More Who Shot Rock & Roll?

The Ramones by Ian Dickson.

The NY Times reviews the new show of rock photos, Who Shot Rock & Roll?, at the Brooklyn Museum. Slideshow of images here.

The one below might be my favorite. What a knockout shot!


Wilson Pickett & Jimi Hendrix by William "PoPsie" Randolph.

Friday Ephemera - Jagger & Warhol

This letter from Mick Jagger to Andy Warhol, dated April 21, 1969, recently appeared at Letters of Note. It was then forwarded to me by my friend Andy at NY Rocker. I KNOW I've seen this before and just can't remember where - a book about the Stones? Somewhere else on the internet? Damn my addled brain!

Anyway, Mick is pitching Warhol for artwork for a "new hits album," but basic history tells us that this didn't happen. What did happen a couple of years later though was Sticky Fingers. Interesting stuff...

Chuck Biscuits RIP - Not

LAST UPDATE, PT. 3: For more on the strange Chuck Biscuits story click here, which is apparently where it began. Lets hope that's the end of it.

UPDATE PT. 2: Since posting about this twice earlier today, it's seeming more & more like some sort of weird hoax. Why anyone, besides the person in question (which would still be a bit strange), would try to do something like this is beyond me.

UPDATE: Since posting this earlier in the day, I'm now starting to see rumors online that this is not true & some sort of hoax. More to be revealed? Lets hope so.



Chuck Biscuits - RIP

Growing up - Bruce Springsteen at Max's

(Max's listing courtesy of BruceBase.)

Somewhat inspired by a recent admission by Alistair over at Unpopular, and due to some information I was seeking out, I stumbled upon this amazing vintage video of Bruce Springsteen performing acoustically at Max's Kansas City, circa 1972. According to the notes, he was opening for Dave Van Ronk and Doris Abrahams.

Not so much a guilty pleasure as a matter of time, I suppose, I've never been a huge Springsteen fan. However enough friends & folks, who I respect, over the years have been taken enough by the Boss' output that I couldn't help but be influenced to some degree. There have been moments where I've been completely caught up. The first being the epic live video for Born To Run which, I think, was released in conjunction with the live boxset around 1985. How could I not get swept up with that song, that crowd? You'd have to be a soulless bastard to not be affected somehow.

Then I remember quite liking his divorce album, Tunnel of Love, from 1987. The production sounds somewhat dated at this point, but the songs are timeless. I liked the fact that the lyrics were seemingly more personal than usual, and they were downright depressing...a big plus for me!

Most recently, I must admit to quite enjoying 2007's Magic, especially Girls In Their Summer Clothes. And I was really impressed by his performance at this year's Stupor Bowl back in January. As the baggage lessens with age, I like my Springsteen best by accident, on the radio, on shuffle...when I'm not expecting it, at the seeming perfect moment.

Anyway, I say all this to say that, no matter what you think of his music, and I'm FAR from his biggest fan, you really have to hand it someone who connects with his audience the way he always has. Growin' Up, from his 1973 debut Greetings From Asbury Park, has always been another favorite. Watch this video from 1972, and try to imagine how this 23 year old felt...I'll bet he was nervous, but he acted like he belonged there. I don't necessarily have the patience for 3 hour concerts, but I always have time for moments. Here's a great moment for you:

Just Because - Edwyn Collins

You've given me a head start
I'm brewing up a brainstorm
And we'll leave the grungers far behind
In the quagmire of their unkempt minds

Cos it got no style, no elequence, no elegance, no sensuality
All it takes is common sense
For anyone to see

As world keeps turning,
you got to keep on learning
you got to keep on yearning
you got to keep on burning

Soupy Sales RIP

Soupy Sales - RIP

The one(s) nobody sings

Congrats to our friend Kevin who runs the inspirational London Nobody Sings blog. He has a great story over at Zani regarding the hows, whys, and wheretofores, of TLNS story.

"Having quickly collated a long list of London songs, it became apparent there were no conclusions to be drawn about a specific London voice or sound, except that its musical map and make-up is as wonderfully mixed-up and messed-up as the city itself. That’s actually got to be a good thing. You name it, and it’s represented in a London song. Every emotion and pretty much every location have been sung about. Either by a born and bred Londoner or an adopted son or daughter.

Certain things did emerge as the project developed. Certain sorts of music proved to be rich sources of London songs, for example. The music hall tradition, about which the great Colin MacInnes wrote so vividly in his Sweet Saturday Night, is a real treasure trove of London songs, with some wonderfully witty words. From Albert Chevalier’s Knocked ‘Em In The Old Kent Road to Gus Elen’s Postman’s Holiday to George Formby Snr’s Looking For Mugs In The Strand. And there are plenty more where they came from." Continues here.

While you're at it, don't forget to visit the New York Nobody Sings.

I've been saying it for years

Thanks Debbie!

Who shot rock & roll?

For all you music, photography, and music photography nuts out there, the Brooklyn Museum has a doozy of an exhibit coming up called Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present. This is epic!


Andy Earl (British, born circa 1955). Bow Wow Wow, 1981 (printed 2009).

October 30, 2009–January 31, 2010
Morris A. and Meyer Schapiro Wing, 5th Floor

Who Shot Rock & Roll is the first major museum exhibition on rock and roll to put photographers in the foreground, acknowledging their creative and collaborative role in the history of rock music. From its earliest days, rock and roll was captured in photographs that personalized, and frequently eroticized, the musicians, creating a visual identity for the genre. The photographers were handmaidens to the rock-and-roll revolution, and their images communicate the social and cultural transformations that rock has fostered since the1950s. The exhibition is in six sections: rare and revealing images taken behind the scenes; tender snapshots of young musicians at the beginnings of their careers; exhilarating photographs of live performances that display the energy, passion, style, and sex appeal of the band on stage; powerful images of the crowds and fans that are often evocative of historic paintings; portraits revealing the soul and creativity, rather than the surface and celebrity, of the musicians; and conceptual images and album covers highlighting the collaborative efforts between the image makers and the musicians.


Baron Wolman (American, born 1937). Little Richard, Fillmore West, San Francisco, October 19, 1969 (printed circa 1985).

Featured photographers include:

Amy Arbus, Richard Avedon, Ray Avery, David Bailey, Roberta Bayley, Peter Beste, Adrian Boot, Justin Borucki, Patti Boyd, Ed Caraeff, Stephanie Chernikowski, Danny Clinch, Anton Corbijn, David Corio, Kevin Cummins, Henry Diltz, Alain Dister, George DuBose, Andy Earl, Barry Feinstein, Danny Fields, Nat Finkelstein, Glen E. Friedman, Jill Furmanovsky, David Gahr, Godlis, Lynn Goldsmith, Harry Goodwin, Julia Gorton, Jean-Paul Goude, Bob Gruen, Andreas Gursky, Ross Halfin, Hipgnosis, Dennis Hopper, Don Hunstein, Marvin Israel, Art Kane, Richard Kern, Daniel Kramer, David LaChapelle, Elliott Landy, Michael Lavine, Lisa Law, Annie Leibowitz, Jean-Pierre Leloir, Laura Levine, Ari Marcopoulos, Maripol, Jim Marshall, Elaine Mayes, Linda McCartney, Ryan McGinley, Dennis Morris, Shawn Mortensen, Terry O’Neill, Jean-Marie Perier, Charles Peterson, Ricky Powell, Michael Putland, William “Popsie” Randolph, Marcia Resnick, Ebet Roberts, Mick Rock, Ethan Russell, Jerry Schatzberg, Hannes Schmid, Stephane Sednaoui, Bob Seidemann, Mark Seliger, Stephen Shames, Lloyd Shearer, Kate Simon, Hedi Slimane, Pennie Smith, Gloria Stavers, Chris Stein, Ray Stevenson, Mayayoshi Sukita, Allan Tannenbaum, Edmund Teske, Storm Thorgerson, Ian Tilton, Philip Townsend, Albert Watson, Guy Webster, Barrie Wentzell, Alfred Wertheimer, Kevin Westenberg, Robert Whitaker, Timothy White, Ernest C. Withers, and Baron Wolman.

Featured subjects include:

The B-52s, The Beatles, Chuck Berry, Bjork, Blondie, David Bowie, Bow Wow Wow, James Brown, Johnny Cash, Nick Cave, Exene Cervenka, Eric Clapton, The Clash, Kurt Cobain, Elvis Costello, The Cramps, The Dead Boys, P. Diddy, The Doors, Bob Dylan, Marianne Faithful, Aretha Franklin, Alan Freed, Fugazi, Jerry Garcia, Bill Haley, Debbie Harry, Richard Hell, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Holly, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Jay-Z, Brian Jones, Grace Jones, Janis Joplin, Joy Division, KISS, Gladys Knight, Led Zep, John Lennon, Little Richard, LL Cool J, Madonna, The Mamas and the Papas, Marilyn Manson, Bob Marley, Paul McCartney, Freddy Mercury, Metallica, Method Man, Morrissey, Jim Morrison, New York Dolls, Notorious B.I.G., Oasis, Wilson Pickett, Pink Floyd, The Police, Iggy Pop, Elvis Presley, The Pretenders, Prince, The Prodigy, Radiohead, The Ramones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M., Keith Richards, The Ronettes, Rolling Stones, Henry Rollins, Axl Rose, Run-DMC, Salt n Pepa, Sex Pistols, Tupac Shakur, Sid & Nancy, Patti Smith, Sonic Youth, The Specials, Buffalo Springfield, Bruce Springsteen, Sly Stone, Joe Strummer, Talking Heads, Pete Townsend, Ike & Tina Turner, U2, Velvet Underground, Bunny Wailer, The White Stripes, The Who, Amy Winehouse, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, and Frank Zappa.

The Brooklyn Museum
Location: 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York 11238-6052
Telephone: (718) 638-5000
Admission: Suggested Contribution: $10; Students with Valid ID: $6; Adults 62 and over: $6; Members: Free; Children under 12: Free
Hours: Wednesday–Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

To go along with the exhibit of course is a companion book which I'm sure will be available at the museum.


Barry Feinstein (American, born 1931). Bob Dylan with Kids, Liverpool, England, 1966 (printed 2009).

Etherea Records lives on, sort of

The sound of vinyl is in the air, what with the WFMU Record Fair around the corner, and all. I just received the following note from Rich, former proprietor of Etherea Records, concerning his remaining stock. Get in touch. Go dig, baby.

"As most of you know, I closed Etherea back in March, and moved all my records to an office space in DUMBO, Brooklyn. While I planned to sell at record fairs and online, and have done a little of both, I'd like to invite you down to dig. I have here about 5000 records, some new overstock and mostly used/collectible electronic vinyl from the past decade. There were many boxes in storage that were never put out for one reason or another. Some things I had put aside for myself, but never took home.

Genres include: Techno (lots of Kompakt-distributed labels, Get Physical, mint records from ten years ago that have been in a box!), house (MAW, Sleeping Bag, UK labels, Chicago artists, etc), idm and ambient (the orb, rephlex, AFX, etc.), classic rock, jazz, soul, and lots of 70's rock, post punk, new wave.

This stuff has NOT picked through, only a couple crates of records have made it to the two record fairs that I have sold at this year. Records will be priced at half or less of retail value, so collectible titles that sell for $20 would be $10 each, $12 import 12's will be $5-6, $7 records are $3, etc.

I also have CDs for sale, posters, and LP mailers. There will be a bag of freebies. I have one portable turntable to sample. I am making appointments only during the week, 9-5pm. Feel free to forward this to friends. Please email me with any questions you have, or specific wants."

Autumnal reading part deux

After posting my autumnal reading list, I realized I neglected to mention The Velvet Underground from Rizzoli. I just saw a copy in a store and it's absolutely gorgeous. There is also a Deluxe Edition (pictured below).

"The Velvet Underground is an astonishing assembly of rare objects and artworks and the first book of its scale to document the formative years of the band Time Out magazine named the greatest New York musicians of all time. From never-before-seen photographs of the band’s first live show in New York to Andy Warhol’s cover and poster designs, Lou Reed’s handwritten music and lyrics, underground press clippings and controversial reviews, flyers, handbills, and posters, the materials here comprise a uniquely comprehensive survey of the first rock group ever to transcend the genre and embrace underground popular culture. Including a conversation recorded especially for the book between founding members Lou Reed and John Cale, and contributions from drummer Maureen Tucker, this beautifully illustrated book is the first to present a definitive picture of the band’s genesis and development in the extraordinary New York scene of the mid- to late-1960s."

The Many Lives of Tom Waits

The Many Lives of Tom Waits by Patrick Humphries


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Of the several widely available biographies on Tom Waits, this one should be last on the list. Uninspired, poorly edited, lazily written, and unfocused. Believe you me. I like to think I know from Tom Waits books.

View all my reviews >>

Going backwards

Have I mentioned I've been volunteering once a week at WFMU? I've been doing audio editing for online archiving of music played on the radio shows. Yesterday I worked on a show that only plays old cylinders & 78's on authentic old phonograph equipment. It's called the Antique Phonograph Music Program, and airs weekly. I was cutting up songs from the show so they could be offered at the Free Music Archive. Great stuff! You can listen and/or download for free here. There are also many other genres of copyright free music on that site as well.



I've also had the pleasure of working on edits of shows from Debbie D, and the Holy Trinity of WFMU Rock 'n' Soul DJ's: Spazz, Rex and Finewine. This music can be streamed by visiting WFMU's Rock & Soul Ichiban blog. Look for the streaming link in the right hand column. If obscure rock, soul, garage, and R&B is your bag, then this will definitely tickle your musical funny bone.

Lastly, don't forget about next weekend's Record Fair!

Autumnal Reading

The Stooges: The Authorized and Illustrated Story



All Hopped Up and Ready to Go: Music from the Streets of New York 1927-77



Bomp 2: Born In the Garage



Hold On to Your Dreams: Arthur Russell and the Downtown Music Scene, 1973-1992



Bande A'part: New York Underground 60's - 80's



Spray Paint the Walls: The Story of Black Flag



Route 19 Revisited: The Clash and London Calling

Downtown Calling

I received the good news this morning announcing the website for a new film called Downtown Calling. I've known about it for a while and have been waiting very patiently to see it as I had seen the trailer a while back, and it really has me excited. It covers the New York City underground creative scene circa 1975-1985, and the filmmakers have really dug deep in terms of who they spoke with & interviewed. The archival footage looks pretty amazing as well. I've been told personally by both Sal P (Liquid Liquid) and Michael Holman (Gray) that its really good.

Synopsis: "In the late 1970s, the “greatest city in the world” was teetering on the edge of total chaos. A failed economy, crime and en mass housing corruption gave way to a city in crisis. Yet out of the economic and social strife that held the “Big Apple” hostage, a family of homegrown cultures that would forever change the world began to emerge. Downtown Calling not only documents, in detail, the evolution of New York City’s fertile music and art subculture during this period, but how its collective output continues to play a prominent, driving role in the international fashion, art and music industries today."

Anyway, visit the film's site here, as well as the Facebook page if you're so inclined. Hope you like it. Maybe I'll see you at a screening.

Brendan Mullen RIP

Brendan Mullen - RIP. Ugh, this year has really been a doozy.

Tom Waits - new site & new live album

Tom Waits' website has been refurbished & relaunched, and I must say it's a beaut. It has a full on discography, track streams, a great photo section, and more. Plus the layout & look of the site are very well thought out. For me, the best thing is being able to download an 8 track preview of his next release, Glitter & Doom Live (free eight track preview & pre-order available here), as well as the vinyl version of the Orphans set. There are also t-shirts for sale which must be the first time (at least that I know of) in which official tees from Waits have been widely available.

Tom Waits - Glitter and Doom Live from Anti Records on Vimeo

Nat Finkelstein RIP

Nat Finkelstein - RIP

Shelby Singleton & Irving Penn RIP

Shelby Singleton - RIP



Irving Penn - RIP

Just Because - the Sonics

I know, I know

Things are pretty quiet around here right now. I am working on a post listing some of the cool books I'm looking forward to that are coming out this fall, but otherwise there just isn't that much going on.

In the meantime, please check out my current eBay auction right here. There are a couple of rare baseball albums there just in time for the playoffs. And early next week, I'll be listing a boatload of Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab releases - both vinyl & CD. Including both the Beatles & Rolling Stones boxes!

Also, I have plenty of inexpensive, gently used CD's available on Amazon - click here.

And, of course, please visit Stupefaction's sister blog, the New York That Nobody Sings.

Mr. Magic RIP

Mr. Magic - RIP

Friday Ephemera

I'll have a bit of that, thank you.