From: Greg McLoughlin

Subject: Re: Everybody Is A Star

Bob,

Let me tell you quickly about what is working for me.

I have done a 90 minute live stream on Facebook every Monday night since March 2020.

An average of 15 to 20 people watch per week. About seven or eight of those people watch every single week, never missing an episode, and the rest are less consistent, but consistently there’s enough who watch whatever weeks they can to keep my numbers close to 20.

I get between $30 and $100 in tips every week, that’s pretty unpredictable.

Two of my most devoted followers started a fan page on Facebook.

All of this is honestly the best success I’ve ever had. I write honest songs, and my voice is average at best.

As things started to open up in Jersey City, I started getting out to open mics and such again, and people who know me casually are suddenly treating me like a celebrity because they think I’m huge with my webcasts. I find this amusing, but I guess just because they see so many comments and I’m so consistent. Consistency is paramount.

yes, just on Facebook. But whatever the medium is, loyalty is paramount. My fans are there, they are tiny in size and I don’t know how much more it will grow, but this is working for me. I’m inspired and growing as an artist, and that’s what’s most important.

Gregory Mcloughlin

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From: Dre DiMura

Subject: Re: Everybody Is A Star

Hey Bob,

I’m a touring musician turned TikTok creator during the pandemic. I’ve been on TikTok for just under a year and have already generated more income and opportunity than several years of hard road work. The access to new fans, brand partnerships and collaboration is unrivaled, but you are oh-so-right about the lack of respect we receive as content creators. A lot of my peers understand and are supportive, but many still decry TikTok as a fad and don’t see the excitement that’s happening on there. I grew up watching the “old” music business die hard and it’s the same jargon about “back in the day”, “but it’s not art” (as if much of music is art these days anyway), “I’m too old to get it”, etc. I spoke with a tour manager yesterday who said, “influencers are the new rockstars”, and like it or not he is totally right. It’s not just about the money… the lack of gatekeeping and potential for innovation is inspiring, and reminiscent of other time periods where musicians were pushing cultural and creative boundaries with then new mediums like radio, records and TV. If you’re serious about working in today’s music business, I can’t possibly understand how you wouldn’t want to be a part of it.

-Dre DiMura

P.S. I was in talks with a blue blood company in the music industry about helping them get their TikTok up and running, they declined on the grounds that they were afraid of Gen-Z and didn’t want to “get cancelled” on TikTok. Give me a break! Sounds like a them problem. Sheesh.

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From: Mark Feldman

Subject: Re: Everybody Is A Star

Hi Bob –

Yes, it’s like, the internet is old news! HELLO everybody!!!  WAKE UP!!!!

What’s funny is that people–especially some musicians–hang on to the old paradigms so tightly.

No, no, please don’t take away my grueling traveling across the country (and around the world) so I can play in a venue to a few thousand people and then do that again and again and again. (and again).

Please!!! Why in the world would I ever stop working my ass off!?  Why would I stop risking my life because of the pandemic?

No, please don’t take away that method of doing things where I haul all of this back-breaking gear around town, make shitty money, can’t find a parking space, and have to learn 40 songs for the gig (which means that I’m making less than a supermarket cashier after all the hours I put in learning those songs).

You mean, I could make great videos that people want to share and then, I can work from home and still be creating using my chosen instrument?  But NOT have to go on any more soul-crushing tours that take me away from my beautiful children for months on end?  NO!!!  I won’t do that!!!  And you guys who are doing it and getting traction….STOP!  It isn’t fair to us luddites who can’t see that the future is here.  ha ha!!

I mean, c’mon man!!!   Let’s work from our basements!!  stay at home with our kids and take advantage of this shit.   Really now.

-Mark Feldman

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From: Mike Caren

Subject: Re: The Grammy Postponement

The catalog thing is misleading. Funny how people ran with that without thinking what it means. 

18 months is nothing now that there are 400k releases a week. Outside of .0001% release day is not what it used to be and consumption builds. I think the “impact” period is 6 to 2 years from release (on newer acts) and then it starts to slowly ebb from there; there’s no store/shelf life issues (outside of vinyl), very few songs on the radio (20 potentially meaningful slots per station), and most records don’t get playlisting (are there 3000 meaningful playlist spots? 5,000? remember for 50m tracks and growing). Last year there was a record amount of gold singles from songs 3 to 6 years old. Catalog, sure, but brand new to those discovering songs like “notion” by the rare occasions or “surrender” by Natalie Taylor. Even on pop like Glass Animals “heat waves” from 2020. That wasn’t happening 4 years ago. 

I would redefine catalog to 5 years or older and it will be a more realistic picture. Otherwise it looks like it’s all Prince (not that purple rain vinyl isn’t a juggernaut) which doesn’t fully represent what’s happening. 

Mike Caren

www.artistpg.com

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From: James Spencer 

Subject: Re: More Don’t Look Up

Your good pal Gene bought a huge mansion in Vegas, and moved in…

In the SUMMER…

An extended run of shows (Zappos theater, Planet Hollywood casino) was announced for early 2022..No trial run, which is usually the norm..

By summer’s end, the house was back on the market..His family didn’t enjoy the extreme heat..Huh ..Who knew!?

Soon afterwards, ALL the shows were cancelled..Ticket sales were soft..

As they ALWAYS are, THAT far in advance .

A large percentage of ticket sales are the “walk-ups”..You have to be willing to “play chicken” with your brand..(Robert Goulet lost his life savings after a month of four-walling.)

But Gene did put on a showing of his paintings, at an upscale strip gallery, which he attended, and signed purchased pieces..

Most recently he was spotted directing several 18 wheelers into the loading dock of the Rio, a popular casino in the 90s..

He’s moved  his collection of merch/ memorabilia onto the property, and is creating a Kiss museum..

He sat-in with the Foo Fighters, and said to the local media that Kiss WILL do a residency in a year, but there’s too much completion currently..And, of course it will be the biggest and best! (Says he)

Katy Perry just came on GMA, and showed off her new set, for her Resort Worlds residency..

Talk about production! Total mind f*ck.

Follow, that, Simmons…

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Subject: Re: Being The Ricardos

Bob:

I have a Nicole Kidman story for you. It amuses me whenever I think about it.

In the early 2000s I did publicity work for Carrot Top who happens to be a very funny guy. He is truly entertaining. If you ever have a chance to see him in Vegas, do it. I wanted to represent him and was happy to let people know how great he is.

I went to New York with him and had lined up a very full schedule for him including an appearance on Live With Regis & Kathy. Nicole Kidman was on the show that day too. After the taping, we were all in the green room. I told Nicole’s pr person that Carrot Top wanted to say hello. The pr gal said, “no, next time.” I thought that this was horse shit. Not nice. It takes a few seconds to say hello.

We got a laugh out of it. I think about this from time to time especially when I see Nicole on tv. Tip O’Neil once said “it’s nice to be important, but it is important to be nice.”

Sandy

Sanford Brokaw

The Brokaw Company

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From: Diarmuid Quinn

Subject: Re: Peter Bogdanovich

Hello Bob,

One film you do not mention in your writing about Peter is “Runnin’ Down A Dream”.  I had the pleasure of working alongside Peter with Tony Dimitriades, John Beug, and Tom himself to craft a comprehensive documentary on the history of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.  Peter was nuts, but in a good way, and he delivered a great critically acclaimed and Grammy winning film.

It was very late in his career, but should not go unrecognized.  Anyone who has not seen it should do so if they want to see a film that is a great history of not just TPHB, but the music business through the 70’s 80’s and 90’s.

Best,

Diarmuid

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From: TS Bitterman

Subject: Re: The Elizabeth Holmes Conviction

Hi Bob

Theranos was not allowed by California to experiment on their public

Yet welcomed by Arizona Gov. Ducey, use State resources to aid the experiments- no regulations via “special legislation”. Then a Member of Congress, Sinema ( riend to all things Pharma) also cheered this clearing of regulations.

“Blood Testing” was offered at Walgreens in 2015.

Thousands of Arizonans had procedures, medications, misdiagnosis or delays of diagnosis based on these fake blood tests.

And paid real US Dollars for the privilege, along with Medicare, Medicaid, State programs, and insurance carriers

That’s the real story, people were medically defrauded. many harmed, endangered.

The turtlenecks and Board of Directors following their dicks, and the paper crime are what gets reported

But the point is missed completely

I hope Holmes has a shitty life

Cheers, TS

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From: Ed Kelly

Subject: Re: More Social Security

Bob,

You want to delay taking Social Security until 70 if for no other reason you don’t want to outlive your retirement funding..but unfortunately the majority are not in position to make that decision…as they stated, they live paycheck to paycheck and need to pay bills now. It’s sad and it goes back to education. You have to start planning. You hit a nerve with those hurt that you called them an imbecile for taking SS early…The numbers don’t lie and for most delaying SS is the best answer, if for no other reason you don’t want to outlive your retirement funding…but unfortunately the majority are not in position to make that decision…as they stated, they find themselves suddenly needing to pay bills now.  It’s sad and it goes back to education. If you defer making plans for your financial retirement until you’re in your 60s you don’t have a plan.

Despite the hard pushback, I’m sure you helped many with your letter…sometimes we have a choice, to do what’s right or to do what’s easy. You did what’s right…that’s leadership…the many thank yous you are owed will come much later, from those that will heed your advice and from their families impacted…

Ed

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From: brad auerbach

Subject: Re: Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

In 2006 Richard Saul Wurman was staging his last conference before he sold the concept to TED. It was held at the Skirball in LA, and it was quite a gathering, from Quincy Jones to Matt Groening to Yo-Yo Ma to Frank Gehry. The audience was equally impressive, and it was there I had a chat with Chris Blackwell. I asked him what became of Cat Stevens and he said interestingly enough a few weeks earlier Cat had reached out and was looking for Blackwell’s advice about how to get back in the music business. Blackwell said that Cat should record a version of Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood and put it up for free online. 

Brad Auerbach

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Subject: Re: Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

The summer of ‘68. Fort Dix, NJ. Advanced Infantry Training. Standing in a half-assed formation waiting to start the day. Over the speakers comes the opening words to Sky Pilot: “He blesses the boys as they stand in line.”

A moment that stays with you as you get ready to move down the line in a few short weeks.

George Laugelli

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From: jcarlet

Subject: Re: Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

Bob,

A little personal history.

1972 Air Force Officer Basic Training.

Friday nights were free time so we were allowed a couple of drinks in the club.

The most popular song and theme song played at least once per night:

“We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” by The Animals.

Seemed to resonate favorably with all attendees.

Jim

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From: Dennis Jones

Subject: RE: Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

Bob:

 

Eric Burdon lived here in Ojai until he moved to Greece last year. 

For many years, when asked to sing House of the Rising Sun, he would reply “I hate that fucking song.” 

But he finally became at peace with a few years ago, it and he would perform it seriously and still powerfully.

 

My friend and local sax prodigy Ruben Salinas put together a new band of “Animals,” which toured with Burdon for five years. None of the band members were born when the last Animals hit was released.

 

My Beatles tribute band often sneaks a couple of non-Beatles tunes into our sets. We get the best response from “It’s My Life.”

 

Dennis Neil Jones

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Subject: RE: Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

Ever hear the original of “We Gotta Get Out of This Place”?

Joel Selvin

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From: Tim Trummer

Subject: Re: Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

Vocalists and jazz players are increasingly adapting rock songs from the sixties and beyond for their recordings.  You can find songs by Depeche Mode (Personal Jesus), Springsteen (I’m Going Down), Fleetwood Mac (Landslide) and many others treated in this way affectionately and to good effect. Sometimes these adaptations help rediscover the essence or some overlooked element of songs we like.

Pianist John Nazarenko’s Trio covers Misunderstood and other rock songs:

The Animals had an almost-taboo gritty quality for 1964. House of the Rising Sun was that year too? These were unusually disturbing and personal songs for that time, and it’s conveyed in Burdon’s voice, a sound that sticks in my mind 60 years later.

Tim

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Subject: Re: Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

you should check out brian auger and julie tippets version on the encore album.tremendous vocalist.their 2nd album streenoise is an alltime classic.she went by julie driscoll then.

Larry Mazer

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Subject: Re: Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

How about the Santa Esmeralda version? Disco galore extravaganza and you cannot forget that scene in Kill Bill.

Deddy Setton Toronto

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Subject: From Chicago Booth Business Fellow – COVID impact message

Bob, 

I am a University of Chicago Booth School of Business Distinguished Fellow studying technology and social impact topics. I’m reaching out because of the size of your audience and because I believe you tell things as they are. I have been subscribed for several years and I have always trusted and been impressed with your responses on COVID issues.

My thesis for you: I am increasingly concerned that the response to the omicron variant risks a large disruption to the supply chain and medical system on par to or greater than the alpha variant due to its incredible rate of spread and lack of national response or even global response. I believe this is being drastically underreported as every single data point you see is all happening, all at once, everywhere – but all to differing severity. Individual communities are fine, are under siege, have no Omicron, have pervasive Omicron. But by looking on a macro scale I want to get across a core thought to you – I believe we are at some major level of risk for a large-scale operational catastrophe with unknown (but likely quite negative) effects, particularly on medical care, manufacturing, and education. The desire for this to be endemic DOES NOT MATCH REALITY.

I have validated these ideas with Booth operations professors, former supply chain employees for global companies, medical students and current doctors. Additionally, research is provided for reading.

Foundational:

On a national basis, we are now over 1M cases per day with less than 1% of pop per day infected, meaning there could be weeks or even months of runway at this rate if nothing was affected

There IS NO EVIDENCE THIS WILL DECREASE ON A MACRO SCALE. I am tired of hearing “it went down in South Africa.” The core of the issue is even if NYC decreases, if half the country goes up until February we are in major trouble. Omicron has not readily struck eastern Europe or Asia beyond India.

Therefore, pending no lockdown, we can assume rate of sick will increase or even double while there is no change to expected economic output – i.e. individuals will expect society to function normally, employers expect their business units to perform normally, etc.

Why am I sending you this:

I am not proposing any policy response. I just want people to generally be aware of what the reality is, both on a national scale where our medical infrastructure is old and weak, potentially on a global scale for supply chain issues, and on an actual mortality issue for kids. We are about to push against so much of life’s daily processes on such an unprecedented scale that I don’t know what’s coming. You can decide whether or not you want to stress test every single individual operation of society all at once globally. China is considering an April 2020 style lockdown to prevent Omicron. All I will say is I simply do not know if that is that crazy.

To make an example – if I am Goldenvoice, I have to start seriously considering if Coachella can run in April – not due to COVID but literally “can it operate?” Will there be food? Enough water? Security? Stage equipment? Buses? People to drive the buses? Flights home after from Palm Springs? Can you get everything you need in the desert? Can you pack it up when you’re done? Every one of these processes is at risk, ranging from very small to very large. I would not want to be Coachella’s director of ops right now, that’s for sure.

If you think I’m a crazy doomsayer, feel free to ignore. But I am very worried about what we are getting ourselves into right now! More than anything I just want people to think critically about all of this on a larger scale than just themselves or their immediate communities.