RIP Series - Mort Drucker

Not a rock star, but every bit as influential in my upbringing as rock and roll.....

Mort Drucker   - celebrated artist whose work is best remembered from Mad Magazine movie satires.

He did a few album covers - here's one....

The Bears (PMRC 1987)

The band features Adrian Belew reuniting with some old friends after....

1.  Being discovered by Franks Zappa
2.  Touring with Talking Heads and playing on Remain in Light
3.  Becoming a member of David Bowie's touring band.
4.  Being a full fledged front man in King Crimson.

RIP Series - Little Richard

One the most influential.  First class in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Influenced everyone from The Beatles to Prince.   Showmanship and flash emulated by Bowie and the Rolling Stones.  Modern rock and roll owes him a great debt.

Will It Ever Return to Normal?

Will the live music experience ever return to what it was like before that asshole ate the bat?

I long to Rock and Roll All Night - although probably not with this band.

Spending Lockdown At Home With Some Old Friends

One positive thing about the lockdown is working from home in the same room that houses my records.   I stare at the shelves and think  - 'Oh yeah, this one.'

I usually start the day with things that are conducive to a work environment ('50's jazz, slow funk, Eno ambiance, etc).  Gradually works it's way towards more of a beat (surf instrumentals, Sandy Nelson, etc).  By the end of the day, we're more into this old friend.

The Stooges (Elektra 1969)

....Featuring a baby faced Iggy Pop.  

Contains classics still in the setlist 50 years later - I Wanna Be Your Dog and No Fun. 

Please Make This Stop.....

My favorite local record store is temporarily closed.  All those records stuck inside with nobody to love them.   I miss them and the great guys who run the place (Bob and Tom).  Hurry back.  I'll be first in line.

Walking into a crowded record store is going to be very different in the coming year.  I can't imagine what a record fair will be like.   Online shopping is nowhere near as fun as crate digging.  Besides, I like to keep the shops alive.

Freakbeat is offering up an online presence.   Visit them at http://www.freakbeatrecords.com/   Keep them (and other small businesses) alive.   The big guys will be fine.  Support the little guys.  They give your neighborhood character.