Life is a song...

"Life is a song worth singing. Why don't you sing it?

Only you generate the power, to decide what to do with your life.

You're a fool if you think you're helpless, to control what you do with your life."

Perhaps not the most profound lyrics ever written, but decidedly more poignant when they emerge from the lips of a man whose exceptional tone would be his only salvation through the most trying of times. That man was Teddy Pendergrass.

Of all the dramatic stories in music, few ring more tragic than the story of Philadelphia's thundering velvet voice, for the simple reason that there was no self-sabotage, drug abuse, alcoholism, or mental illness. Much to the contrary, those words printed above would serve as his own personal philosophy.

On March 18, 1982, Pendergrass crashed his Rolls-Royce into a tree. He had broken his neck, crushed his spinal cord and bone fragments had severed some vital nerves. Movement was limited to his head, shoulders, and biceps. Doctors told him that in addition to permanent paralysis, his type of injury usually affected the breathing muscles required in order to sing. "Pendergrass cried until his eyes looked like golf balls" says an article in Life Magazine. Then when he was able to cautiously test his voice and discovered he could still sing, he said, "I knew that anything else I had to do, I could do." And he did.

After intense physical therapy, he returned to the studio to record the album Love Language, featuring the 1984 ballad Hold Me, a duet with a then-unknown young lady named Whitney Houston. Consequently, while some people think he disappeared, he actually continued not only to produce, but was Grammy-nominated for "Best Male R&B Vocal Performance" in 1989, '92 and '94.

Eddie Murphy once joked that he liked dudes with more masculine voices, like Teddy Pendergrass, 'cause Teddy just takes the lyrics and shouts "YOU GOT-YOU GOT-YOU GOT WHAT I NEED!!"

True that his voice was robust, but it's what he chose to do with his god-given instrument that made him outstanding.

Some may remember first hearing his vocals as a member of Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes when he sang the now oft-covered If You Don't Know Me By Now, as well as Wake Up Everybody, and Bad Luck.

As a soloist, Teddy set the standard for sexy bedroom soul, as exemplified by such hits as; Close The Door, Turn Off The Lights, Come on Over to My Place and Love TKO. Consequently, his stage crew assembled an impressive assortment of ladies undergarments.

In 2009, Pendergrass underwent surgery for colon cancer but succumbed on Last Wednesday, January 13, at age 59, leaving behind a legacy of love among his fans.

If you're younger, and thinking that his music is now irrelevant, please just look to artists like Little Brother, Kanye West, Cam’Ron, Twista, Ghostface, Nelly and DMX who have all sampled and covered his works.

So here's my idea, this year for Valentine's day, instead of fighting every other last-minute slacker at the flower store, go get a copy of The Essential Teddy Pendergrass CD, light some candles, put on your cowboy hat and boots (and nothing else), wait for your woman to come home, and sing along to this:

"Close the door. Let me give you what you've been waiting for.

Baby I got so much love to give. I wanna give it all to you."

If she doesn't run out screaming, she's yours.

Speaking of the music of love, my friend Karen at Zoomer media tells me that a new CD is being released today called Moses Presents ZOOMER'S CHOICE: But I Still Believe In Love. (That's Moses Znaimer, not Charlton Heston) Just another great gift idea for Valentine's Day. A new CD of his personal selection of “surefire romantic songs and hurtin’ music guaranteed to get that special someone in the mood”. These songs are described as mellow, moving and meaningful, without the cynicism of much of today’s pop music.

I still recommend the hat and boots.

I leave you all with this link to Teddy, the way those who knew him will always remember him.

R.I.P. Teddy Baby.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54-9Jvq1Li4

Bring On The '10s!

Robert Frost once wrote these words:
"Nothing to look backward to with pride, and nothing to look forward to with hope."

Geez, you talk about a downer. A little optimism Robbie, please. I guess that's what happens when you take the "road less travelled".
When I look at this, our first decade of the entire millenium (if we survive the Al Gore prophecies), I see much to look upon with pride and I am hopeful.
As I examine the music of the last ten years, I wonder by which this era will be defined.

If history is any indication, the years will blur the lines that separate the most poignant artistry with the most carefully crafted diversions. What may be "Bubble-gum pop" today may one day be deemed a classic (I think Justin Beiber's head just exploded).
I fear for the day that I sit in my rocking chair, while the nurse changing my urine bag attempts to relate to me by dicussing the "Classics" of my day. This will inevitably lead to some conversation about how much more insightful the music of Hillary Duff when compared to the likes of Miley Cyrus.
And when we speak of the "saviours of Rock" like The Vines, The Strokes and Arcade Fire, will we be discussing them in the same breath as Jesse McCartney and The Jonas Brothers?
Which acts will stand out as having shaped the 2000s and which will be the influences that mold the future of music for the decades to come?
Rock continues to evolve into harder, louder, and more rebellious forms of Punk, Emo and Post-Neo-Progressive-Alternative-Metallic-Garage-Punk-Funk. That's when two rockers, who are tattooed and pierced from head-to-foot, with distortion pedals on high, use their guitars and drumsticks as weapons by which they fight to the death. (Okay, I made that up, but you can bet someone's pitching this as a reality show as we speak.)
Hip Hop also has few surprises left, so rappers like Soulja Boy will have to invent crazy new slang-engrained hooks so mothers can sing along at bar-mitzvahs, oblivious to the heinous sexual connotations within, while yelling out "Woo-hoo" and "Mazel Tov!".
Here are some of my predictions as the next decade takes shape:
I would like to begin by congratulating Chris Brown for becoming this millenium's first recipient of the "Ike Turner" award. Sure, he apologized, but forgive us for not embracing the "I temporarily lost my temper and accidentally punch and kicked her 78 times" defense. My prediction is that he'll be living with Amy Winehouse sometime soon.
Rihanna: The publicity surrounding her thrashing at the hands of Chris Brown ensured that she, like most battered women, can never return to him without major fan backlash. I expect her to continue making hits through 2020 if for no other reason than to piss him off.
Amy Winehouse: I cannot remember an artist who more quickly entered our zeitgeist with something so artistically sound, only to become her own worst enemy on the road to self-destruction. Thank goodness she gave us her Back To Black album to remember her by, because it would have been depressing if her only legacy was the re-emergence of that beehive hair-do.
Li'l Wayne: The departure of Chris Brown from the scene paves the way for Li'l Wayne whose music is so awesome that there is barely a mention of the fact that he has killed a man, and wears the silently prideful 'teardrop' tattoo as a souvenir. Personally, I would have just gone with the T-shirt that says, "That's right, I killed the bitch.". This has had no effect on his popularity, though. He's winning awards, collaborating with every big name in the biz, and even acting in such "classic" films as Baller Blockin' and Who's Your Caddy?
Note: You may have missed these masterpieces in their mad rush to circumvent the theatres for DVD.
That said, when the music is good, all else is forgiven. Just ask Michael Jackson.
Michael Jackson: What, you thought it was over? Sadly, Michael's death is a rebirth for his family. After all, when was the last time anybody cared what Tito had to say? Now, there's a movie, and a reality show, and they all get to fight over his will, custody of the kids and Bubbles, Webster, 2 giraffes, some marsupial hybrid, and a purple unicorn. The Jacksons will probably open up Neverland to the public. They can open a wax museum featuring different Michaels from childhood right through his various stages of metamorphosis ending in what appears to be Cornelius' wife, Zira, from the original Planet of the Apes.Madonna: It's getting harder to diss Madonna with each passing year because she keeps proving her critics wrong. Her albums and tours always do well, and she always manages to look relatively good. She is certainly in better shape than most 52 year olds I know, but much like Michael Jordan's basketball career, there eventually comes a time when you have to look and say, "You're too old for this", which is why Madonna wisely got into movies. Most people don't realize that Madonna has done over a dozen movies. The reason for that is that most people never see them. Is it because they suck? Yes, but Madonna is succesful because she's smart enough to know when to stop being self-indulgent (i.e. Shanghai Surprise and Evita), and just be a part of something bigger than herself like A League of Their Own. Will she continue to be a teen idol? Probably not, but don't count her out of showbiz. She'll be around and gainfully employed for the next decade at least.
Britney Spears: She either assumes Madonna's throne as the one that continues to reinvent herself and stays on top, or she becomes the next queen of soft-core porn. Actually, not so sure about the "soft-core". My guess is that she doesn't have to resort to that just yet, but don't discount the "accidental" appearance of a mysterious sex-tape with Snoop Dogg or Akon or someone (It worked for Pam Anderson, and those guys are big on collaborations). Britney is no Madonna. She doesn't have the smarts, but she does have the money, and the best producers that that money can buy. She will be okay.
Jay-Z: He will continue to do his thing. He will own the industry, and will continue to branch out into NBA and NFL franchises, clothing lines and technologies. For their 5th anniversary, he will buy Beyonce some extravagant exotic gift like, the Phillipines.
Spice Girls: They reunite, and explain how the answer to what they "really really want" could possibly be to "really really really really wanna zig-a-zig-ah". Stop right there. Thank you very much.
Lady Gaga: She continues making hits, but is never bothered by Paparazzi because no one knows what she actually looks like without the make-up and wig. She is eventually revealed to be Joey Fatone, formerly of N'Sync.
Akon: He eventually shows up on every Hip-hop and R&B album in America, and finally just ends up doing a duet with Barry Manilow (You knew Barry had to be in here somewhere).
Celine Dion: Among the best voices in popular music, she will continue to strive for perfection and will not be satisfied until she gets back to her original body weight of 8 lbs., 6 oz.
Eminem: His talent knows no bounds, but is it me, or is every album becoming angrier and more confrontational? Dude, you're rich. Stop bitching. Alicia Keys: This is my pick to own the decade. She's hot, she can sing, she can actually play and write music, she's hot, she can act and she's hot. All she really needs to do is keep working and stay hot.
Black Eyed Peas: These guys can do no wrong, and Fergie is still going strong after a very succesful, albeit weird, solo project (Fergalicious? Come on.). There's talent and chemistry in this group. Like a succesful marriage, they work well together, but occasionally take separate vacations. They seem to have the right formula for making catchy, commercial hits, so they'll be a hit with teens and tweens for some time to come.
White Stripes: The closest thing to real Rock n' Roll on a commercial level. The talent, the mindset, and the attitude. They are kind of like a modern male/female version of the Ramones in that their approach to writing and recording is about raw simplicity. My guess is that Jack White may end up on his own at some point now that they are divcorced (No, Meg was not his sister), but he seems to have an insatiable need to top their first album, and I believe that despite some pretty great efforts so far, this will drive him to give us something awesome in the '10s.
Kelly Clarkson: For the love of God girl, stop eating! When they told me she was going to be huge, I didn't realize that this is what they meant. This is not about body image. It's about health. She works constantly, and tours, and shows up at every award show, talk show and donut tasting. Kelly, you are rich now. Get a personal chef and trainer so that you can survive this decade and give us more of what we love about you, from the inside. My prediction is, she will heed my words (We're tight like that), and you are going to see a lot "less" of her while she maintains her stronghold over the industry. If only she could just do another movie with Justin Guarini.
Mariah Carey: The clock is ticking on the survival of that last brain cell. Great talent, but she keep her sanity? The odds are not great, but I'll bet that "sex-tape" idea would be great right about now.
As I write this, I realize this should probably be more of a book than a blog, but much like in everyday conversation, I can't help but say something. For that reason, there are many that I have left out, like Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, The Killers, Beyonce, Jamie Foxx, Mary J. Blige, Justin Timberlake, T.I., Leona Lewis, and on and on.....
Please feel welcome to add your comments below.
Happy New Year everybody.

Guitar Heroes

Nowadays, many of us have healthy fantasy lives as a result of all our technological advances; internet, video games, fantasy sports, and readily available pornography (Yeah, like it's just me).
Rockstar wannabes now have Guitar Hero and Rock Band to facilitate a healthy imagination, not just for kids, but for adults as well.

As a matter of fact, it has even become a very popular form of entertainment at parties. My friend (and business partner) Zev at Spirit Entertainment recently had the idea to combine Rock Band, and video karaoke to create a great new amusement for special events where multiple guests can fulfill their Rock N' Roll fantasies and receive a personal DVD complete with special effects to share with family and friends at Christmas, Kwanza, Passover or Magha Puja Day. To enjoy this at your next celebration, please contact Zev or Joel at http://www.spiritentertainment.ca/

Even with these games, we must remember that there are some of us (alright some of "you"), who actually play these instruments, and are the artists we all long to emulate. The mastering of any musical instrument requires talent, but also years of dedication and practice. The real "Guitar Hero" spends years honing his/her skills, and never really stops.

Every article written about guitar includes great names like; Hendrix, Clapton, Paige, Santana, Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eddie Van Halen and Slash to name just a few. But most of you know someone who knows someone that the rest of the world will never hear.

On a recent trip to Las Vegas, I met a gentleman who, throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s played guitar at countless hotel lounges, conference centres and conference halls with big name stars of yesteryear like BB King and T-Bone Walker.

For those of you who don't know him, I dedicate this post to Mr. Jesse "Huck" Daniels.

The following guitar virtuosos are names that many of you know, but who rarely grace the lists of "Best of all time" for a variety of reasons. In some cases, they may be heralded as awesome musicians, performers or singers to such a degree that their guitar-playing ability is simply overshadowed.

I beg, in advance, for forgiveness if I omit your favourite. A list of this nature is highly subjective. I have, as well, conducted my usual focus group of friends, nephews and mainstream music fans of all ages.

I ask that you take solace in the fact that all of the aforementioned "axe-grinders" and others like U2's "The Edge", The Who's Pete Townsend, and even Rolling Stone's Keith Richards do not require my accolades. The world is already familiar with their accomplishments in this regard.

This is a shout-out to the brothers and sisters that rock their Fenders and Gibsons off, and while well-known among peers and critics, are rarely on the lips of the general public for this aspect of their work.

10) Jeff Healey: This blind Canadian's unique style of playing the instrument flat on his lap was not only awesome to watch, but just amazing to hear. A local hero in Toronto, he originally started playing the pre-indy indy circuit around Queen Street West where, legend has it, he was seen by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Albert "Master of the Telecaster" Collins, which led to a record deal with Arista. Movie buffs will remember him from the Patrick Swayze classic, Road House. The rest of you mainstream fans will remember the song Angel Eyes, but he had a variety of good tunes throughout the 90s, and even covered The Beatles While My Guitar Gently Weeps with a guest appearance by none other than George Harrison himself.

9) Bonnie Raitt: This daughter of Broadway star John Raitt began playing guitar at an early age. Completely unknown in the 60s, this little white girl played at blues bars alongside Howlin' Wolf and Sippie Wallace. She became known to critics in the '70s, and worked with some of the greatest musicians of all time, but commercial success would elude her for a long time. It was Nick of Time, released in 1989 that became a hit and stole the Grammys in early 1990. I still remember the odd vibration when everyone in the neighbourhood said "Who?" at the exact same time. Next came a Grammy Award-winning duet with John Lee Hooker on his album The Healer. She followed up this success with three more Grammy Awards for her 1991 album, Luck of the Draw, but many of those commercial fans don't get that she is a bad-ass "Bottle-neck" or "Slide" guitar viruoso in a very unsuspecting package (She looks like my aunt Gert. If I had an Aunt Gert).

8) Ray Parker Jr.: (high pitched voice indicating surprise) "Ain't that the dude that sang Ghostbusters?" Yes it is. Ironically, his biggest hit seemed to be the last thing people remember, but he was working it for years before that. Few people know that he was a sideman in Barry White's renowned Love Unlimited Orchestra in the 70s. He also wrote songs and played guitar, bassand sometimes drums for Chaka Khan (Lemme rock ya, lemme rock ya, Chaka Khan!), Aretha, The Temptations, The Spinners, Boz Scaggs, David Foster, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Herbie Hancock, Diana Ross and the ultimate association...Stevie Wonder (Gasp!). He had hits of his own throughout the 80s, but his aptitude on the electric was unlike any others. He was the original funk-rocker, with hits like; The Other Woman, Bad Boy and the instrumental, For Those Who Like to Groove.

7) Nancy Wilson: Yes, the woman who now produces all the music for her husband Cameron Crowe's films was once a super-hot rock guitarist. Also, we Canadians love to take credit for this San Francisco born talent, but sorry folks. We'll just have to be content with Mike Reno (Loverboy) and every one of those Canadian Idol winners whose name no one remembers (Go ahead, name two). She lived in Vancouver, but only for a few years before going back home. If you are uncertain as to her prowess on the 6-string, just listen to the old stuff from the '70s classics like Barracuda, Crazy On You, and my wife's favourite, Magic Man. This sister can rock!

6) Joe Satriani: How can I say that he is underrated when he has made his living as a guitar player, and has been critically acclaimed for over 2 decades? Because no one I ask seems to know any of his music. This guy will blow your mind with what he can do. He works the fretboard like a woman with a spider in her hair (alright, it was me). This guy is a master because no matter how hard and fast he slices and grinds, you can always hear the melody underneath. The mark of a true musician. Listen to Surfing With The Alien or Crowd Chant. His biggest fans are other guitar players who listen and say "Oh no he di' int!".

5) John Frusciante: The Red Hot Chili Peppers' lead guitarist may not have Joe Satriani's magic fingers, but he has a unique funk-rock style that just slides in and out of the groove, providing the basis for their very succesful and ever-changing sound. The band's re-working of songs by Stevie Wonder and Sly & The Family Stone are indicative of his widely varied influences. Take note of songs like; Californication, If You Want Me To Stay, Scar Tissue and their classic ballad Under The Bridge. Ultimately, he's just a really groovy player in a very good band.

4) George "Lightnin' Licks" Johnson: The guitar half of the Brothers Johnson who enjoyed success with I'll Be Good To You, Strawberry Letter 23 and Get The Funk Out Ma Face (Oh, how the kids loved saying that one). Discovered by Qunicy Jones along with his brother, bass-player Louis "Thunder Thumbs"Johnson (I am not making this up), they were teenage prodigies in the mid '70s, but seem to have been relatively forgotten ever since. Their huge disco hit, Stomp served as an extended showcase of their skills containing a bass solo for Thunder Thumbs and then a 30-40 second example of why they call George "Lightnin' Licks". Rock and blues guitarists seem to get all the mention, but this guy was (and probably still is) the Fender funkmaster.

3) Robert Cray: This guy played behind aforementioned guitar great, Albert Collins for years and is also the guy playing bass at the frat party in the movie Animal House. Like others before him, his skills became known to his peers, but never quite hit the American radio listener. In the mid '80s all his hard work and critical acclaim won him a couple of Grammys, and some mainstream name recognition, but with the possible exception of the song, Smoking Gun, the average listener remained ignorant. Never the less, in the world of Blues, this man is a legend and has worked with all time greats like Eric Clapton and John Lee Hooker. He's so good that Fender makes two signature Robert Cray Stratocaster guitars. In addition to his instrumental skills, he also has a sweet soulful voice. Try listening to songs Don't Be Afraid of the Dark and The Forecast (Calls for Pain).

2) George Benson: He and Robert Cray are extremely similar in my mind. I rank him higher for his commercial success and somewhat more catchy style. Like Cray, he will sometimes play a super-fast riff, while mouthing the sounds his fingers are picking, which is no easy feat at that speed. He also has a voice so awesome, that he could have easily made a career out of just singing. Check out the "original" version of Whitney Houston's Greatest Love Of All or his definitive version of Leon Russel's This Masquerade. Also beware of dancier tunes like Love Ballad, Turn Your Love Around and Give Me The Night. Watch his fingers rock the Ibanez (guitar) on his instrumental hit, Breezin'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QjTK0pL1go

1) Prince: An eccentric musical magician with a wide variety of talents, including James Brown dance moves and Stevie Wonder studio skills, he also rocks a guitar like few others. Just listen to Let's Go Crazy from the Purple Rain soundtrack to give you an idea. And then check out all of the songs that came afterward including the actual song entitled, Guitar. Why is he number 1? Because most of you didn't even consider him.

And to all the others that go unheard, I say "Play on, and your music will always find ears".

Classical Gas

I consider myself extremely liberal when it comes to music. I see myself as eclectic and inclusive. I appreciate everything including Classical, but for some reason, the thought of going to an opera conjures up visions of lighting myself on fire and running through a 3rd story glass window all the while shouting, "No mas. No mas!"

But I also know how music can be, and if someone can interest you in just a small aspect of a genre, you can ultimately find yourself immersed in a world you never knew existed.

So I have never written anything about classical or opera for fear that my lack of knowledge would do irreparable damage to a potential fan.

Fortunately for me, my friend Karen Lin at Zoomer Media, home of Classical 96.3 FM has hit the blogosphere with her own freaky little attempt to convince a world of music listeners to give the classics a try. I don't know if it will work, but her most recent post had me amused, and oddly uncomfortable.

In order to help you, my gracious readers understand, I am going to do something terribly unconventional in blogger world. I am going to refer you to another blog.

Trust me. You will thank me not only for helping you open up new horizons, but for sharing a very interesting and humorous little read.

http://www.karenokelive.com/2009/11/balls-of-fury.html

It's a gas... Classical Gas. Get it? Ha ha...okay, just click the link.

October Sounds

As I have mentioned before, October seems to be a very potent month in the music industry, whether it is due to the proximity of the upcoming holiday season or the growing distance from the feel-good summer season. Either way, a lot happens in October.

I have, of course taken the liberty to list some of the more momentous milestones in music history for your pleasure.

1955 - Harry Belafonte records "The Banana Boat Song". Several takes are required. It takes him all day-o (me say day, me say day, me say day-ay-ay-o).

1960 - Billboard reported that Dion and the Belmonts were breaking up.
One would think they would embrace each other firmly after collectively passing up a big tour in February of 1959 with Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper. As many of you already know, these three artists were killed in a plane crash during that tour. The band, instead said goodbye to Dion and his heroin addiction, but they simply fizzled, while Dion went on to great commercial success, which makes him a terrible example for the kids. When asked for comment, Dion said, "Ha Ha Ha Losers!".

1962 - The Beatles first appeared on Great Britain's Granada TV Network, and set the music scene on fire. Luckily Yoko was not around yet to put it out.

1964 - "She's Not There," by the Zombies, was released, and sold out in many record stores creating hilarious banter with music clerks who when asked for She's Not There, would reply by saying, "It's Not Here".

1967 - The musical "Hair" premiered at New York's Public Theatre. The show ran for 1,758 performances but had to end when several of their male actors eventually went bald.

1968 - Jose Feliciano released his controversial, bluesy rendition of The Star Spangled Banner. It was controversial because Americans were still patriotically anal retentive, and the fact that someone used artistic licence on a departure of this nature pissed off the residual McCarthy-types. 10 months later, Jimi Hendrix played his version and parents all over America lost their minds, and said things like "Bring back that little blind Mexican boy". For the record, Jose Feliciano is Puerto Rican.

1968 - Rita Marley gives birth to Bob's first son on October 17th. They name him "Ziggy" after the rolling papers used on the night of conception.

1969 - "Led Zeppelin II" was released along with the start of Led Zeppelin's third U.S. tour. Teenagers everywhere spent their haircut money on mind-altering substances and that special shampoo you need when you get crabs.

1970 - Eric Clapton released After Midnight. The only cool tidbit I can add here is that Clapton was born the son of 17-year-old Patricia Molly Clapton and Edward Walter Fryer, a 25-year-old soldier from Montreal, Quebec. My hometown (which somehow implies that all Montrealers share in his success). Fryer headed off to war prior to Clapton's birth and then returned to Canada. Clapton grew up with his grandmother, Rose, and her second husband Jack, and believed they were his parents and that his mother was actually his older sister (and you thought your family was messed up). Years later, his mother/sister married another Canadian soldier (because Canadian soldiers are super hard-to-resist), moved to Canada and left young Eric with his grandparents in Surrey. Her parenting skills were the inspiration behind shows like Ricki Lake and Jerry Springer.

1974 - Eric Burdon of The Animals names his newborn daughter "Mirage" (because he was stoned through the entire pregnancy). Then, during a rare moment of sobriety, changes it to "Alex".

1975 - Barry Manilow's glasses are broken by a crowd of fans as he rushes to his limo after a concert in Chicago, proving once again that his fans are nuts. Not the average passive fans. Just the ones that refuse to go home once the concert is over. It's over. Go home!

1977 - Street Survivors was released by Lynyrd Skynyrd. The celebration was cut short three days later when the infamous plane crash claimed the lives of vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines (Steve's sister) and manager Dean Kilpatrick. The other four members of the band were seriously injured but amazingly survived.

1978 - The now classic movie version of "The Wiz" debuts in New York. Michael Jackson invites all his friends to a huge wrap party at Chuck E.Cheese.

1979 - "Tusk," the two record set by Fleetwood Mac, was released by Warner Brothers Records.

1986 - The film biography "Sid And Nancy" opened nationally, and despite it's critical acclaim, I have met less than a dozen people who remember having seen it.

1995 - In London, Sting's former financial adviser was sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted of stealing $9.4 million from the musician. Had he married Yoko Ono, this never would have happened.

1995 - Rhino Home Video released 58 episodes of The Monkees on 21 cassettes. It was the largest video boxed set to be released. The next day, DVDs officially became the accepted video format.

1997 - Warren G filed a lawsuit against Garth Brooks, his company Blue Rose Inc., and Home Box Office Inc. The suit alleged that Brooks had infringed on the trademarked circled "g" logo. I mean, let's be honest. Could two people in this world have come up with the same ingenious idea to circle the letter G? Shame on you, Garth Brooks. You're just jealous of the creative talent and success of Warren G!

1998 - The Wilkinsons made their first official appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. All 4 white people watching said they were awesome.

2001 - Jay-Z was sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor assault charges for stabbing a record producer during a fight in a nightclub on December 1, 1999, prompting OJ Simpson to call him a "sucker-bitch", and shake his head as if to say "What's this world coming to when you can't stab a record producer in the privacy of a nightclub?".

2007 - Phil Spector's first murder trial for the 2003 shooting of actress Lana Clarkson ends in a hung jury. He is later found guilty when the jury foreman stands up and says, "Just look at his hair. Of course he's guilty!"
OJ has "Sucker-bitch" cards printed at Kinko's.

I think we can all see that the moral of the story is, just shut up and listen to the music.

The elements

I dedicate this post to Dr. Jack Murciano, a DJ and roller boogie-er from back in the day who turns 50 this week, and to his sister Sally whose baking the cake.

The recurring resurgence of disco has fortified it's place in music history, and with it, those musicians and bands who have contributed most prolifically.

Anyone who was hitting the discos back in the 70s will remember the likes of Sylvester, Lime, Carol Douglas, The Trammps, Jimmy "Bo" Horne, Musique, The Sylvers, Hot Chocolate, Harold Melvin and The Bluenotes and even my Montreal homies Gino Soccio and Patsy Gallant. (Incidentally, these are great names for your kids. Patsy? You just don't hear that anymore. I considered a name from this list, but my wife thought that naming a child "Hot Chocolate" might be a problem at school.)

So, while these artists may have supplied the clubs with some funky beats, memories of them tend to fade as we move further from that era. This list could easily be in the hundreds, so feel free to chime in with your own personal faves.
Instead, I have chosen to focus on the the most historically enduring artists of the time. Some may seem campy or kitschy to us now, but anyone who has ever been to a party where the DJ plays YMCA, I Will Survive, or It's Raining Men knows just how much some people dig that stuff.
The names on my list are names with longevity. Names that grace Music's Hall of Fame. Is it a result of better quality? Possibly. It may be a combination of group chemistry, good management, P.R. or just pure talent. Mine is not to question why. I am just here to report the news, folks. My news. My way. I am not paid enough to pander.

Here is my list. It's all very scientific, so stay with me.

10.Tied for tenth place are 3 groups: (Like I said, MY way.)Sister Sledge, Tavares and Chic. All great disco groups that had multiple albeit relatively short-lived successes.Sister Sledge gave us We Are Family and their funkier follow-up hit He's The Greatest Dancer, which for you under 30 folks, is the song Will Smith "borrowed" to achieve his biggest hit, Gettin' Jiggy With It (Thank goodness that phrase was introduced into our vocabulary).
Tavares had the definitive version of More Than A Woman from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, but are more known to disco enthusiasts for Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel. These guys had funky rhythms, fresh dance moves and outfits that would literally trigger your gag reflex. Freshly pimped in bedazzled fluorescent, tight-fitting, bell-bottom jumpsuits with glitter, and wedged-heels with a goldfish inside (usually floating).
Chic is arguably the most succesful of this group. They had a hit with Dance, Dance, Dance, it's clever follow up, Everybody Dance (just in case their previous message was unclear), and then hit gold twice in a row with the mother of all disco tunes, Le Freak and it's successor, Good Times. Now, I hear one of the guys owns a car wash (no pun intended)*.
*Car Wash was a hit for Rose Royce. Not Chic.

9. The Commodores. Here was Lionel Richie at his funkiest before he became the Black Barry Manilow (Oh no he di'nt!). These guys burned up dancefloors everywhere with songs like; Brick House, Too Hot Ta Trot and Slippery When Wet (Hmmm...are those metaphors?). Machine Gun was a cool instrumental jazz-funk foray that showed they were a musical group first, and a singing group second, unlike their Motown predecessors; the Temptations, Miracles and the Four Tops. Throw in Mid-tempo soul grooves like; Just To Be Close To You, and Sweet Love before knocking one massive ballad after another out of the park like; Easy, Three Times a Lady, Sail On and Still, and somebody's got themselves a Cadillac! It was all Lionel Richie after that. Surrounded by his personal gang of music pimps, he was lured away, never to return. The Commodores had one last hit years later with the song Nightshift, written for the late Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, but were ultimately relegated to the purgatory of pop; Venues like the Golden Nugget and CasinoRama for the remainder of their careers, or until one of them freaks out and punches some old lady for her bucket of nickels.

8. James Brown. Of course he would be higher up if this were another genre. He never considered himself a "disco" artist per se, but he did provide the clubs with some funky grooves in the 70s. Sex Machine, Get Up Offa That Thing, and Doin' It To Death were among just a few of the gifts he gave the DJs of his time. (Plus he had awesome hair)

7. Barry Manilow. What? You thought I would leave him out just because he's got some nutty fans? He's the first caucasian on my list. Not really a disco act, but in addition to his ballads, he contributed some great dance tunes for the time in Who’s Been Sleeping In My Bed, New York City Rhythm and the Big Kahuna of the disco scene, Copacabana. I don't care that he doesn't like the term "Fanilow" or "Manilover". Just play "Copa" and everybody including my aunt Rivka hits the dance floor. That's got to mean something.

6. KC and The Sunshine Band. Everyone knows their hits; That's the Way (I Like It), or as my father used to call it, "Uh-huh, Uh-huh" (No matter what I said, I couldn't stop him from walking up to DJs with his Spanish accent, and asking them if they could play "Uh-huh, Uh-huh" while providing a subtle visual of two hands pumping into a pelvic thrust. Uber-embarrassing.), Shake Your Booty, I'm Your Boogie Man, Keep It Comin' Love, Get Down Tonight and just to show they could do a ballad, Please Don't Go. People don't realize that they were a group of talented studio musicians from TK Records in Florida, (hence the name "Sunshine" Band). The band consisted of keyboardist Rusty Hamilton III (There were two Rusty Hamiltons before him?), Jerome Smith on guitar, David Simmons on Drums, and an outstanding horns section. Also, they always performed with dancers on stage. Dancers who didn't sing, or play tambourine, or even ring a cowbell. They just danced. I believe they had something there. (Of course this really only works for bands. Do not try to introduce this idea if you are a litigator, surgeon or undertaker. Then it's just tacky. It might be cool if you're a Lifeguard.)

5. Village People. These guys were so popular for a while that they even made a movie. A preposterously bad movie that I actually paid to see (Hey, I was 12 @#*%^&* years old, okay?). The more amazing thing is that these guys are still performing all over the world to good crowds and their songs are still played constantly at weddings and circumcisions. I won't list them. You all know them and you've heard them enough.

4. The Jacksons. This includes Michael's Off The Wall album, but does not discount the brilliant dance music they put out as a group. In the 70s, these guys could do no wrong. Just listen to Dancing Machine (Which allowed Michael to first showcase his "Robot" moves), Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground), Blame It On The Boogie, Enjoy Yourself and Can You Feel It. Also, it might surprise you to know that they changed their name from the Jackson 5 to the Jacksons, not because they added little brother Randy and were no longer 5, but because they left Motown (who owned the name) for CBS records. Also, they were still 5 because Randy actually replaced Jermaine who refused to leave Motown and father-in-law Berry Gordy. A nice loyal family gesture. Hey Jermaine, you know what would also be a nice family-type gesture? NOT SLEEPING WITH OTHER WOMEN! Just a thought.

3.Donna Summer. From those first sweet sounds of masturbation on the 12" extended version of Love To Love You Baby, all the teenage boys were hooked. The "Queen of Disco" had it all going on at the time. She even managed to generate another hit out of Richard Harris' Macarthur Park. Do you have any idea the kind of charisma required to create relevance out of lyrics like "Someone left a cake out in the rain. I don't think that I could take it, cause it took so long to bake it, and I'll never have that recipe again"? Oh, the angst! I digress. Her performance of Last Dance in the now cult-classic film Thank God It's Friday stole the show, and it was one smash hit after another from there. Bad Girls, Hot Stuff, and her duet with Barbara Streisand (back when young, straight people still listened to Barbara), Enough is Enough. My personal, lesser played favourite was Heaven Knows which my sister played endlessly on 45 until my puberty was temporarily halted by a drop in testosterone.

2. Bee Gees. Practically synonymous with disco, the Bee Gees were making hits for a decade before Saturday Night Fever. Dennis Miller once described Barry Gibb as his personal vision of God, with the beard and long flowing hair on the cover of Spirits Having Flown, where his outreaching hand emphasizes the flared sleeve of his white satin shirt. Sure, it sounds gay (and it is) but really just emphasizes the magnitude of their popularity. To this day when a good-looking guy (other than myself) struts down the street, I hear Stayin' Alive. No retro disco party ends without Night Fever, Jive Talking, or You Should Be Dancing, but their female fans will remember ballads like How Deep Is Your Love and Too Much Heaven. If we throw late baby brother Andy into the mix, and his hits You're My Everything, Shadow Dancing, Love Is (Thicker Than Water) and slow jam, Don't Throw It All Away, they absolutely owned the decade.

1. There is a huge tie at number 1 because many of the aforementioned are simply too close to call.A) Kool & The Gang. A Jazz/Funk fusion band in their early days, they graced the airwaves with now classics, Funky Stuff, Jungle Boogie, Hollywood Swingin', and from Saturday Night Fever, Open Sesame. But it was not until they met future lead singer James (JT) Taylor that they took off. The very next album launched title track, Ladies Night and follow-up hit Too Hot, but the heaven's opened up when they sat down together and wrote the song, Celebration. I am told that once recorded, someone said, "Do you realize what we have just done? This song will be played at every wedding, graduation, bar-mitzvah, Sweet Sixteen, orgy, and Al-Qaeda post-bombing after-party for the rest of time!" I am paraphrasing, of course. B) Earth, Wind & Fire: This is perhaps the most underrated group of all time, and that's saying a lot for a group that is so highly regarded. I say "underrated" because the average fan has no clue how awesome they really were, how many fantastic songs they wrote, and how spectacular the musicianship and vocal arrangement was. The main players were Philip Bailey (Yes, the guy that sang Easy Lover with Phil Collins) and Maurice White, with his brother Verdine, one of the best bass players ever (and another awesome first name for the baby book). EWF were a concerted group effort, but those in the know will attribute the lion's share of success to Maurice (aka Reese). Few people know that as a teenager, Reese moved to Chicago and worked as a session drummer for Chess Records. It's actually him playing for artists such as Etta James, Muddy Waters, The Impressions (with Curtis Mayfield) and Buddy Guy. He also played drums on Fontella Bass' hit song, Rescue Me.

In 1969 Maurice and friends were writing jingles when they got a contract with Capitol Records, and called themselves The Salty Peppers, which eventually moved to L.A. and became Earth, Wind & Fire (Thank goodness. I would hate to be writing this about the @#$*%&*"@# Salty Peppers). Their list of great songs are endless. Anyone who has ever owned an antenna knows Shining Star and September. If anyone didn't already know Boogie Wonderland, the animated Warner Brothers film, Happy Feet made sure a whole new generation was enlightened. There are super soulful feel-good tunes like SingaSong, Fantasy and If You Fall In Love, but don't sleep on their ballads. Reasons, Love's Holiday, After The Love is Gone and I'll Write a Song For you are just a few examples of the work of one of the greatest groups of all time.

I leave you with the words of Barry White, who was omitted from this list only because his music was in a category of it's own.

"We're gonna laugh and dance half the night awayWe're gonna scream and shout while the music playsThen around about two, tell you what I'm gonna doGirl I'm gonna take you home and stick plenty love to youLet's get it on all night long."
See what I mean?

John Lennon Week

I began the day by investigating this week in music history. I found that the second week of October has traditionally proven to be somewhat eventful, but for no one more than the family of the late John Lennon.


The second week of October for John Lennon seems to be a time of great milestones.
Sadly, the whole "being dead" thing makes it hard to blow out your birthday candles, and with the exception of Weekend at Bernie's, usually makes for a crappy party.


Regardless, here are some interesting events from the Lennon-Ono family scrapbook:


1) John Lennon was born on October 9th, 1940 (his "birthday")

2) The first Beatles single, "Love Me Do/P.S. I Love You" was released in England, this week in 1962.

3) The Beatles begin recording "Eight Days A Week" in less than eight days this week in 1964. The song becomes just another in a long-line of early successes, securing their place among the elite rockstars of their day.

4) John Lennon first met Yoko Ono at a London art gallery exhibition this week in 1966.
Luckily, she pointed out that even though he thought he was happy, he truly wasn't. As a matter of fact, until John met Yoko, he was oblivious to the fact that the band members had been plotting all along to usurp and ride the coattails of his creative properties. Like a bad case of mold, the doubt and distrust would eventually erode the fabric of camaraderie that held together the world's favourite band! Damn you Yoko! Damn you!!! (Alright, she was probably not the ONLY reason they broke up.)

5) Prodigal son, Sean Lennon is born to John and Yoko on John's birthday (October 9th) in 1975. Happy birthday, John. Hey, was your first son Julian invited to the party? No, that's right. Yoko brought to your attention his secret desire to ride your coattails (You just can't trust those 11 year-old sons).

6) Yoko Ono dedicated the "John Lennon Peace Tower" in Reykjavik Harbor, Iceland in 2007. At the ceremony, they show a lovely video montage played to John's signature tune, Imagine. They are later sued by Yoko for playing the song without permission.
(That statement is completely false, but entirely possible.)


In Yoko's defense, her motives over time, have been proven completely altruistic. After John's death, she refused to accept any of his inheritance, choosing instead to live solely off of the proceeds from her own music. (Insert hysterical laughter here, complete with squealing and snorting. Congratulations. You have just produced a Yoko Ono song.)

Well, that was fun, but here are a few other things that happened on this week in music history:

Steve Miller (The Joker) was born on October 5th in 1943.
Little known fact: Steve Miller was once a bandmate of another famous singer/songwriter by the name of Boz Scaggs. (Hey, I didn't say it was interesting. Just that it was "little known")

Jerry Lee Lewis records Great Balls Of Fire this week in 1957. Shortly thereafter, he gave way to righteous indignation when the media questioned him about his surprise elopement to his 13 year old cousin. His response was "Hey, I plays this here piana real good! Don't that give me the right to @*#*$% my 13 year old cousin without her parent's consent?" (That statement is completely false, but entirely possible.)

Neil Sedaka records Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen in 1961 prompting a young Barry Manilow to say, "That's what I want to be when I grow up".

Musician and part-time wifebeater, Jackson Browne is also born on John Lennon's birthday in 1948. So was the late John Entwistle of the Who in 1944. Yoko did not let John attend their birthday parties.

Robert "Kool" Bell, the man who put the "Kool" in Kool & the Gang was born on October 8th in 1950. (Celebrate good times come on)

ABBA members Benny and Anni-Frid got married this week in 1978. It would last three years, which is approximately how much of my life has been spent futilely trying to avoid listening to the song Dancing Queen.

Mick Jagger responds to what some say are racist lyrics in the Rolling Stones' Some Girls album this week in 1978. He apologizes and blames it on his collaboration with some Jew.

Al Martino ("Spanish Eyes") was born on October 7th in 1927. (This one's for my mother)Classmates Jesus and Alexander the Great said of Martino, "That cat sure can sing!"

Mama Cass Elliot of the Mamas & the Papas was strip-searched and jailed in London over an unpaid hotel bill this week in 1967. The officer who performed the search was never found.

Mama Cass Elliot collapses on the opening night of her solo Caesar's Palace engagement in Las Vegas in 1968. One of the roadies was never found.

Chuck Berry is given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this week in 1987.

What a week.