Garage Anthem “Wild Thing” Hits # One Today-July 30, 1966!

What I wouldn`t do to get my hands on one of those MOD Pinstripe-Suits that The Troggs are wearing in their video for Wild Thing. Those relics remain in mostly forgotten Fashion Museums, exclusively these days. Did you know that today marks the day that Wild Thing reached # 1 on the Pop Charts? But my good friend, that was July 30, 1966. After Wild Thing everything CHANGED! How could one simplistic pop song completely alter the very fabric of history?

The Garage Anthem had an impact on our youth that catapulted every local yokel in the neighborhood to pick up a cheap Japanese electric guitar, hook it up to a cheap Sears Robuck Amplifier, then to memorize (lyrics and chording) Wild Thing to (use as a tool) to woo the kids in the neighborhood. This is how I got my start in the music business.

Before I forget, a couple of important details about Wild Thing should be noted. The composer was Chip Taylor, the brother to Jon Voight and the uncle of Angelina Jolie. The other (Wild) thing is that the song had a tremendous influence on our Punk Rock icons. Amongst those who derived inspiration from Wild Thing are: The Ramones, Iggy Pop and the Buzzcocks.

Let us not forget Jimi Hendrix`s version from Monterey Pop. This is probably the most memorable cover of the Garagie Anthem, that will not ever go away. One last thing that I don`t want to omit, is THE TROGG TAPES, which is a bootleg tape of a BAND ROW from 1972 that is the source of inspiration for Spinal Tap. I`ve never even heard the tape, and will seek it out as keepsake of Rock History! TGIF

Flying Pasties For Airport Full-Body Scans

“A Web site based in Las Vegas is selling stick-on ‘Flying Pasties’ to shy airline travelers fearful of full-body scanners.

Flyingpasties.com said the products come in a ‘male bottom’ and a three-piece female set designed to conceal the private parts of the wearers from full-body scanners at airports, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Thursday.

However, Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said anything the scanners identify as ‘an anomaly’ results in additional screening, including possible full-body pat downs.”

UPI

Ten bucks is a small price for a man to pay to protect his manhood for becoming an object or fascination or ridicule.

It seems unfair that the three-piece female set goes for 17 bucks, women should file a discrimination suit against Flyingpasties.com.

I no longer travel by airplane, it’s too much of a hassle. Thank goodness that I’m not forced to wear pasties when I travel by train, at least not yet.

Holy Bird Crap! Canopy To Be Erected To Catch Pigeon Poop!

“Community leaders in Kansas City, Mo., say they will suspend a fabric canopy under a highway to catch pigeon waste to try to keep a sidewalk clean.”

The Tonight Show As A Talk Show Format Premieres On July 29, 1957

On this very night of July 29th, but way back in 1957, The Tonight Show was broadcast on NBC, with Jack Paar as host. This would be in the talk show format that we are familiar with. Johnny Carson went on to perfect and refine this format. Jack Paar  hosted The Tonight Show from 1957-1962. Johnny Carson hosted it from 1962 to 1992. I think most of us saw the very last show, May 22, 1992. You can still see it on YouTube.

It must be noted that it was Steve Allen who premiered The Tonight Show on September 27, 1954. This earlier version of the show, however, was more strictly an entertainment format. When Jack Paar took over it became a more serious talk show, with guests such as Peter Ustinov and a regular, conservative intellectual, William F. Buckley, Jr.

My main memories are of Johnny Carson and all of his outlandish characters, such as Art Fern, Floyd R. Turbo, Aunt Blabby and of course Carnac The Magnificent. If it weren`t for The Tonight Show I wouldn`t have been able to have a proper conversation with my Dad when I was growing up. Dad could laugh while we were watching the show and pontificate some important life lessons, most of which I tried to learn.

I`ll link for you some Classic Carson, when Dean Martin and Bob Hope were on some time in 1969. That pic is Johnny from that show with Deano and Bob. Look to see if you think Dean is really intoxicated or is merely acting the role. He`s certainly got his image down. We owe a lot to these early forefathers of late night TV. Jay, Conan and David carry on the tradition.

Dude Sends Nude Pic Of Himself To Girlfriend’s Mom By Mistake

Chicken Race Held In Parking Lot Of Detroit Bar

“Praise and Blame” Is Tom Jones` Take On The American Songbook

Tom Jones` new gospel/soul album, Praise & Blame, is out today! Tom is 70, but his voice is still in tact. My take is it`s even better now; deeper, more smoky, resonating with hurt and experience. One good example is Tom`s rendition of Nobody`s Fault But Mine. The backing tracks are minimal, with drums, bass and guitar only. This leaves room for Tom to belt out the blues unimpeded. This is fantastic! It`s grassroots blues with a song originally done by Blind Willie Johnson in the late 1920s.

This is surprising, coming from a British singer whose reputation is forged from the mold of a torch/lounge singer. Ain`t No Grave was the title of Johnny Cash`s last album. Tom covers the song written by Claude Ely with gutsy gusto. Some of the songs are early rhythm and blues numbers, such as Run On. Run On was covered by Johnny Cash on his last album (before he died) and was done by Odetta in 1956.

The first track is a Bob Dylan song, What Good Am I? What Good Am I comes from Oh Mercy from 1989. Lord Help is more Chicago electric blues. After all is said and done, Did Trouble Me will probably be the hit on this Tom Jones` milestone of a record. Did Trouble Me was written by Susan Werner and could be categorized as Gospel.

I think you will be absolutely blown away by Praise & Blame! I believe it will be a big hit, especially here in the States. Tom can embrace Americana with a surprising sympathy and understanding for the American Experience. Especially considering that he is a Brit.

Dude Survives Fall From 16th Floor Balcony

“A 15-year-old New Zealand boy has survived with minor injuries after falling 16-storeys from the balcony of his family’s apartment onto a concrete floor, New Zealand media reported on Monday.

The Kids Are All Right-Great Movie, Great Soundtrack!

I saw The Kids Are All Right on Saturday. I didn`t expect too much, but was pleasantly surprised by the movie`s depth in dealing with dodgy issues, such as lesbianism, the nuclear family or lack of it, as well as the simple issue of preparing a child for college life. One thing that I immediately noticed was just how good the soundtrack was. Lots of instrumental guitar work against footage of an organic farmer, Mark Ruffalo, filling a basket of fresh fruit and self-grown vegetables.

One scene in the movie has Annette Bening and Mark Ruffalo making a connection on their mutual love of Joni Mitchell album Blue. All I Want is included on the soundtrack. Galatea`s Guitar by Gabor Szabo is, I believe, the track I was thinking of that provides the wonderful ambience of a California organic farm, where many of the scenes are shot.

You will need to see The Kids Are All Right, there is so much going right in here. Lisa Cholodenko directed it and wrote the screenplay, which really works in every sense. And please be sure to check out the kids in the movie, Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson, they really make it happen! Search your storage facilities, too, for your old Joni Mitchell album Blue, a classic worth revisiting.

Milkshakes Are For Drinking, Not For Hurling At Cars

“The husband of a Connecticut woman ticketed for allegedly throwing a milkshake into another car said he thinks the other driver should also have been ticketed.

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