DIG THIS WITH BILL MESNIK AND RICH BUCKLAND- THE SPLENDID BOHEMIANS

In my opinion, the song was better than the sit-com that spawned it. And, it had staying power, making it to the top of the pop charts.  There is something transcendent being expressed here. As Thomas Wolfe said: “you can’t go home again,” Maybe not, but it’s something we all long for, and in this joyful three minute tune John Sebastian ties a ribbon around that sentiment. You left home with a desire to see the world and make your fortune; you’ve been beaten down and turned around, and find yourself back where you started from. But, son, we never left, and we’ll welcome you with open arms (and, some gentle teasing). It’s so good to have you back.

My first ever concert, at age 13, ten years earlier, was the Lovin’ Spoonful at Princeton New Jersey. The good-time jug band music of John Sebastian has always been a warming presence in my life. His inclusion at Woodstock was no accident; he is one of the all-time greats. What a coup it was for Hollywood to get him to compose a jaunty theme song for a goofy, yet heart warming show about “sweat-hogs” - those ne’er do well high school students that had to be quarantined in their own remedial class. When approach by the producer to consider the assignment, he composed it in one night, and when asked how he did it so fast, he owned up to the fact that he had been a sweat hog himself. I believe that it was that identification which inspired John Sebastian to go beyond “jaunty” to an honest evocation of romantic universality. I’m not crying; you’re crying.

FROM THE "WILD, WILD WEST" DEPARTMENT:

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be on the ballot in Florida, his campaign announced Friday, after he secured a nomination from the obscure “Reform Party”—as his campaign deploys an aggressive and laborious strategy to secure his place on ballots in all 50 states.
The Reform Party, founded by former independent presidential candidate Ross Perot, voted Thursday to officially nominate Kennedy for its ticket in Florida, Kennedy’s campaign said.

In addition to Florida, Kennedy and his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, will also appear on the ballot in Utah, Michigan, California, Delaware, Oklahoma, Texas and Hawaii, his campaign said, adding that it’s collected enough signatures to also appear on the ballots in New Hampshire, Nevada, North Carolina, Idaho, Nebraska, Iowa, New Jersey and Ohio.

While Kennedy hasn’t secured ballot access in enough states to secure the 270 electoral college votes needed to win the presidential election, his presence on the ballot in just one of the six swing states (Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia and Wisconsin) that are expected to decide the 2024 election could be enough to sway the outcome as President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are consistently polling within single digits of each other.

Without the backing of an official political party, Kennedy is required to petition for ballot access in most states, though he’s attempted a workaround in several states by soliciting nominations from lesser-known political parties, including the Natural Law Party of Michigan and the American Independent Party in California.
Kennedy’s campaign has also filed lawsuits challenging ballot access rules in several states, including Utah and Maine, and his campaign has admittedly delayed filing petitions until the last minute to avoid challenges from the Democratic Party, his campaign spokesperson Stefanie Spear told the New York Times.

Not to glorify the use of narcotics, or anything, but this is the most joyous celebration of bored nihilism I’ve ever heard. Joey Ramone said he wrote the song when he was stranded in London during Christmastime, with nothing to do and nowhere to go. And, here, the boys are symbolically kicking down the doors of their hotel room and running amok for our pleasure.

These were my contemporaries: they were playing CBGB’s on the Bowery, while I was plying my singer-songwriter hack across town in the West Village. Geographically close, but two different worlds, and I, theatrically trained emoter that I was, missed the whole punk revolution that was brewing right under my nose. Talk about not seeing the forest for the tree! We might have been close in age, and just like me they had been born and bred across the east river - but they were the real deal: dedicated to the rock and roll lifestyle, while I was just visiting. 

They’re all dead now - but, man, did they rage against the dying of the light. They immolated themselves, these four similarly named Icaruses, in pursuit of rock immortality. And, they achieved it. And, you can feel that undeniable energy in this romp - their call to arms against banality. 

THE BEST GARAGE ROCK ALBUMS OF THE 1960'S:
https://www.albumoftheyear.org/genre/11-garage-rock/1960s/#google_vignette

I love that the new home owner portrayed in this song squares off against a threatening demon, declaring: 

“Ain’t no Ha’nt gonna run me off!” 

This is one ballsy gentleman, Mr. Jumpin’ Gene Simmons. And, fittingly Mr. Chaim Witz of Kiss fame, (another ballsy guy),  took his name in tribute to this man. 

Morris Eugene Simmons (1937-2006) started his career in 1956, at Sun Records, and opened for Elvis Presley, but he hit pay dirt after leaving that label and landing at the fledgling company of Hi, where he made this recording, which peaked at #11 on the Billboard chart. 

It’s simple, repetitive, and silly, but, man, does it cook! And, when he croons “I’ll be right here when the morning comes….” It’s a statement of unshakeable positivity, a guarantee by a man standing his ground against supernatural forces, and you just know that even if they have to end up living together, Gene ain’t gonna be the one leavin’.

This cut off Jeff Beck’s second solo effort was produced by the magisterial George Martin, the Beatle’s north star. The song was gifted to Jeff by Stevie Wonder, who did so, (according to JB), as an apology for having released the barn-burner Superstition first, after promising to let Jeff have it. He needn’t have worried - the plangent tone and human voicing Jeff discovered while creating this track was akin to a 49er striking the motherlode. Fittingly, he dedicated the recording to Roy Buchanan - another guitar master of a similar tonal inclination. 

It’s uncanny - watching Beck’s delicate hands on the Live at Ronnie Scott’s video: the fluidity that this whammy bar wizard achieves creating the illusion of a cooing human voice, pregnant with longing and passion, takes my breath away. As the bare fingers of his right hand caress the spring loaded whammy bar, sensuously modulating the pitch and vibrato, he makes love to his instrument. It’s pure romance.

The recent demise of this musical icon came as a shock because he always seemed like Peter Pan, eternally youthful, with his toned, sleeveless arms and bowl haircut - a shredding bad boy. Not just another British Invasion survivor from decades past, but an ever fresh and present musical force. Well, Thanatos, you may have taken his life, but, Death be not proud - his soul will live forever.

Neil Young, Talking Stick Amphitheater, Phoenix, AZ, 4/27/2024

RAGGED GLORY

Maybe Neil Young isn’t as spry as he used to be, but who is? At 78, to be playing hard core rock with the passion he displays isn’t only a goddam miracle, it’s a revelation.  And, just like young Micah Nelson, who filled in for Nils Lofgren (who’s on tour with his other Sensei, Bruce Springsteen) to jam with Crazy Horse stalwarts Billy Talbot on bass and Ralph Molina on drums - demonstrates a generational melding that gives hope to us aging rockers. So, also when my son suggested that he and I fly to Phoenix to catch Neil’s latest (I won’t say last because who the fuck knows) tour, I gratefully accepted the familial love that was being offered.

And, what a show it was! The opening act of Reverend Billy and the Church of the Stop Shopping Choir was a weird, trippy, and funk-fueled way to begin the evening.  But since combining positive energy against Climate Change with tornado-like rock and roll force is Neil’s thing, it didn’t surprise me that he recruited this legendary street performer to be his emissary. 

The early spring evening temp in Phoenix was perfect, and Neil was in a generous mood to give this fans what they craved - the golden oldies from Everybody Knows This is Nowhere, Zuma, and Rust Never Sleeps - with a short acoustic interlude playing Comes a Time and Heart of Gold (which everybody sang along to). It felt like a fucking campfire. And, looooong kick ass jams, which is what my son was craving. Down by the River and Cortez the Killer were at least 15 minutes each. And, what Neil may have lost in dexterity, he more than makes up for with heart-tugging, sonic crunching lyricism. For my money, he’s one of the best rock guitarists who ever slung an axe. 

There are compensations to getting older; one of which is sharing your heroes with your children, and having them love them along with you. 

https://garagehangover.com/WELCOME TO THE 60'S GARAGE
https://www.the60sofficialsite.com/60s-Garage-Bands.html GET READY FOR A GARAGE HANGOVER

In 1948, New Orleans veteran trumpeter and singer Louis Prima stumbled into a young girl named Keely Smith. She was barely a performer at all, almost half his age, destined for a relatively quiet life; their encounter was pure coincidence. But they went on to invent “The Wildest,” the most exciting and successful lounge act Las Vegas has ever seen, an act that became one of the hottest in the U.S. in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Their records were hugely popular, and they were courted by Frank Sinatra, Ed Sullivan, Robert Mitchum, and other well-known entertainers of the day. Their professional success helped bring about the rise of Las Vegas as a mecca of American entertainment. Their love story ended soon after they helped usher in John F. Kennedy’s presidency–singing “That Old Black Magic” for him at his inauguration–but their influence is still evident.

ALL THINGS BLAKE: THE POETRY FOUDATION https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/william-blake