nd street:

I’ve posted many stories about these legendarily seedy movie theaters from the early 70’s, and you can read more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/11/23/sex-violence-grindhouse-have-a-purient-holiday-an-exploitation-gift-guide/

When Something Weird announced they were doing a documentary about this time in film, I knew it would be great!

Frank Henenlotter is the director of the cult classic “Basket Case” – another film that was part of the Something Weird brand – and “Frankenhooker”, a modern homage to “grind house” cinema. As Mondo Digital reports:

“His involvement with the company and friendship with the Vraney family included the beloved line of “Frank Henenlotter’s Sexy Shockers from the Vault” series, one of the company’s high points in its VHS prime, in addition to solidifying its voice by writing the vast majority of the incredibly witty and catchy copy for their releases.”

Henenlotter directed “That’s Sexploitation!”, and he had total access to the Something Weird catalog…this amazing new documentary also has a ton of extras! Here’s the product description from Amazon:

“From director Frank Henenlotter (BASKET CASE, BRAIN DAMAGE) and co-producer Mike Vraney (the late founder of Something Weird Video) comes the epic documentary critics call fascinating (Video Watchdog), titillating (Time Out Los Angeles) and jaw-dropping (Seattle Weekly): Henenlotter and legendary exploitation monarch David F. Friedman in his final film appearance are your hosts for this eye-popping expedition through the world of pre-code peekaboos, stags, sex-hygiene films, goona-goonas, nudie-cuties, roughies, druggies, white-coaters and more, featuring thousands of spicy clips from the SWV archives. And if that’s not enough. the Bonus Features include an additional 3+ hours of rare loops and shorts from five decades of Sexploitation history!”

Special Features on the Blu-Ray include:
Over 3 1/2 Hours of Sexploitation Shorts From The Something Weird Archives
Audio Commentary With Director Frank Henenlotter And Something Weird’s Lisa Petrucci
Trailer

I have mine pre-ordered so I can dig into this movie the day it comes out!

You can read Mondo Digital’s whole writeup of this incredible documentary here:

http://www.mondo-digital.com/sexploitation.html

And bravo to “Something Weird” for their passion for great cult films!

Sadly, SWV Founder Mike Vraney passed away two years ago, and I posted an homage to him here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/01/07/something-weird-wild-wild-cinema-celebrating-a-weird-genius-rip-mike-vraney/

I have also posted many stories about the “sexploitation” genre, films with provocative titles like this:

How can you go wrong with a movie title like that? Here is a look at some of the wildest movies of the genre:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/02/21/an-exploitation-primer-your-guide-to-the-world-of-classic-cult-spoitation-genres-cult-movies-to-make-you-blush/

There are so many great examples, it’s hard to cover them all – but as you see, they left almost nothing “covered!”

Here are some of the more “pandering” examples of the genre!

https://johnrieber.com/2015/07/20/sexy-bored-housewives-loves-agony-how-to-make-a-bed-classic-ecstasy/

Let me know what you think of this incredible new documentary!

“Loneliness has followed me my whole life, everywhere. In bars, in cars, sidewalks, stores, everywhere. There’s no escape. I’m God’s lonely man.”

One of cinema’s most compelling characters, brought to vivid life by America’s greatest Actor, who also uttered this line:

“Sometimes, it’s not so easy being Fearless Leader.”

Here Are Three Reasons To Love Robert DeNiro, And One BIG Reason To Hate Him!

He will always be considered on of our greatest Actors, with a body of work that got our attention with “Mean Streets” and “The Godfather Part 2″…

DeNiro’s reputation was cemented with his stunning work as Travis Bickle, “God’s Lonely Man” in “Taxi Driver”, which is celebrating its 40th year by holding a special screening at DeNiro’s Tribeca film festival!

TAXI DRIVER – 1976.

Simply put, it’s a masterpiece – and more timely today than ever.

Robert DeNiro is Travis Bickle, an ex-Marine and Vietnam War veteran living in New York City. As he suffers from insomnia, he spends his time working as a taxi driver at night…

Travis Bickle: “All the animals come out at night – whores, skunk pussies, buggers, queens, fairies, dopers, junkies, sick, venal. Someday a real rain will come and wash all this scum off the streets. I go all over. I take people to the Bronx, Brooklyn, I take ’em to Harlem. I don’t care. Don’t make no difference to me. It does to some. Some won’t even take spooks. Don’t make no difference to me.”

Here is the original theatrical trailer:

The film is a modern movie classic, a story of alienation, hatred and revenge…with some of the most searing dialogue ever written, thanks to Paul Schrader:

“Loneliness has followed me my whole life, everywhere. In bars, in cars, sidewalks, stores, everywhere. There’s no escape. I’m God’s lonely man.”

Robert De Niro worked twelve hour days for a month driving cabs as preparation for this role. He also studied mental illness.

“You Talkin’ To Me?”

Of course, the film is best known for this brilliant monologue: and yes, one of cinema’s greatest lines was written by DeNiro himself!

The scene where Bickle is talking to himself in the mirror was completely ad-libbed by DeNiro! The screenplay details just said, “Travis looks in the mirror.”

Travis Bickle: [Travis is trying his guns on the mirror] Huh? Huh?
[Draws]
Travis Bickle: Faster than you, fucking son of a… Saw you coming you fucking… shitheel.
[Reholsters]
Travis Bickle: I’m standing here; you make the move. You make the move. It’s your move…
[Draws]
Travis Bickle: Don’t try it you fuck.
[Reholsters]
Travis Bickle: You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? Then who the hell else are you talking… you talking to me? Well I’m the only one here. Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to? Oh yeah? OK.
[Draws]

The line “You talkin’ to me?” was voted as the #10 movie quote by the American Film Institute, and as as the #8 of “The 100 Greatest Movie Lines” by Premiere in 2007.

This film is absolutely saturated with the streets of New York – as it existed in the seedy seventies!

Taxi Driver (1976)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Shown from left on the set: Jodie Foster, Robert De Niro, director Martin Scorsese

The 40th anniversary screening included a conversation on stage with the movie’s principal cast and crew…it would be fascinating to hear all of them talk about what this film has meant to them, and to our culture…of course, DeNiro collaborated many times since with Director Martin Scorsese, in brilliant films like “Raging Bull” and this criminally overlooked cult classic:

The King Of Comedy!

Scorsese and DeNiro re-teamed on a dark satire that was as prescient about stardom as “Network” was about television!

Check out the trailer:

Jerry Lewis gives an amazing performance alongside DeNiro, in the story of an aspiring comic who develops a dangerous relationship with a late night Talk Show Host, played by Lewis.

A terrific new blu-ray release digs into the movie, including a great “reunion” conversation with many of the film’s participants!

See more by clicking here:

“The King Of Comedy” Goes Blu! Amazing Extras! Scorsese Grills Pupkin!

In the 90’s, DeNiro showed us he could do comedy, playing a bounty hunter who just wants to get to LA by midnight Friday…against ALL odds:

Midnight Run!

This 90’s buddy comedy combined action with hilarious one-liners, and proved how adept DeNiro was at comedy:

Charles Grodin gives one of his best performances as an Accountant who steals from the mob. This classic comedy was also criminally under-appreciated upon release, but now has a great new blu-ray release as well.

See more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/11/28/fistophobia-the-brilliant-but-neglected-buddy-action-comedy-midnight-run/

DeNiro’s movie output increased noticably since the late 90’s…some were great comedic roles like “Meet The Parents”…and some were easy supporting roles like his work in “Silver Linings Playbook”.

However, look at some of these movie titles: “Showtime”, “The Fan” and “Last Vegas” are among the films of the last twenty years that show an Actor clearly working for a paycheck.

But one film stands out as the most egregious mistake he’s ever made – and one that made fans realize his days of “Raging” were over!

“Sometimes, it’s not so easy being Fearless Leader.”

The Disaster Of “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle!”

Except for a big paycheck, it’s impossible to understand why America’s greatest Actor would make this film, based on the television cartoon “The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show”.

Check out the embarrassing trailer:

As you can see, a sad day for all concerned. The animated characters Rocky and Bullwinkle shared the screen with live actors portraying Fearless Leader (Robert De Niro), Boris Badenov (Jason Alexander), Natasha Fatale (Rene Russo).

I’m not really angry at DeNiro – everyone has the right to take a role for any reason…but it’s hard to see the monologue from “Taxi Driver” and then read this one from “Bullwinkle”:

“Have you liquidated Moose and Squirrel? Did you use the CDI? Are you talking to me? Are you talking to me? Then who else are you talking to? Are you talking to me? Well, I am the only one here, so you must be talking to me. And you are lying! Now catch Moose and Squirrel. And next time use the CDI on them.”

Yes, DeNiro’s fearless leader (Robert De Niro) actually says to Boris & Natasha “You talkin’ to me?…There’s no one else here, so you must be talking to me”.

Well, they can’t ALL be classics! As DeNiro says at one point in the film:

“Sometimes, it’s not so easy being Fearless Leader.”

Longevity in the film business is rare, so a career going on 50 years is one to applaud, even if DeNiro’s output now is spotty, to phrase it kindly. I will remember him this way:

Yes, it’s a picture of DeNiro auditioning for “The Godfather!” He missed out on the original, but was of course, Don Corleone in “Part II”…see his audition here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/07/19/the-godfather-screen-tests-robert-deniro-is-sonny-corleone-godfather-trivia/

And Bravo to the creative team behind the brilliant “Taxi Driver!”

Taxi Driver (1976)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Shown from left on the set: Jodie Foster, Robert De Niro, director Martin Scorsese

“I Am NOT Throwing Away My Shot!”

It’s the “Shot” being heard around the musical world…much anticipated Tony Awards, recent Grammy Awards, and now the Pulitzer Prize! It’s the “hip hop history” brilliance of “Hamilton!”

“Hamilton” Smashes Through The Hype!

It’s the story of one of America’s founding fathers – who never became President, is best known for winding up on the $10 bill – even thought nobody knows why…it’s hardly the stuff of Broadway legend, but a legend it is – check out this teaser!

It’s the single hardest ticket to get on Broadway – Hamilton is a most unlikely smash hit – a musical about Alexander Hamilton!

The “Hip Hop History” Brilliance of Lin-Manuel Miranda!

The entire musical was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the origin is already the stuff of legend. While on a vacation from his hit Broadway show “In The Heights”, Lin-Manuel Miranda read the biography of Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow.

Thomas Jefferson’s Got Swagger!

Yes, the man in purple is Miranda’s creative vision of America’s third President, Thomas Jefferson. It was all part of what Miranda created – “The Hamilton Mixtape”, the story of Alexander Hamilton told through hip hop music!

The musical was ultimately titled “Hamilton”, and had its Off-Broadway debut at The Public Theater in February 2015, then moved to Broadway in August 2015 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, becoming an immediate sensation – and has won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Our “Hamilton” Adventure!

On the week the show would win a Pulitzer Prize, we arrived a half hour before the show, and like everyone else, immediately got a shot of ourselves in front of the marquee:

Once inside, you quickly remember that Broadway theaters aren’t very large, built in earlier times…and of course the place was packed to the rafters…

It also felt electric inside: a sense that something special was about to happen, and boy did the show NOT disappoint!

Here are some quick excerpts from a WSJ feature on the show:

I won’t give away anything more except to say that the unique manner in which Miranda tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr and the founding of America is simply brilliant…this show blows away the hype and becomes an instant classic!

“Let’s Go Crazy” With A Prince Tribute!

The night before we saw the show, Prince died tragically, and the cast did a short “homage” to the late great singer….

You can see more videos, hear some music and experience all that is “Hamilton” on their official webpage here:

http://atlanticrecords.com/HamiltonMusic/

Afterwards, the entire audience hung around to soak up the atmosphere and electricity that remained – it is profoundly entertaining and moving – with a unique creativity that is simply unmatched…

We rushed out to get the cast album and re-live the great music from the show…and appreciate the brilliance that is “Hamilton!”

If it makes you want to know more about US history, you can start with this guy:

Yes, President Warren G. Harding loved to point things out, like the fact that he was on of the WORST Presidents of all time, and a horny old guy to boot!

You can read more about his White House sexcapades here:

America’s Horniest President! Warren G. Harding’s Sex Shenanigans In The White House!

And there are many tragedies surrounding the American presidency:

This incredible story documents how White House Doctors killed President Garfield though incompetence! Read it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/09/24/shocking-presidential-history-the-destiny-of-the-republic/

And to leave you on a more upbeat note, I have also included the recipe for President Obama’s beer:

Read more about Obama beer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/09/07/ale-to-the-chief-president-obamas-beer-plus-classic-beer-ads/

Let me know if you’ve seen his masterpiece yet!

Talk About A Tough Lady!

Dressed fully in black and carrying a sharp knife, this is one of the greatest action heroes that America’s NEVER HEARD OF!

Time to share a “J-sploitation” film series that combines action, violence and “women in prison” genres to terrific effect!

This classic Japanese exploitation series follows the adventures of Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion!

“Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion!”

Japanese star Meiko Kaji is Scorpion, and as you can imagine, the movie follows her travails inside a prison!

Check out the great trailer!

Here’s how one website described it:

“Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion contains everything you will find in the remainder of the series, so if you don’t like what you see, venture no further. We are talking soft-core couplings, lesbianism, slapstick prison wardens administering gleeful punishment and lots and lots of blood, usually shooting out jet-stream style from freshly severed limbs. But, seriously, what’s not to like about that?”

“Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41!”

As much fun as “Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion” is, it’s just the beginning!

The second film in the series is considered by many to be the definitive entry. In “Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41” has our heroine recaptured and placed in solitary confinement, before she plans an escape through the bowels of the prison – with six other inmates in tow!

Here is the trailer:

One website claimed that “Jailhouse 41” has even more nudity, gratuitous sadism, acid-tinged fantasy sequences – plus musical numbers and extreme martial arts as well!

Scorpion Gets “Armed!”

Next up is the third film in the series – “Female Prisoner 701 Scorpion: Beast Stable” – as our heroine is free but on the run from the law again…

Here is the classic trailer for the film, which includes her running with a severed arm!

Yes, A SEVERED ARM!

This is wildly inventive moviemaking, operating under the classic exploitation rules: these movies must feature lots of action, nudity, and over-the-top mayhem!

A Final “Grudge!”

The final film in the series, “Female Prisoner Scorpion #701: Grudge Song” has a different Director, and shows a gentler side of our Heroine…and if you want to see all four in all-new remastered editions with tons of great extras, check this out!

Arrow Video is releasing a new blu-ray box set with all four films and tons of great extras, so you can dive into the deep end of the “J-sploitation” pool!

Japanese “pinky” films were wildly popular in the 1970’s, and are legendary for their portrayal of “tough girls” in dangerous situations:

You can see some of the best of the genre here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/05/31/mutant-girls-pinky-violence-sex-fury-and-lady-snowblood-too-japanese-sexploitation-lives/

Even though these films are from the 70’s, the modern era of cinema in Japan includes the genre of “J-sploitation” as well!

One of the more recent films had a very controversial “jiggle” promo, which you can see here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/11/11/the-bikini-game-controversial-japanese-jiggle-movie-promo-new-j-sploitation-film/

The genre is also tongue in cheek, or in this case….

Yes, “Zombie Ass: Toilet Of The Dead” is a classic example of the “J-sploitation” genre, see it here!

https://johnrieber.com/2012/11/06/zombie-ass-yes-japans-wacky-cinema-is-calling-what-the/

You can also check out a ton of great new japanese horror films as well:

This is an amazing genre of film, see the best here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/10/13/yakuza-zombies-bloody-asian-halloween-horror-2015-shocking-japanese-exploitation/

Leave me a message and let me know if you’ve seen any of the “Scorpion” films!

“I think most bands on tour are on the run.”

With these words, Paul McCartney sets the stage for perhaps his greatest album ever – “Band On The Run” – a brilliant album that was as dramatic behind the scenes as the cover suggests!

In 2005, Paul McCartney released his album “Chaos & Creation In The Backyard”, but it was more than 40 years earlier that he released an album that was ALL chaos in the midst of its creation!

First, let’s set the stage for “Band On The Run”:

McCartney’s self-titled solo debut marked the end of The Beatles…here are stories behind the release of this album:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/03/23/paul-mccartneys-simple-classic-mccartney-pauls-solo-masterpiece-rises-from-the-ashes-of-the-beatles/

Next up for McCartney was the only album credited to both him and Linda:

This was a period of heavy fighting between the Fab Four, especially Paul and John Lennon – here are those stories:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/08/20/macca-ram-on-paul-mccartneys-masterpiece-john-lennons-fury-a-beatles-c-c-c-catfight/

Paul then decided to form a new band, Wings:

Their first release was roundly panned by critics and many fans – here is the story of “Wild Life”:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/02/13/paul-mccartneys-wild-life-the-disastrous-debut-of-wings-mccartneys-plea-to-john-lennon/

Paul and his band spent a lot of time on the road, and then released this album:

Many of the songs from “Red Rose Speedway” were actually recorded during the “RAM” sessions…read about that here:

Paul McCartney’s Brilliant “RAM 2!” Wings Soar With “Red Rose Speedway!”

The album included the smash single “My Love”, and the band seemed poised for greatness…until some “chaos” interrupted the “creation”…

As you can see from the back cover, Wings had shrunk – and there is where the amazing story of “Band On The Run” begins…

“Wings” Over Nigeria!

As Wings prepared to record their third album tougher, McCartney asked his record label EMI for a list of all their international recording studios. He selected Nigeria – thinking Africa would be an exotic place to make music. The band began rehearsals in Scotland – Wings were McCartney and Linda, ex-Moody Blues guitarist and pianist Denny Laine, Henry McCullough on lead guitar, and Denny Seiwell on drums.

Unfortunately, things weren’t going well and during one rehearsal, McCullough and McCartney argued, and McCullough quit. Then, Seiwell left a week later, the night before the band was set to fly to Nigeria.

Wings were no more!

Paul’s “Solo” Wings Album!

At that point, things were dire. As McCartney told Word magazine in 2005:

“I was on drums and guitar a lot, mainly because the drummer decided to leave the group the night before and one of the guitar players decided not to come! So we got that solo element into an otherwise ‘produced’ album.”

This left just the core of the band – Paul, Linda and Denny Laine – to record in Lagos, assisted by former Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick. McCartney assumed that Lagos, Nigeria would be a glamorous location where he and the band could lounge on the beach all day and record at night – but boy was he wrong!

McCartney discovered that the studio was awful, and Nigeria was incredibly dangerous and unstable – in fact, Paul and Linda were robbed at knife-point, and a bag with unfinished song lyrics and demo tapes was taken! Talk about chaos!

Still, Paul maintained his positive approach – in fact, look at this original promotional video that McCartney later included on the deluxe remastered album:

The Chaos That Created “Band On The Run!”

So the recording of the album was dangerous, the band was in disarray, and “Band On The Run” is more of a solo album that team effort, which leads to this question: just HOW good is this album?

Shortly after the album was released, McCartney told Melody Maker:

“The basic idea about the band on the run is a kind of prison escape. At the beginning of the album the guy is stuck inside four walls, and eventually breaks out. There is a thread, but it’s not a concept album.”

Asked if this was a reference to Wings escaping from The Beatles, he replied: “Sort of – yeah. I think most bands on tour are on the run.”

Here is the pop masterpiece that is “Band On The Run”.

Here are a newly formed Wings performing the title track live from their 1976 tour:

The title track is one of rock’s all-time greatest songs, and then Paul launches into one of his greatest crowd-pleasing rockers:

“Jet”

Here is a fun promotional video for the song:

The gorgeous ballad “Bluebird” is next, then the fun, upbeat pop song “Mrs. Vandebilt” – so far, side one of “Band On The Run” is flawless, and the last song is no different:

“Let Me Roll It” was considered McCartney’s answer back to John Lennon’s caustic “How Do You Sleep?” – but in an interview with Clash magazine in 2010, McCartney cleared that up:

“‘Let Me Roll It’ wasn’t to John, it was just in the style that we did with The Beatles that John was particularly known for. It was really actually the use of the echo. It was one of those: ‘You’re not going to use echo just cos John used it?’ I don’t think so. To tell you the truth, that was more [about] rolling a joint. That was the double meaning there: ‘let me roll it to you.’ That was more at the back of mind than anything else. ‘Dear Friend,’ that was very much ‘let’s be friends’ to John.”

Here is a great live version of the song, with a much older McCartney still playing great guitar:

Side two continues to deliver great songs:

“Mamunia” is a gentle, upbeat pop song, with a vibe that could feel a bit “African” – then next is the mid-tempo pop song turned mini-rocker “No Words” – McCartney’s songwriting is top notch!

Bring On “Helen Wheels!”

The party rocker “Helen Wheels” was next, the hardest rocking song on the album – with a “Get Back” vibe – but at that time the song was only included on the US release!

Here is the band’s fun promotional video – with Paul playing almost all of the instruments!

“Picasso’s Last Words (Drink to Me)” was next, and then the album climaxed with one of Paul’s greatest rock songs:

“Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five” is the final track, which build to a Beatles-like crescendo before completing a 360 turn back to the title track…here’s the promotional video that was included in the album’s special edition:

So, from start to finish, “Band On The Run” is a masterpiece.

And of course, so is the album cover:

The album cover shows Paul, Linda and Denny plus six other well-known people dressed as convicts caught in the spotlight of a prison searchlight. Here is whose on the cover: Michael Parkinson, British Talk Show Host; British Actor and Comedian Kenny Lynch; the great Actor James Coburn; British Politician Clement Freud; Legendary Actor Christopher Lee, and John Conteh, a boxer who later became World Light-Heavyweight champion.

“Band On The Run” was nominated for Album Of The Year, and won Grammys for Engineering by Geoff Emerick, and best pop performance for duo or group….

“Band On The Run” Gets Even Better!

In 2000, Q magazine placed it at number 75 in its list of the “100 Greatest British Albums Ever”. In 2012, Band on the Run was voted 418th on Rolling Stone’s revised list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

A contemporary review by Jon Landau in Rolling Stone described the album as “with the possible exception of John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band, the finest record yet released by any of the four musicians who were once called the Beatles”.

The great McCartney collection of reissues gives fans a ton of great extras, including live versions of the songs, promotional videos, and a few extra cuts as well!

Let me know what you love best about McCartney’s chaotic masterpiece!