From: Tom Rush<\/p>\n
Subject: Re: Blue<\/p>\n
Bob,<\/p>\n
I had the honor of being the first to record Joni’s songs \u00e2\u20ac\u201d before she did \u00e2\u20ac\u201d on my Circle Game album. (I tried to get Jac Holzman at Elektra to sign her up, he said she sounded too much like Judy Collins.) My recollection is that, while she very much wanted to be a STAR, she was not calculating to write hit songs. Because she was (and is) a true artist she wrote her truth, take it or leave it.\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The fact that the music business sausage factory couldn’t figure out how to sell her work is more an indictment of the industry than an indication of any failing on Joni’s part. The fact that her Blue album is being celebrated 50 years later it a testament to her importance. As with Dylan, she’s been hugely influential on the music scene in general, and on generations of new artists, without ever selling the tonnage required to have a wall full of platinum albums at home. (I’m told, by the way, that if you take one of those albums out of its frame and play it on a turntable \u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00c2\u00a0it usually turns out to be somebody else’s album. Mind you, I’ve never had any of my own to test the theory.) (And I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m assuming they went through a platinum CD phase, and then probably a platinum SD Card, but what do they do now? Platinum Downloads, if they ever existed, would be pass\u00c3\u00a9. How do you hang a Platinum Digital Stream on your bathroom wall? What has the world come to?!?)<\/p>\n Tom Rush<\/p>\n ______________________________<\/p>\n From: Steve Lukather<\/p>\n Subject: Re: Billboard 200 Album Chart-This Week In July 1975<\/p>\n Yes I remember. I Remember real music played and written by real people! Not 14 writers .. one just to plug in the drum machine.<\/p>\n ‘I play drum machine’. People SAY that! \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0hahahahahaha<\/p>\n It was the year I graduated high school. Jeff Porcaro was IN Steely Dan and our High School band was called ‘Still life’ with Me, Michael Landau, John Pierce, Carlos Vega , Steve Porcaro our leader back then.<\/p>\n David Paich ( the musical genius he is) \u00c2\u00a0as well as Jeff Porcaro used to come to our high school gigs and sit in. We were a Steely Dan tribute band before their ever was ‘ tribute ‘ bands. A\u00c2\u00a0magical time.<\/p>\n We were all deep into our musical studies and playing any gig we could and working and … well and..<\/p>\n Boz Scaggs loved us ( we loved him and still do) He gave us all our shot and then… we put out our 1st record out and ‘the hipsters’ have pissed on us for 45 years.<\/p>\n Such is life…<\/p>\n I still won. I am still here and I am grateful.<\/p>\n Sorry our musical era WAS better!<\/p>\n Sue me.. like everyone else does.<\/p>\n Luke<\/p>\n ______________________________<\/p>\n From: Robert Kacerow<\/p>\n Subject: RE: God Gave Rock And Roll To You<\/p>\n Bob,\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As a long-time fan of the Al Kooper, the Zombies, and Argent since the early days of my youth, I was pleased and gratified with your commentary on Russ Ballard, and his many contributions to Rock & Roll music over the years. Russ, like so many others in the Music business are often overlooked by the mainstream media and fans.<\/p>\n I’ve followed Russ’s career and music contributions very early-on; from his formative days in the Roulettes backing Adam Faith, then morphing into Unit 4+2, and breaking into the US market with “Concrete & Clay”, and then ultimately finding further success with the evolution of Argent subsequent to the demise of the Zombies. Bob, you and I are of the same age, and I became a concert addict way back in grade school. As I got older and became financially successful; every year for the last 21 years I make an annual pilgrimage to the UK for two weeks, to attend as many R & R concerts as possible in that short amount of time. I’ll see many British 60’s acts (Hollies, Searchers, Manfreds, Fortunes, etc.) who either don’t, or can’t, tour the US anymore for an array of issues, be it financial, Visas, or lack of fan interest and support.<\/p>\n Back in 2016 at a Manfreds concert in London, I bumped into Russ in the lobby during intermission; he was having a beer and chatting with friends. I approached Russ and introduced myself as a long-time US fan, and asked if he would be receptive to letting me get a picture with him. He was quite surprised and graciously agreed. As we were standing there, I recounted to him all of his music career and contributions over the years as I knew it. He was quite flabbergasted to be hearing this from a US fan in London all these years later. He kept asking and saying to me “Who Are You?”, “Is this some kind of a set-up you’re pulling?”. I laughed and laughed and said “No, I’m just one of your loyal fans and wanted to thank you for all that you’ve given to me over the years.” He was quite the gentleman and professional as my wife snapped-away on her camera, and he seemed to genuinely enjoy that moment of unanticipated fan attention.<\/p>\n He still tours regularly in Europe and was about to commence a tour in support of a new CD release when Covid hit in March of last year. He’s chomping at the bit to get back out there later this year. When I saw your commentary on Russ I took the liberty to copy and pass your comments over to him. I gave him your contact details, but don’t know if he replied directly to you or not. I’ve pasted below his response that he sent back to me. Thank you Bob for your kind words from this long-time Russ Ballard fan.<\/p>\n Regards,<\/p>\n Bob Kacerow<\/p>\n “Thanks for this, Bob, \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0Great piece of writing. It’s good to know there’s people listening. You are right, many want to be rich and famous but don’t want to put the work in. I do appreciate your words, cheers. I still go in to my studio everyday and enjoy writing and recording, same as ever. Psychiatrists say the key to well being is to be completely engaged in to something, and with music we are…..it is a passion, and, I believe most people never find one – they have to pay the bills and so they settle for a job that pays. In the studio 5\/6 hours flys by and I come in to the house feeling blissful. Somehow we have to find a way for future generations to find then follow a passion. It could be a different world, – (You don’t want to hit someone when you’re feeling good.) \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0I wish you and yours the very best and if you’re ever in East Herts. I’ll treat you to a curry…Russ \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0(PS – 68 is young my friend).<\/p>\n ______________________________<\/p>\n From: Kevin Carroll<\/p>\n Subject: Robert Palmer<\/p>\n Hey Bob,\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Hope this finds you well. Just got your note on the chart. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been finding myself in a Robert Palmer place lately. I had a few connections with him. When I started in radio, Vinegar Joe was taking a shot in the US and they were on a promo tour in 1973. \u00c2\u00a0They came for a visit and he was extremely engaging. He wanted to learn more than hype. I added the record. It stiffed.\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Years later, I went to work for WB and \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0we had distribution of Island. We were humping \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Bad Case Of Loving You\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. I dressed up in a doctors outfit to deliver a major station, got a photo in the trades and the add, and a call from Robert thanking me.\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Fast forward to the release of his Clues. It was brilliant. Inspired by Gary Numan, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Johnny And Mary\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Looking For Clues\u00e2\u20ac\u009d still stand up today. Robert came with me to do a promo run. Mind you, this was unusual then, but his passion for his new sound drove him to take a personal approach. It worked.<\/p>\n He was undoubtedly one of the most charming artists I ever had the pleasure to work with. I think his music and artistry are largely overlooked. He, like Lowell George sometimes tend to be forgotten for their moment . And if you haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t heard Robert do \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Spanish Moon\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n Dig in on Robert\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6I forgot how good it was. But will never forgot what a class act he was.<\/p>\n Best, Kevin<\/p>\n ______________________________<\/p>\n From: alexander Mair<\/p>\n Subject: TouTube monetization<\/p>\n Mr. Beato made one big factual error in your interview\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6you need 4000 hours in twelve months, not one month, to monetize the video. You also need 1000+ subscribers.<\/p>\n ______________________________<\/p>\n Subject: Re: Harry Wayne Casey-This Week’s Podcast<\/p>\n Bob:<\/p>\n Loved the podcast with Harry Casey. I found it very interesting when he mentioned that he still listens to everything out there pop, country, r&b, ect. Back in 1977\/78 I was working as an order picker and 12″ buyer at Tone. KC and Rick used to come down to the warehouse at least once a week and pick up a copy of every new release and I mean everything. Doobie Brothers, Santana, Dolly Parton, whatever. Those guys listened to everything. Glad to hear he’s still at it.<\/p>\n Jay Rosenberg<\/p>\n ______________________________<\/p>\n From: Shammy Dee<\/p>\n Subject: Re: It’s Not A Hit<\/p>\n I’ve been thinking about this for a while.<\/p>\n I argue that Cardi B and Billie Eilish are the last superstars we’ll see until whatever is the next turn in this business.<\/p>\n As a DJ, I feel the streaming decentralization of hits and artists make my work a bit harder. It’s hard to know what the crowd likes because the crowd is way more into their own tastes. Like you said, who listens to radio anymore? The older crowds don’t dance to current hits and younger crowds can be fickle with their tastes. I can play a smash hit one night to a raving crowd and play it again the following night and the crowd will empty out the dancefloor.<\/p>\n The challenge has been making it harder to call what tracks will work, but that’s part of what makes a DJ great.<\/p>\n Maybe I’ll be playing a “Drivers License” remix by Olivia soon…Who knows?!<\/p>\n It will be interesting to see how this all plays out for artists in future years.<\/p>\n -Shammy<\/p>\n ______________________________<\/p>\n From: William Perkins<\/p>\n Subject: Re: Can’t You See At Love Rocks<\/p>\n RE: Toy Caldwell\/MTB\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Toy Caldwell apparently once said he would always treasure the first five words Duane Allman ever said to him: “Your strings are on wrong!”. Toy’s original band was called “Toy Factory”. I think “Marshall Tucker” may have been a blind piano tuner from South Carolina they knew..? Great guys, great band, and great producer, Paul Hornsby, who was in Hour Glass band with Duane, Gregg, and Producer Johnny Sandlin. Capricorn was the hottest indy label in the world for a while there in the 1970’s. I remember receiving a $997,000.00 royalty check one Friday afternoon for the Allman’s and racing it to their bank to pick up interest on it for them for the weekend! I still treasure my years around all of those guys. A true musical and spiritual time and family!\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Willie Perkins<\/p>\n ______________________________<\/p>\n Subject: Re: Can’t You See At Love Rocks<\/p>\n Bob,<\/p>\n You are correct. There isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t a guitar to be had in America right now because of unprecedented demand and we are seeing record enrollment at School of Rock. An outgrowth of the pandemic seems to be a renaissance in self expression not fully satisfied by beat-making, EDM and rap lyrics. There also is a frenzy to make music together, a feeling only achievable in an ensemble.<\/p>\n Long live Rock and\u00c2\u00a0Roll!<\/p>\n Rob Price<\/p>\n ______________________________<\/p>\n From: Chip Lovitt<\/p>\n Subject: Re: Can’t You See At Love Rocks<\/p>\n Great column, once again. And it drove me to one of my favorite Capricorn Records’ tunes, from Alex Taylor, brother of James, who recorded an LP, which I still have, called Alex Taylor with Friends and Neighbors. This cut, “Southbound,” knocked me out enough back then to buy the LP….but dig the lineup.<\/p>\n Scott Boyer and Tommy Talton of Cowboy on guitars, Johnny Sandlin on bass, and co-written by Greg Allman…how’s this for a groove? You gotta love Phil Walden and what Capricorn Records gave to the musical world! I love how it starts off as an acoustic, Taylorish tune, then the band kicks in. Keep up the good work!<\/p>\n