Re: Rubberband Man!<\/p>\n
Bob, The Spinners’ immortal song, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Rubberband Man,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d has a special place in the history of Ben & Jerry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0On the last day of September in 1978, after surviving our first summer in business, Ben and I hosted a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fall Down Festival\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in front of our original scoop shop in Burlington Vermont.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0By far, the highlight of the day was the debut of the dramatic sledgehammer-smashing of a cinder block on the bare stomach of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Habeeni Ben Coheeni,” the noted Indian mystic.<\/p>\n
As the crowd gathered in anticipation, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Rubberband Man\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0was cranked out over the makeshift PA system. Habeeni appeared, bearing a passing resemblance to Ben, draped in a bed sheet and perched on a platform in the lotus position.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0He was carried onto the scene by six bearers, while chanting in a tongue not comprehended by mere mortals.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0His entrance completed, Habeeni took his place alongside of me, and I recounted the improbable story of how his holiness had come to be before them today.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ladies and Gentlemen, what you are about to see will astound and amaze you.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0What you have before you here today is the genuine article, the real thing.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0The man of rubber, the man of steel, the man whose body defies every law of nature!\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0Born in India, Habeeni was abandoned as a baby, but rescued and raised by Indian fakirs, those magical and mystical people.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0One day, Habeeni was studying at the temple of Rishikesh, when disaster struck \u00e2\u20ac\u201c an earthquake.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0The building crumbled, rubble and stones tumbling all around.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0However, Habeeni was able to survive by placing himself into a metabolic trance, which he will simulate here before us today.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
I then invited a few kids to come up and verify that indeed the cinder block and sledgehammer were real, and then Habeeni went metabolic, falling backwards into the hands of attendants, who suspended him in a supine position, between two chairs.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0Once he was settled in place, I pulled back the sheet, and placed the cinderblock on Habeeni\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bare belly. I then took the sledgehammer and, raising it high above my head, brought it crashing down on the cinder block, smashing it into lots of little pieces.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0To call it dramatic does not begin to capture what a spectacle it was.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Habeeni Ben Coheeni, ladies and gentlemen, the noted Indian mystic, Habeeni Ben Coheeni,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d reverberated over and over, as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Rubberband Man\u00e2\u20ac\u009d once again cranked out over the speakers.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0Habeeni, restored to his platform, left in triumph, carried out by his handlers, tossing flower petals to the pumped-up crowd.<\/p>\n
In later years, Habeeni returned to demonstrate his incredible feats at our annual shareholders meetings, but Habeeni and I realized we needed to forego this when it became too challenging to balance the cinder block on his ever rounding bare belly. Too much ice cream, wailed the cynics and nonbelievers.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0Yes, even for Habeeni himself.<\/p>\n
It was great to see the clip of the live performance of the Spinners singing their great song. Thanks also for the recent shout out for Americone Dream, my current favorite flavor.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Regards, Jerry Greenfield<\/p>\n
_________________________________<\/p>\n
From: Chuck Morris<\/p>\n
Subject: Mike Finnigan<\/p>\n
Just attended his service. Would love it if you wrote something on him. One amazing and wonderful guy. First met him when he played with Finnigan and Wood at my first club Tulagi in 1972. I,m sure you are aware of Mike being the most sort after sideman in the business playing for years with acts like CSN,Joe Cocker and the last 10 years Bonnie Raitt. He was a world class keyboard and organ player and one great singer. And most important this 6. 7 ex basketball player from Kansas University was one caring person who befriended all of us and had a lasting impact as one beautiful guy. His service was amazing with so many attended from Stephen Stills to all of Bonnie Raitt’s band. I loved the guy.<\/p>\n
_________________________________<\/p>\n
Subject: RE: The Bill Wyman Documentary<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I interviewed Bill during the Steel Wheels tour.\u00c2\u00a0 He had just written his autobiography. I imagine the book was intended to provide him some regular funding after he left the band.\u00c2\u00a0 Something that belonged to him.\u00c2\u00a0 I have several vivid memories of the interview.\u00c2\u00a0 One was that it was at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington DC.\u00c2\u00a0 They were performing that night at RFK Stadium. \u00c2\u00a0Each of the band members had their own floor in the hotel, each with their own elevator key.\u00c2\u00a0 I got off the elevator on Bill\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s floor and saw an empty hall with a guard seated in front of a suite.\u00c2\u00a0 Bill\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s suite was huge.\u00c2\u00a0 It had a huge living room (where we did the interview), and adjacent dining room, where he had his computer set up for writing.\u00c2\u00a0 He was very proud of the computer, and it was large enough for its own flight case.\u00c2\u00a0 He wrote his book on it, but he told me he was writing more.\u00c2\u00a0 He loved writing.\u00c2\u00a0 It was something he could do alone.\u00c2\u00a0 He told me some of the same stories that went into the documentary. He wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t very emotional or expressive.\u00c2\u00a0 He spoke very simply and calmly. \u00c2\u00a0At the end of the interview, I asked for a picture.\u00c2\u00a0 This was before cell phones, so we needed someone to snap the picture.\u00c2\u00a0 I figured he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d ask the security guard at the front door, but instead walked over to the bedroom.\u00c2\u00a0 He opened the door, and I could see two scantily clad young girls on the bed.\u00c2\u00a0 One of them came out and took the picture.\u00c2\u00a0 That was the end of the interview.\u00c2\u00a0 It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s only rock & roll.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
George Achaves<\/p>\n
_________________________________<\/p>\n
From: Eric Bazilian<\/p>\n
Subject: Re: The Brian Jones Documentary<\/p>\n
First line, second verse. Written in 1998(?).<\/p>\n
https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/track\/4EbTY9VKz1fmm08ifcp0ho?si=8oeg6GuGSwSjsVEC45o71A&dl_branch=1<\/p>\n
The Stones have existed with the title \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThe World\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Greatest Rock And Roll Band\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 but with Brian they were transcendent. Yes, Mick Taylor shredded rings around everyone else and Woody has fit like a glove around Mick and Keith since 1975, but Brian was the secret sauce, the left turn, the recorder in Ruby Tuesday, said sitar in Paint It, Black, the slide in Little Red Rooster. I stand by the first line, second verse.<\/p>\n
I did take her to see the Stones, finally, by the way. Several times.<\/p>\n
_________________________________<\/p>\n
From: Andre’ Cholmondeley<\/p>\n
Subject: Re: Music<\/p>\n
Oh man, Bob, you’re gonna trigger a LOT of people w this one.<\/p>\n
The part about\u00c2\u00a0musicians relaxing, smoking dope and think it’s not\u00c2\u00a0their fault when it doesn’t work out….ouch<\/p>\n
Stings but…..true for so very many. The fantasy of “being discovered” ……..and next thing you’re in a private jet, is still strong.<\/p>\n
One thing you didn’t say — but touched on when you mention how cheap it is to make music — is that thanks to globalization, democratization and easy access to tech — WHICH MUSICIANS CHAMPIONED FOR DECADES, we now have hundreds of thousands, probably millions MORE musicians than ever before.<\/p>\n
Which means — essentially infinite supply of music. From GLOBAL sources, when it used to be predominantly from…….the USA and UK.<\/p>\n
With a $200 pawnshop laptop, and a cheap mic, teens and 20-somethings are making great music. Sure, some\u00c2\u00a0bad music too. But as you say — that’s a sidebar. It’s music that gets heard.<\/p>\n
Made with free software for recording , synthesizers, promotions tools, hosting their music, streaming their shows etc. Free free free free free — yet older musicians want the payouts to be like 1989. Literally NO OTHER INDUSTRY would have economics like that — where the inputs approach free on so many fronts…. the creators explode in numbers, yet the principals expect the same market value for the item sold !!<\/p>\n
So the FIRST LAW of Economics kicks in — Supply & Demand.<\/p>\n
But musicians get MAD when that is brought up — they want the culprit to be “Spotify”, or ‘Apple” or “napster”, or “streaming” in general…all while they love their all-you-can-watch streaming bargains with Amazon, Hulu, Netflix. As you\u00c2\u00a0always\u00c2\u00a0point out\u00c2\u00a0 – NOBODY would go back to driving DVDs back & forth to Blockbuster\u00c2\u00a0 …..or the independent video rental place. Or dropping off their Kodak film to be developed for $25…. then half the pictures are blurry or your mom was blinking in the best shot. Nor would they give up the great “unlimited” cell phone plan and go back to the “600 mins for $35” model……<\/p>\n
On and on. A fantastic psychological experiment, watching fellow musicians literally stamp their feet like Dorothy trying to go back home…..to what never was anyway — it was always a record-company blanket party, with the execs running away with the major rewards.<\/p>\n
Andre\u00c2\u00b4Cholmondeley<\/p>\n
tech- Steve Howe\/YES<\/p>\n
& Celebrating David Bowie<\/p>\n
_________________________________<\/p>\n
From: THOMAS ALLEN<\/p>\n
Subject: Re: It’s A Team Sport<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6.yup\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6..there was a time when burl ives sold records\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n
_________________________________<\/p>\n
Subject: Re: It’s A Team Sport<\/p>\n
Bailed on Guns last night in Phoenix after I realized there was no policy to show either a negative test or vaccination. So 19k ppl packed in there like this is all over. No thanks. Can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe Axl, Slash, Duff and the rest of the hired Guns are ok with this, and are willing to risk their own health. Strange times continue.<\/p>\n
Marcus Thunich<\/p>\n
Glendale, AZ<\/p>\n
_________________________________<\/p>\n
From: Linden Coll<\/p>\n
Subject: Covid – NYT’s UK article can’t be trusted. “Scotland could impose new restrictions as Delta cases rise”<\/p>\n
Sure, there’s a lot of people\/idiots acting as if its all over – especially the young, but the article failed to mention the music festival in Cornwall<\/p>\n
mid-august which was prominent in the news recently because it led to ~5,000 new infections.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2021\/aug\/23\/almost-5000-covid-cases-linked-to-cornish-music-and-surf-festival-boardmasters<\/p>\n
Scotland’s schools went back a couple of weeks ago and predictably cases are suddenly escalating<\/p>\n
England’s return this week with universities following later in the month.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/londonlovesbusiness.com\/scotland-could-impose-new-restrictions-as-delta-cases-rise-which-will-move-to-parts-the-uk-soon\/<\/p>\n
rgds<\/p>\n
LC<\/p>\n
_________________________________<\/p>\n
Subject: Re: Don’t Ya Mess With Me<\/p>\n
Hey, Bob –<\/p>\n
What’s interesting musically about “Baby, I Need Your Loving” is the variable verse lengths.\u00c2\u00a0Of course, it’s a Holland-Dozier-Holland composition but rarely, if ever, would they utilize anything but the standard four-line verses and choruses.<\/p>\n
But for BINYL, the instrumental intro is three couplets, the first verse is seven couplets, the second verse is five, followed by the four-couplet bridge (of sorts) and the eight-couplet third verse. But all the choruses are four lines (all the easier to sing along to) and it fades with a vamped chorus.<\/p>\n
If you’re playing it live, you really have to be paying attention.<\/p>\n
Love to learn how that came about if anyone has any backgrounder on the writing and the session.<\/p>\n
Thanks,<\/p>\n
Larry Butler<\/p>\n
_________________________________<\/p>\n
From: Tom Johnston<\/p>\n
Subject: Re: Don’t Ya Mess With Me<\/p>\n
Thanks for the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153window\u00e2\u20ac\u009d! I agree on Oh Mexico and a couple of other tracks on the full length album.<\/p>\n
We played Chicago last night to 25,000 people and they did respond to the new stuff and in general tore it up for the whole show which is 2 1\/2 hrs.<\/p>\n
From the road,<\/p>\n
Tom<\/p>\n
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Re: Rubberband Man! Bob, The Spinners’ immortal song, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Rubberband Man,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d has a special place in the history of Ben & Jerry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0On the last day of September in 1978, after surviving our first summer in business, Ben and I hosted a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fall Down Festival\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in front of our original scoop shop in Burlington Vermont.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0By far, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[20,1,2,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17812","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-food","category-life","category-music-business","category-the-music"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p96vPs-4Di","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17812","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17812"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17812\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17813,"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17812\/revisions\/17813"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17812"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17812"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17812"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}