Pete Townshend on Mick Jagger’s father
I’m not sure if it’s been reported widely before, but Pete Townshend recently revealed that he used to bump into Mick Jagger’s dad around London and that Joe Jagger suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.
Read more
A Couple of Cool Steve Cropper Reissues
Steve Cropper celebrates his 82nd birthday next month with a little help from his friends. Translation: The beloved Booker T. & the MGs guitarist’s first solo album, 1969’s With A Little Help From My Friends, is being reissued with bonus tracks on October 13.
Read more
The Charlie Watts Auction – Gifts from Mick & Keith on the Block
Rolling Stones fans will be thrilled by a fascinating subset of items in the upcoming Charlie Watts auction of books and jazz ephemera at Christie’s. Among the 475 lots are eight that were gifts from the late drummer’s bandmates Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
Read more
Bite-sized Bob: Dylan shares 66 of his favorite songs
THE PHILOSOPHY OF MODERN SONG
By Bob Dylan
Simon & Schuster, $45 list; or $22.50 at Target and on Amazon at review date.
The new Bob Dylan book looks great and smells better.
Read more
Jann Wenner’s Back Pages: Memoirs of a Rolling Stone Groupie
LIKE A ROLLING STONE
A Memoir
By Jann S. Wenner
Little, Brown & Co. $35 list; $17.50 at Target and on Amazon at review date.
A bit of Dean appreciation, from Social Distortion
I just had to be the center of attention during Social Distortion’s recent run at the Belasco Theatre in Los Angeles.
I jest, of course. When I accidentally found myself in frontman Mike Ness’ sights, I froze in a mix of terror and pride as the punctilious punk poet complimented my hitherto perfect attendance.
Read more
John Lennon: As remembered by Steven Tyler, Jimmy Iovine, Jann Wenner
In December 2005, my boss asked me to write a story on the upcoming 25th anniversary of John Lennon’s death. I protested, as I always did when given an assignment, arguing that it was not news, that every day is a rock ‘n’ roll anniversary, and everything that can be said about Lennon has already been said a million different times.
Read more
Who was the “Rosie” in AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie?
Rosie was a Tasmanian mountain woman who had started turning up at gigs — Clinton Walker, Highway to Hell.
She ain’t exactly pretty, ain’t exactly small.
Read more
Book ’em, Bob. Dylan’s “Hawaii Five-O” cameo
Bob Dylan helped solve a daring bank heist in 1973. Is there anything this man can’t do?
Dylan’s hitherto unheralded feat occurred in Hawaii, although he didn’t need to set foot in the Aloha State.
Read more
Dinner with Eurythmics, Green Day in Beverly Hills
Tuxedo time at the Beverly Hilton in 2006, hanging out by the pool knocking back as many free Jack & cokes as possible before heading into the ballroom to acknowledge the writers and publishers of ASCAP’s most-played songs of the year.
Read more