Category: News
While playing music trivia on AOL, Gerry Rafferty's name came up. Most people remember him as the lead singer for Stealer's Wheel with their one big U.S. hit, "Stuck in the Middle with You" (they had one other hit, "Star," in 1974). He had a major solo hit in late 1978 with "Baker Street" from the spectacular album City to City. Two more hits followed from that album, but he never equaled that success in the States.
Apparently Rafferty, 61, was in St. Thomas Hospital in London for liver failure treatment or alcohol treatment (it is unclear which, or it could be both). He checked himself out of the hospital August 1, leaving his clothes and personal effects behind. The hospital filed a missing person report with the police, but to date Rafferty has not been seen since.
Here's hoping Rafferty turns up soon and is able to get his personal problems sorted out.
And, if you want to hear some of the best music of the last 30 years, put on City to City.
Link to story
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
What a Fitting Day to Clinch
Category: Sports/Music Tribute
On Saturday, September 20, the Chicago Cubs clinched the National League Central Division for the second consecutive year with a 5-4 victory at Wrigley Field. They could not have scripted a better day to clinch. September 20th was also the 24th anniversary of the death of Steve Goodman.
Most knowledgeable music fans know the connection: Goodman's 1984 song, "Go Cubs Go," blares over the Wrigley Field PA system after every victory.
Steve Goodman was born in Chicago and spent most of his career based there. He made friends with another Chicago folk singer, John Prine, and the two became best friends. They wrote one of Goodman's signature songs, "You Never Even Call Me By My Name," although Prine never accepted royalties for the tune that became popular thanks to David Allan Coe's recording.
As a Chicago resident, Goodman was a Cubs fan. He lamented the bad days of the Cubs in "A Dying Cubs Fan's Last Request." Cubs officials weren't very impressed with Goodman's hilarious but true (at the time) observation that the North Siders were "the doormat of the National League" and the dying man was going to "see the Angels play, but you the living, you're stuck with the Cubs, so it's me that feels sorry for you!" As the Cubs improved, in 1984 Goodman penned the far more optimistic "Go Cubs Go," originally pegged as the opening for WGN radio's broadcasts. The Cubs won their first division since 1945 in 1984.
Sadly, Goodman didn't live to see the clinching game. Four days before the Cubs made their first post-War post-season, Goodman died. Diagnosed with leukemia at age 20, Goodman lived for 15 years in remission. When things took a turn for the worse, a bone marrow transplant was performed. Post-operative complications set in, and Goodman's kidneys failed, claiming his life at the age of 36 on September 20, 1984.
Goodman's legacy lives on, however. He was awarded two posthumous Grammy Awards, the first in 1985 as songwriter of the "Best Country Song" because of Willie Nelson's woefully inferior recording of "City of New Orleans" (first a hit by Arlo Guthrie). His fans keep his memory alive, most notably John Prine (who included "Souvenirs," the duet version with Goodman, on the Rhino Great Days anthology) and Jimmy Buffett, who has recorded such Goodman gems as "Door Number Three," "This Hotel Room," and "California Promises."
Now, thanks to the people at Wrigley Field, Goodman now has his biggest hit: "Go Cubs Go." Hopefully, sometime during this playoff season, one of the networks covering the games will do a tribute to the man behind the song.
I also hope that, when the dust at home plate clears, they no longer "still sing the blues in Chicago" but sing "Go Cubs Go" throughout the World Series championship celebration.
On Saturday, September 20, the Chicago Cubs clinched the National League Central Division for the second consecutive year with a 5-4 victory at Wrigley Field. They could not have scripted a better day to clinch. September 20th was also the 24th anniversary of the death of Steve Goodman.
Most knowledgeable music fans know the connection: Goodman's 1984 song, "Go Cubs Go," blares over the Wrigley Field PA system after every victory.
Steve Goodman was born in Chicago and spent most of his career based there. He made friends with another Chicago folk singer, John Prine, and the two became best friends. They wrote one of Goodman's signature songs, "You Never Even Call Me By My Name," although Prine never accepted royalties for the tune that became popular thanks to David Allan Coe's recording.
As a Chicago resident, Goodman was a Cubs fan. He lamented the bad days of the Cubs in "A Dying Cubs Fan's Last Request." Cubs officials weren't very impressed with Goodman's hilarious but true (at the time) observation that the North Siders were "the doormat of the National League" and the dying man was going to "see the Angels play, but you the living, you're stuck with the Cubs, so it's me that feels sorry for you!" As the Cubs improved, in 1984 Goodman penned the far more optimistic "Go Cubs Go," originally pegged as the opening for WGN radio's broadcasts. The Cubs won their first division since 1945 in 1984.
Sadly, Goodman didn't live to see the clinching game. Four days before the Cubs made their first post-War post-season, Goodman died. Diagnosed with leukemia at age 20, Goodman lived for 15 years in remission. When things took a turn for the worse, a bone marrow transplant was performed. Post-operative complications set in, and Goodman's kidneys failed, claiming his life at the age of 36 on September 20, 1984.
Goodman's legacy lives on, however. He was awarded two posthumous Grammy Awards, the first in 1985 as songwriter of the "Best Country Song" because of Willie Nelson's woefully inferior recording of "City of New Orleans" (first a hit by Arlo Guthrie). His fans keep his memory alive, most notably John Prine (who included "Souvenirs," the duet version with Goodman, on the Rhino Great Days anthology) and Jimmy Buffett, who has recorded such Goodman gems as "Door Number Three," "This Hotel Room," and "California Promises."
Now, thanks to the people at Wrigley Field, Goodman now has his biggest hit: "Go Cubs Go." Hopefully, sometime during this playoff season, one of the networks covering the games will do a tribute to the man behind the song.
I also hope that, when the dust at home plate clears, they no longer "still sing the blues in Chicago" but sing "Go Cubs Go" throughout the World Series championship celebration.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
It's Jim Brady All Over Again
Category: News Rant
If you are old enough, you remember the assassination attempt on the life of President Reagan on March 30, 1981. Reagan's press secretary, James Brady, was shot in the head during the attack. In their rush to be "first with the news," CBS reported Brady died without checking their facts.
Flash forward to August 20, 2008. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, a Congresswoman from Cleveland, is declared dead by CNN, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, two Cleveland TV news station web sites, a Cleveland radio station, and then it's picked up by everyone as official.
One problem: this was at approximately 2:00 p.m. Tubbs Jones was still alive at the time.
Two hours later, the media outlets are tripping over themselves, blaming -- of course -- everyone except THEMSELVES for not checking sources. A number of comments left at various Cleveland news outlets voiced as much outrage over the inaccurate reporting as the sadness over the sudden loss of their representative.
And they should be outraged. Only one station's web site stated that a news conference was scheduled for 2 PM and nothing else, bucking the trend to be first with the news and settling instead to be first with the correct news.
It doesn't take that much effort to check a source. And the fact that the Congresswoman did indeed succumb to the massive brain aneurysm later in the evening does not excuse the WRONG reporting of her early demise.
WKYC's web site has a motto posted: "Report the facts. Respect the truth." Their site was the sole holdout for confirmation of Tubbs Jones' condition, and as a result they were the only ones who did not have to wipe egg off their face...or require a refresher course in Journalism 101.
My condolences to Stephanie Tubbs Jones' friends and constituents, and especially her family who should not have to endure the added trauma of bad news reporting for the sake of being able to brag they were "first to report" in a future ratings commercial.
If you are old enough, you remember the assassination attempt on the life of President Reagan on March 30, 1981. Reagan's press secretary, James Brady, was shot in the head during the attack. In their rush to be "first with the news," CBS reported Brady died without checking their facts.
Flash forward to August 20, 2008. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, a Congresswoman from Cleveland, is declared dead by CNN, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, two Cleveland TV news station web sites, a Cleveland radio station, and then it's picked up by everyone as official.
One problem: this was at approximately 2:00 p.m. Tubbs Jones was still alive at the time.
Two hours later, the media outlets are tripping over themselves, blaming -- of course -- everyone except THEMSELVES for not checking sources. A number of comments left at various Cleveland news outlets voiced as much outrage over the inaccurate reporting as the sadness over the sudden loss of their representative.
And they should be outraged. Only one station's web site stated that a news conference was scheduled for 2 PM and nothing else, bucking the trend to be first with the news and settling instead to be first with the correct news.
It doesn't take that much effort to check a source. And the fact that the Congresswoman did indeed succumb to the massive brain aneurysm later in the evening does not excuse the WRONG reporting of her early demise.
WKYC's web site has a motto posted: "Report the facts. Respect the truth." Their site was the sole holdout for confirmation of Tubbs Jones' condition, and as a result they were the only ones who did not have to wipe egg off their face...or require a refresher course in Journalism 101.
My condolences to Stephanie Tubbs Jones' friends and constituents, and especially her family who should not have to endure the added trauma of bad news reporting for the sake of being able to brag they were "first to report" in a future ratings commercial.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Talk About Eerie
Category: Obituary/News
Isaac Hayes was found unresponsive by his treadmill in his Memphis home today (8/10) at about 2 PM central time. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Foul play is not suspected. Although no cause of death has been immediately released, Hayes had a number of medical problems including having suffered a stroke in 2006.
Hayes won a Grammy and Oscar for the theme to the 1971 blockbuster film Shaft, one of the few "blaxploitation" films to achieve a mainstream audience. In fact, one could argue that the success of Shaft contributed to the glut of blaxpoitation films in the early 70s. Hayes suffered a career lull and even had to file for bankruptcy. However, his career revived and introduced him to a new audience when he voiced Chef on South Park.
Hayes' best-known album is Hot Buttered Soul, an album of unconventional (for 60s mainstream radio) songs. Most notable was his 18-minute rendition (complete with an eight-minute introductory rap) of Jimmy Webb's "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," the big country and pop hit by Glen Campbell.
What is so eerie about the timing of Hayes' death is that it comes one day after comic/actor Bernie Mac's death from complications of pneumonia. Hayes had recently completed filming a small part in the forthcoming film Soul Man, playing himself. Bernie Mac was the star of that movie.
Isaac Hayes was 65; he would have turned 66 on August 20.
Isaac Hayes was found unresponsive by his treadmill in his Memphis home today (8/10) at about 2 PM central time. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Foul play is not suspected. Although no cause of death has been immediately released, Hayes had a number of medical problems including having suffered a stroke in 2006.
Hayes won a Grammy and Oscar for the theme to the 1971 blockbuster film Shaft, one of the few "blaxploitation" films to achieve a mainstream audience. In fact, one could argue that the success of Shaft contributed to the glut of blaxpoitation films in the early 70s. Hayes suffered a career lull and even had to file for bankruptcy. However, his career revived and introduced him to a new audience when he voiced Chef on South Park.
Hayes' best-known album is Hot Buttered Soul, an album of unconventional (for 60s mainstream radio) songs. Most notable was his 18-minute rendition (complete with an eight-minute introductory rap) of Jimmy Webb's "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," the big country and pop hit by Glen Campbell.
What is so eerie about the timing of Hayes' death is that it comes one day after comic/actor Bernie Mac's death from complications of pneumonia. Hayes had recently completed filming a small part in the forthcoming film Soul Man, playing himself. Bernie Mac was the star of that movie.
Isaac Hayes was 65; he would have turned 66 on August 20.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
They've Done It Again
Category: TV Review
For the most part, Animal Planet is tough for animal lovers to watch. Sure, there are those cute meerkats on Meerkat Manor -- but then they show Flower dying after being bit by a puff adder. Certainly any animal lover is thankful for emergency vets, but watching them work can be as heartbreaking as uplifting. However, Animal Planet does occasionally throw us a show that is nothing but pure delight. The annual Puppy Bowl is such a show, where the screen is filled for three hours with puppies doing what puppies do best.
Capitalizing on the success of that annual event, Animal Planet presented Puppy Games 2008 to coincide with the opening of the Olympics. In contrast to the Puppy Bowl, where the little fellas and gals just romp, there was a "competition" theme to this three-hour joy ride: puppies in water ("swimming event"), a boxing ring, gymnastic equipment, and a soccer field. Medals were awarded. It was as cute as it sounds.
The Puppy Games will repeat on August 23 in three-hour loops from 8 PM till 2 AM eastern time. Prepare to "awww" a good deal.
Animal Planet's Puppy Games site
For the most part, Animal Planet is tough for animal lovers to watch. Sure, there are those cute meerkats on Meerkat Manor -- but then they show Flower dying after being bit by a puff adder. Certainly any animal lover is thankful for emergency vets, but watching them work can be as heartbreaking as uplifting. However, Animal Planet does occasionally throw us a show that is nothing but pure delight. The annual Puppy Bowl is such a show, where the screen is filled for three hours with puppies doing what puppies do best.
Capitalizing on the success of that annual event, Animal Planet presented Puppy Games 2008 to coincide with the opening of the Olympics. In contrast to the Puppy Bowl, where the little fellas and gals just romp, there was a "competition" theme to this three-hour joy ride: puppies in water ("swimming event"), a boxing ring, gymnastic equipment, and a soccer field. Medals were awarded. It was as cute as it sounds.
The Puppy Games will repeat on August 23 in three-hour loops from 8 PM till 2 AM eastern time. Prepare to "awww" a good deal.
Animal Planet's Puppy Games site
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Shocking!
Category: News/Sports/Rant
The Houston Astros played the Chicago Cubs Monday night at Wrigley Field. The Astros won, 2-0. In actuality, however, every player who walked off the field alive was a winner.
Chicago was hit by severe weather, including a tornado warning. The game was delayed after the 6th inning for nearly three hours because of the severe thunderstorm. When the game resumed, the teams were able to play about another inning and a half before lightning again streaked through the sky. When a bolt hit near Wrigley, Astros center fielder Lance Berkman ran off the field before the umpires could make any decision about the game.
Good for Berkman. He should be given a medal. In contrast, Wally Bell, the crew chief of the umpires working the game, should be strung up a flag pole during a thunderstorm.
You simply do not put people out in an open field with spikes on their shoes and a lightning pole with an American flag hanging from it at the top of the stadium. I would love nothing better than to see the Cubs win the World Series this year (the 100th anniversary of the last time they won the World Series, as the ESPN anchors like to remind us at least 47 times a day). However, in order for them to accomplish that feat, they need to be alive. Bell's inaction put the Cubs and the Astros players at serious risk. I sincerely hope the Commissioner's office will take prompt disciplinary action against Wally Bell for allowing the players to be on the field in such dangerous conditions for as long as they were. Lightning is the #1 weather killer in the United States. Because of Wally Bell's indecision 18 men could have suffered that fate -- as an ESPN audience watched. They could have resumed the game today before the regularly scheduled game or played a day/night double-header.
Former Cubs pitcher Geremi Gonzalez, a friend of Astros pitcher Humberto Quintero (the pitcher on the mound when the game was called) was killed by a lightning bolt earlier this year, although not on the playing field.
The Houston Astros played the Chicago Cubs Monday night at Wrigley Field. The Astros won, 2-0. In actuality, however, every player who walked off the field alive was a winner.
Chicago was hit by severe weather, including a tornado warning. The game was delayed after the 6th inning for nearly three hours because of the severe thunderstorm. When the game resumed, the teams were able to play about another inning and a half before lightning again streaked through the sky. When a bolt hit near Wrigley, Astros center fielder Lance Berkman ran off the field before the umpires could make any decision about the game.
Good for Berkman. He should be given a medal. In contrast, Wally Bell, the crew chief of the umpires working the game, should be strung up a flag pole during a thunderstorm.
You simply do not put people out in an open field with spikes on their shoes and a lightning pole with an American flag hanging from it at the top of the stadium. I would love nothing better than to see the Cubs win the World Series this year (the 100th anniversary of the last time they won the World Series, as the ESPN anchors like to remind us at least 47 times a day). However, in order for them to accomplish that feat, they need to be alive. Bell's inaction put the Cubs and the Astros players at serious risk. I sincerely hope the Commissioner's office will take prompt disciplinary action against Wally Bell for allowing the players to be on the field in such dangerous conditions for as long as they were. Lightning is the #1 weather killer in the United States. Because of Wally Bell's indecision 18 men could have suffered that fate -- as an ESPN audience watched. They could have resumed the game today before the regularly scheduled game or played a day/night double-header.
Former Cubs pitcher Geremi Gonzalez, a friend of Astros pitcher Humberto Quintero (the pitcher on the mound when the game was called) was killed by a lightning bolt earlier this year, although not on the playing field.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Twenty Years of Talk Radio Revolution
Category: News
In 1988, AM radio was a dying entity. With a few exceptions (most notably, Nashville's WSM-AM, home of the Grand Ole Opry), AM radio was relegated to the formats that FM did not want: religious programming, foreign languages, old country, R&B, and pop crooners.
Then on August 1, 1988, the Rush Limbaugh program began, airing on AM radio. The show took off, and in the process revived AM radio as a vibrant, legitimate outlet.
Love him or hate him (it's very difficult, if not impossible, to find anyone in the middle when it comes to the conservative host), Rush Limbaugh's popularity elevated talk radio from a mostly local outlet to a nation, vital necessity. His show is now carried by over 600 radio stations with an audience of 20 million. Before Limbaugh came along, six radio stations and an audience of 20 thousand for a talk show was unthinkable. Now the format is so popular that it's practically all you can find on AM radio.
Happy anniversary to the Rush Limbaugh program!
In 1988, AM radio was a dying entity. With a few exceptions (most notably, Nashville's WSM-AM, home of the Grand Ole Opry), AM radio was relegated to the formats that FM did not want: religious programming, foreign languages, old country, R&B, and pop crooners.
Then on August 1, 1988, the Rush Limbaugh program began, airing on AM radio. The show took off, and in the process revived AM radio as a vibrant, legitimate outlet.
Love him or hate him (it's very difficult, if not impossible, to find anyone in the middle when it comes to the conservative host), Rush Limbaugh's popularity elevated talk radio from a mostly local outlet to a nation, vital necessity. His show is now carried by over 600 radio stations with an audience of 20 million. Before Limbaugh came along, six radio stations and an audience of 20 thousand for a talk show was unthinkable. Now the format is so popular that it's practically all you can find on AM radio.
Happy anniversary to the Rush Limbaugh program!
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