“I am unlimited, and I am more in control”

George Harrison: 1968 -1975; The Apple Years

WDGY Article #3-GH Sep 2017

By:RLSchwinden aka: MrZerr0

The quiet Beatle, Harrison disliked the public eye, enjoyed creating music, he felt LSD (in 1967) opened his eyes to his love of God, began writing songs about -for God as early as 1968, he was a life-long devotee to Hare Krishna, was married twice Pattie Boyd: (17 Mar 1944;UK) from 1966 -1977, George was Brother-In-Law to Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac) as they both married a Boyd sister, & then to Olivia Arias: 1978 -2001 with 1 son Dhani: (Aug 1978) & was closely associated to Monty Python.  Born on 24 or 25 (depending on his legal Birth Certificate) Feb 1943 Liverpool, UK – Died; 29 Nov 2001 at Paul McCartney’s house in Los Angeles, Ca.

Harrison was member of the most famous band in history from 1962: – 1970. Songs he wrote when he was in The Beatles: “Cry For A Shadow” “Don’t Bother Me” “You Know What You Do” “I Need You” “You Like Me Too Much” “Think For Yourself” “If I Needed Someone”  “Taxman” “Love You To” “I Want To Tell You” “Within You Without You” “Blue Jay Way” “Inner Light” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” “Piggies” “Savoy Truffle” “Long Long Long” “Not Guilty” “Only  A Northern Song” “It’s All Too Much” “Old Brown Shoe” “Something” Here Comes The Sun” “All Things Must Pass”  “For You Blue” “I Me Mine”. He worked with many other artists such as: Cream, James Taylor, Jackie Lomax, Plastic Ono Band, Doris Troy, Badfinger, Nilsson, Splinter & Monty Python, as well as he was a session player on almost 100 recordings by other artists. George released 18 LPs & CDs, & 28 Singles from 1968 -2002 as well as a member of ‘The Traveling Wilburys’ 1988 -1990.

> Party Seacombe: 1968 -69<

While still a member of the Beatles, Harrison was the 1st member to actually release a Solo LP outside the band ‘Wonderwall’ was released in Nov 1968 on Apple Records & hit #49 on the Billboard Charts. This is an instrumental soundtrack to the film of the same name released in Jan ’69, due to Musician’s Union Rules (at the time) the music used in films (or TV) could NOT Be the same music released on an LP, it had to be re- recorded, when Harrison was recording the film’s music he had ‘The Monkees’ Peter Tork play banjo in the film score.

Harrison released a 2nd Solo LP while in the Beatles ‘Electronic Sound’ released in May 1969 on Zapple this reached #191 on the charts. Harrison bought one of the 1st Moogs available in ’68, he was so impressed with the instrument recorded an entire LP with it & was 2nd & last LP released on Zapple Records.

>Awaiting On You All: 1970 -72<

With Lennon announcing his leaving The Beatles in Sep ’70 & McCartney filing papers to do so in Dec’ 70, Harrison releases his 3rd & by far most successful Solo LP ‘All Things Must Pass’ (a 3 LP set) in Nov 1970 & hits #1 on the Billboard Charts, using his usual back-up band, being: Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Klaus Voormann, Gary Wright & Jim Keltner. 2 singles are released: “My Sweet Lord b/w Isn’t It A Pity (ver 1)” which hits #1 on the charts in Dec’ 70, followed by “What Is Life b/w Apple Scruffs” which rises to #10 in Mar ’71.

In Nov ’71 the film “Raga”  (with Ravi Shankar & Harrison) is released, the unusually shy George makes 2 TV appearances to promote the film; 23 Nov ’71 on the ‘Dick Cavett Show’ & followed by the ‘David Frost Show’ on 10 Dec 1971 in the UK.

Being a devout Hindu & concerned with the conditions in Pakistan, he releases the Non-LP single “Bangla Desh b/w Deep Blue” released in Jul ’71 & hitting #23 in Sep ’71, he releases his 1st “live” album (recorded from 2 shows in NYC Madison Square Garden on 1 Aug ’71 & another 3 LP set) ‘Concert For Bangladesh’ is released in Dec 1971 & reaches #2 on the charts. A film for the event was released in May 1972, also appearing with Harrison was Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Ravi Shankar, Leon Russell, Badfinger & Bob Dylan for this charity event the very first of its kind.

> Don’t Let Me Wait Too Long: 1973<
Harrison’s 5th Solo LP ‘Living In The Material World’ is very nearly a straight up Christian Rock album, released in May 1973 his second #1 album on the charts, with the #1 single “Give Me Love b/w Miss O’Dell (3rd non-lp track)” in Jun ’73. In the Spring of ’73, Harrison worked on Ringo Starr’s 3rd Solo LP “Ringo”,  (released in Nov ’73) Harrison wrote “Photograph” (#1 on charts) “Sunshine Life For Me” & “You And Me Babe”, he played on these as well as “I’m The Greatest” (written by Lennon). Harrison had previously worked on 2 other 45 singles by Starr “It Don’t Come Easy b/w Early 1970”  #4 in Apr ’71, Harrison actually wrote “It Don’t Come Easy” but did not take credit, & then “Back Off Boogaloo b/w Blindman” #9 in Mar ’72.

>Hari’s On Tour Express: 1974<

So George is a roll, ‘Dark Horse’ (released with 2 covers, the 2nd a later re-issue) is released in Dec 1974, however missing the #1 spot & landing at #4  on the charts, which is why he probably released 2 singles for this LP, the 1st being “Dark Horse b/w I Don’t Care Anymore (4^th non-lp)” hitting #15 on the charts in Jan ’75 followed by: “Ding Dong b/w Hari’s On Tour Express” which rose to #36 in Feb ’75 accompanied by Harrison’s 1st ever Video Clip for this song (Musician Union Rules dictated filmed appearances such as this, if not recorded “live” had to clearly appear that they are staged, therefore a  “music video”). Harrison appears on the Music-TV Show “Rock On With 45” on 15 Feb 1975 Music TV Show, to promote his ‘Dark Horse’ LP.

As Apple Records dissolved (The Beatles were officially & legally dissolved in Dec ’74) Harrison founded his own record label “Dark Horse Records” (a total of 7 artists were released on this label) in May ’74, it was distributed by A&M Records, while recording this LP, Harrison met his 2nd wife Olivia (18 May 1948 Mexico City) at the A&M Studios in L.A. To  help launch his new record label, Harrison embarked on his 1st & only USA Tour & the 1st Beatle to Tour The US since 1966, he played about 30 dates from 2 Nov to 20 Dec 1974, with: Billy Preston & Ravi Shankar & Tom Scott.

(*My band “PsychoGello” will be  releasing a cover version of the song “Dark Horse” on our upcoming CD “Sounds From Another Planet” due later this year)

Sat 16 Nov 1974
(While Harrison sang these songs in concert, 10 other songs were performed by;

Shankar who played 7, Preston played 3 & Scott 1, songs at these shows)

Hari’s On Tour Express (instrumental)

Something
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Sue Me Sue You Blues
For You Blue

Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)

Sound Stage of Mind (Non-LP Instrumental)
In My Life
Māya Love
Dark Horse
What Is Life
My Sweet Lord

(I have a Vinyl “Bootleg” LP of one of these concerts from Largo, MD.)

>1975 -76: The Answer’s At The End <

Now at the end of his “EMI” contract Harrison releases his final LP for Apple ‘Extra Texture’ released in Sep 1975 & it did chart as high as #8 on the charts again with 2 singles for the album “You b/w World Of Stone” which rose to #20 in Nov ’75, followed by “This Guitar Can’t Keep from Crying b/w Maya Love”. Harrison appeared (along with New York Dolls & David Bowie) in the 1975 film “Night Lunch” about the Glam & Punk music scene.

At the end of the year Harrison started his long -time association with “Monty Python” cast, he appeared on “Rutland Weekend Television” on 26 Dec 75 with Eric Idle performing ”Pirate Song”. In Nov 1976 his ‘Best Of’ released to fill out his EMI contract (with 2 different covers) & rises to #31on the charts, in a then strange move, 1 side is his “Beatles” songs & the other side is his “Solo” songs, then reason being, based on the dismal sales of “Lennon” & “Starr” “Best Of” LPs, EMI did not want that to happen with  Harrison’s ‘Best of’, which failed to produce better sales result. This also launched the 2nd half of George’s solo career … more on that latter.

Stay Tuned on Sundays !

Catch my Music History Radio Show on WDGY 740am, 92.1fm & Streaming 103.7 “Mr. Zero’s PsychoGello Vinyl Radio Show” Episode #5 was on George Harrison

Mr. Zero’s *Est. 2009

1744 Lexington Ave. N.

Roseville, MN. 55113

www.MrZeroS.Com

George Harrison
Apple Year

“Always On The Run”

>Bad Company: 1974 -1982<

PsychoGello Vinyl Radio Show
Article 2-B August 2017

By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0

This time round we’re going to cover one of De Dee’s favorite bands; BAD COMPANY.  A British Super-Group Managed by Peter Grant, Led Zeppelin’s Manager & on the L.Z. ‘Swan Song’ label, it’s rumored  they took their name from the (Oct) 1972 Jeff Bridges film “Bad Company”

The band was born out of 3 other British bands starting with the band ‘FREE’ who released 7 LPs from Mar 1969 to Jan 1973 when the band split, Vocalist Paul Bernard Rodgers (17 Dec 1949; Middlesbrough UK) & Drummer Simon Kirke (Simon Frederick St George Kirke (28 Jul 1949: London UK).

*Trivia Time: Tommy Bolin liked ‘FREE’ so much he frequently covered 2 of their songs “Walk In My Shadow” & “I’m A Mover”. Paul Stanley: KISS (& to a lesser extent Ace Frehley) sited ‘FREE’ Guitarist Paul Kossoff (1950 -1976) as one of his favorites, Frehley & Stanley together, recorded a cover of “Fire & Water” in 2016 & one of the few cover songs Paul Stanley jammed on with any regularity was “All Right Now”.
And with Guitarist Mick Ralphs (Michael Geoffrey Ralphs 31 Mar 1944; Herefordshire UK) from the band ‘Mott the Hoople’ who played on 7 LPs for the band from 1969-1973 , and with Bassist/ Vocalist “Boz” Raymond Burrell (1 Aug 1946:  Lincolnshire UK – 21 Sep 2006) from the band ‘King Crimson’ 1971 -1973 he toured with the band & played on1 LP in ’71.

>Turn On Your Light: 1974 -1975<

The 4 came together in Fall of ’73, to start recording their 1st LP & performed their 1st concert in Apr ’74. The band released 6 albums from 1974 to 1982 & 13 Single 45s with 3 Non-LP songs. beginning with ‘Bad Co.’ in Jun 1974, a #1 album on the Billboard Charts, most of the songs were written by Rodgers & or Ralphs. They released 2 singles ”Can’t Get Enough b/w Little Miss Fortune (Non-LP B-Side)” a #5 hit in Nov ’74, followed by the next 45 single “Movin On b/w Easy On My Soul (Non-LP B-Side)” a #19 hit in Mar ’75. Here is a set list from a show they performed in the Mid-west on the 1st album tour:

26 Aug 1974 Monday in Des Moines, Iowa @ Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium

Deal With The Preacher

Rock Steady
Little Miss Fortune

Ready For Love

Easy on My Soul

Don’t Let Me Down

Bad Company

Palace Of The King

Movin On

Can’t Get Enough

The Stealer
Oddly enough just like Grant’s other clients ‘Led Zeppelin’ there were almost no TV appearances, by this band, however they did make an appearance on: (video footage exists of this show) 

“Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert” (Season 2 Episode 4) Fall 1974 (29min)
Bad Company
Ready For Love
Little Miss Fortune (Non-LP B-Side)
Rock Steady

Can’t Get Enough

The Stealer (FREE)

The band’s 2nd LP ‘Straight Shooter’ is released in Apr 1975 a #3 album on the Billboard Charts with 6 of the songs being written again by Rodgers & or Ralphs, the other 2 were written by Kirke. They  release 2 singles “Good Lovin Gone Bad b/w Whiskey Bottle (Non-LP B-Side)” a #36 hit in May ’75, followed by one of their most well known songs; “Feel Like Makin Love b/w Little Miss Fortune” a #10 hit in Oct ’75. Strangely, one of their most famous songs (in my area of the country anyway), was not even a single, that being “Shooting Star”.

> Color OF The Sky, I’m Told: 1976 – 1977<
The band is on a roll with their first 2 LPS, however they are considerably more popular in the USA than in the UK, where they are from, their 3rd LP ‘Run With The Pack’ is released in Jan 1976 a #5 album on the Billboard Charts once again the main song writers are Rodgers & or Ralphs. They release the 45 Single; “Young Blood b/w Do Right By Your Woman”#20 hit in May ’76. In an unusual move the song they promote on TV is not even a single, in the summer of ’76 I saw a video montage of photos, to the song “Run With The Pack” on the TV Show “In Concert”, well it worked it got me to spend my hard earned allowance on this LP.

I vividly remember their 4th LP ‘Burnin Sky’ coming out in Mar 1977, as I lived in Jackson, MS. that summer of ’77 it seemed like the sky was burning, not doing as well as their other releases this one goes to #15 on the Billboard Charts, this LP has a major shift in song writing as Rodgers wrote most of the material on this album. About this same time Boz Burrell performs backing vocals on Ted Nugent’s album ‘Cat Scratch Fever’ recorded in Mar ’77.

>Painted Horses Riding Up & Down: 1979 -1982<

After a major tour the band takes 2 years off, something most artists dare not do at the time for fear of falling off the listener’s radar. Their 5th LP ‘Desolation Angels’ is released in Mar 1979 & ends up being their 2nd #3 album on the Billboard Charts this album is back to most of the songs being written by Rodgers & or Ralphs, however Burrell beings to contribute more to the song writing team with 2 contributions. The 45 Single “Rock N Roll Fantasy b/w Crazy Circles” hits #13 on the charts in Jun ’79.

The 6th & final LP ‘Rough Diamonds’ is released in Aug 1982 with the single “Electricland b/w Untie The Knot” & ends up being their lowest charting album at #26, for this final album from the original line-up, all 4 members contribute equally, I read an article at the time that stated “A fight erupted between Kirke & Rodgers, & Rogers being a black belt, came out on top” leading up the Rodgers leaving the band & releasing a Solo LP “Cut Loose” in Oct ’83.

Their Manager Peter Grant despised “Live” & “Compilation” releases therefore no “Live” albums were released during their hey-day in the 70s. However noteworthy are 4 CDs that were released a “Hits” collection ’10 From 6′ in Dec1985, & ‘Anthology’ in Mar 1999 with 6 B-Sides & Out-Takes & 4 New Tracks, eventually 2 “Live” CDs were released from the 70s heyday; ‘Albuquerque ’76’ (recorded 10 Mar 1976 in New  Mexico) 2 CDs @ 16 Tracks released in 2006, & later ‘In Concert 1977 & 1979’ (recorded on 23 May 1977 in Houston @ the Summit & 9 Mar 1979 in London @ Wembley& 29 Jun 1979 in Largo,DC @ Capitol Centre) 2 CDs @ 30 Tracks, released in 2016. I never got to see the “Original Bad Company, I did see “Version 2” with Brian Howe in 1989 & I saw Simon Kirke in Ringo’s “All-Starr Band” in Jul 2000 where he sang “All Right Now” & “Shooting Star”.  I also saw & met Rodgers Solo in 2002, & when I asked him to sign my “Run With The Pack” LP he said “For me, no thanks, I already have one” & handed it back.

*Be sure to tune into my Vinyl Radio on WDGY  740AM & 92.1FM & Streaming 103.7 Sunday mornings at 10am for my upcoming “Bad Company Show” featuring 1 song from each of Bad Company’s Vinyl Releases.

Don’t you know you are a shooting star …. MrZerr0

Mr. Zero’s *Est. 2009

1744 lexington Ave. N.

Roseville, MN. 55113

Music, Toys, Video Games & Movies

www.MrZeroS.Com

Bad Company: 1974

Mr. Zero’s 55113 “PsychoGello Radio Show”: In Year #5
BUZZ Newspaper Article May-Jun 2017 (#74-pG5)

By: RLSchwinden aka: MrZerr0

In Oct 2012 DJ Liberty Finch asked me (MrZerr0) to guest on her Radio Show “The Pop Shop” KFAI 90.3 FM & 106.7 AM with herself & DJ Izzy. Well last month (April 2017) for Mr. Zero’s 55113 (Records & Games Shop) 8th Anniversary, I hosted my 5th Years Appearance. So here’s what I played & why ….

1. “Nerd Is The Word” By: PsychoGello

This is my own 60s Cover Band with a few originals tossed in for fun. Every year for the past 8 years Mr. Zero’s 55113 gets a local band to record a new theme song for the Shop. This year My Band recorded one!

Written By: RLSchwinden recorded in Oct 2016 & released in Jan 2017 Rikka Serro: Lead Vocals & Double Rhythm Guitars, Terrance S. Bass & Lead Guitars & Backing Vocals, & Paul on Drums.

2. “Mr. Zero” Keith Relf- Yardbirds
   A Solo 45 Single b/w “Knowing” released in May1966 on Columbia Records, while Relf was still in the band. This song charted in UK at #50. Relf (1943-1976),the Lead Vocalist, died by electrocution in his basement playing electric guitar which was not properly grounded. This was the 1st theme song we used back in 2009. Local St. Paul band ‘Jesus Chrysler’ recorded the 1st “Original” Theme song in 2010.

3. “Alice Long” Boyce & Hart

A&M 45 Single b/w P.O.Box 9847 (a Monkees Cover) hit #27 in Aug ’68 from ‘It’s All Happening’ many baby girls were named “Alison” because their parents thought that’s what they were hearing vs “Alice Long” My friend Joann heard this song & commented “My favorite girlfriend, how about my ONLY girlfriend”

4. “A Certain Girl” Yardbirds w/ Eric Clapton
   This song was the flipside to “I Wish You Would” from the LP ‘For Your Love’ released in May 1964 on Epic Records. The YARDBIRDS produced 3 famous Guitarists: Eric Clapton: 1963-65 & Jeff Beck: 1965 -66 & Jimmy Page: 1966 -68.
5. “Love To Love” The Monkees

Recorded in Jan ’67, this is the 1969 re-mix version, & 1 of 5 Neil Diamond compositions “I’m A Believer” “Little Bit Me, Little Bit You” “Look Out” & “Black & Blue” from the LP ‘Monkee Business’ 1982 Rhino Records. De Dee & I just saw Dolenz & Tork a couple weeks ago.

6. “I Me Mine” The Beatles

From the CD “Let It Be; Naked” released in Nov 2003, this is the very last song recorded by The Beatles in Jan ’70 without John Lennon as he had privately quit the band nearly a year earlier. This is also the title of Harrison’s Book.

7. “Fire Brigade” The Move
   Written by: Roy Wood from 1967 on Regal Zonophone Records. This band contained: Roy Wood, Bev Bevan & Ace Kefford. Paul Stanley of KISS got his inspiration for his song “Firehouse” from this song. The MOVE eventually evolved into ‘ELO’.

8. “Love Her All I Can” Wicked Lester- KISS

An unreleased recording from Paul & Gene’s 1972 band ‘Wicked Lester’ this song was re-recorded in ’75 for KISS’ 3rd LP ‘Dressed To Kill’ In my KISS Tribute (KISSin Time: St. Cloud) band I introduce this song: “This goes out to my future ex-girlfriend” You can catch us live 10 Jun 2017 Sat @ LEE’s in MPLS. Paul Stanley wrote this one based off of “Open My Eyes” by: The NAZZ.

9. “Rebel Rebel” Bay City Rollers

From 1978 on Arista Records from the LP ‘It’s A Game’ this is where I 1st heard this song on Sat. Morning TV. There was a girl in Jr High I had a crush on (B.A.) who liked this band at the time, so I used to watch their show to see what they about.

10. “You Got Me Floatin” Joan Jett

This was the 1st Joan Jett record I worked when I started in the Record Biz (RecordShop W. DSM, IA.), back in ’86, this was her 1st LP on CBS records, like a lot of Joan’s material this is a cover, by; Jimi Hendrix from 1968.

11. “The Core” Eric Clapton & Marcy Levy

Now this one, I was just turned onto by (my GF) De Dee from Nov 1977 on RSO Records. I love the riff in this song & the duel Lead Vocals. If I heard this one before, I do not remember it.

12. “Jezabel” Herman’s Hermits

From Feb 1967 on the LP ‘There’s A Kind Of Hush’ on MGM Records, this is a cover of the 1951 song by: Frankie Lanie, I picked up this LP because it has a Boyce & Hart song on there “If You’re Thinking” & The Monkees cover “Saturday’s Child”, I met 3 of the original 5 Hermits back in the 90s.

13. “Your Body Not Your Soul” Cuby & the Buzzards

This band is from the Netherlands from the Decca single in 1966. I just love the guitar sound in it.

14. “I Can Only Give You Everything” Van Morrison- THEM

Released in 1966 from the LP ’Them Again’ on Decca. Morrison being from Belfast, Ireland, somehow he is now re-classified as “Americana” along with Neil Young (Canadian) Elvis Costello (Irish), who decides this “non-Sense”? I 1st heard this song by the ‘MC5’

15. “Question Of Temperature” Balloon Farm

From Oct ’67 on Laurie Records this song hit #34 on the charts. Mike Appel was in this band & wrote this song & then went on to be a song writer for The Partridge Family TV Show.  This one I played for my buddy Franco (MGR), who constantly refers to me as “The Balloon Man”

16. “Double Yellow Line” Music Machine

Late last year I bought an LP in a customer’s collection, thinking it was this band … it wasn’t, however it just happened to be the album, De Dee (my GF) was looking for, & so it worked out after all, released in Apr 1967 on Original Sound Records.

17. “Love Hate Revenge” Episode 6

Released in 1967 on Pye Records, just  2 years later the Singer Ian Gillian & the Bass player Roger Glover would join ‘Deep Purple’ making DP Mk2: 3/5 Deep Purple & 2/5 Episode 6.

18. 
    “14 Hour Technicolor Dream” The Syn

Released on Deram Records from 1967 ‘The Syn’ features 2 future members of ‘YES’ Bassist: Chris Squire & Guitarist: Peter Banks who formed ‘YES’ only a year later. At the same time future ‘YES’ Guitarist Steve Howe was in the band  ‘Tomorrow’ & had a hit with “My White Bicycle” I met  Squire & Anderson in Nov ’02, Squire signed his Solo LP for me, awesome.

19. “Mid-Summer’s Night Scene” John’s Children

Since we opened Mr. Zero’s in 2009, every single day we get requests for “T-Rex” well, here is his origins from 1967 on Track Records this song is written by: Marc Bolan (1947-1977) the guitarist is this band.

20. “Stoned Is” Listening

From Folk Label Vanguard in 1968, this band hails from Boston, Walter Powers went on to be the Bass Player in ’Velvet Underground’ from 1970 -72 & their Guitarist formed the ‘Peter Malick Group’ which was Norah Jones, 1st gig.

21. “Life Is Hard Enough Without Goodbyes” Osmond Bros.

From ‘Crazy Horses’ one of my Top 10 favorite Albums of all time, released in 1972 on MGM Records. In Mar 2001, I saw the ‘Osmonds’ & Wayne made a joke about taking requests, after the show I said to Wayne “My request is “Life Is Hard Enough Without Goodbyes” Osmond responded “Oh, you remember that one do you?” That night I got 3 of the 5 to sign my LP & in Jul ’05 I was able to get the other 2 to sign my LP, mission accomplished.

22. “Mandocello” Cheap Trick

I love this band, but not for their hits. This song is from their 1st LP in 1977 on Epic Records the song is named after unusual instrument it was recorded with. Zander’s voice is fantastic in his delivery. I 1st met the band in Omaha in Jul ’94. I found 3 of them to be sarcastically funny, except the drummer Carols, he was just Very Quiet.

23. “Dreamer” Energy- Tommy Bolin

This band had 4 members that went onto bigger and better things beginning with Bolin in Deep Purple, this original recording from the then: un-released LP recorded in 1972 ‘Energy: featuring Tommy Bolin’ the  CD was released on the Tommy Bolin Archives Series in 2000. Unbelievably at this year’s annual “Tommy Bolin Fest” on  Sat 5 Aug 2017 in Sioux City, Iowa, 3 of the 5 members of ‘ENERGY’ : Jeff Cook, Stanley Sheldon (Peter Frampton Band) & Bobby Berge (Buddy Miles Express) will re-unite 1st time since 1996 hopefully they can get the 4th member Tom Stephenson (Barnstorm)  to attend. I know I will be there. This song was re-recorded by: Bolin & Glenn Hughes for Bolin’s 1st Solo  LP ‘Teaser’ released in 1975.

24. “Hello Again” Tommy Bolin

Being from Sioux City & Bolin being from 2740 Clark St. the  Northside of Sioux City: born 1 Aug 1951 (4 Dec 1976: Miami) I can’t, not play a Tommy R. Bolin song from the 1976 Columbia LP ‘Private Eyes’ which is Certified Gold. A beautiful ballad most likely written for his long time girlfriend Karen U.

25. “Moonlight Mile” Rolling Stones

My buddy Perry took me to see the ‘Stones’ in Jun ’15 & I got to see them do this song live from 1971’s ‘Sticky Fingers’ it was a moving experience, to say the least.

26. Alphonese Mouzons’ ‘Morning Sun’
    During the breaks we played this CD from 1981 as incidental music. My friend Alphonse passed was on Christmas Day last year. R.I.P. Alphonse (Nov 1948 -Dec 2016).

So there you have my 5th Annual Radio Show …. you can listen to previous broadcasts on KFAI.Org under “The Pop Shop” link. A Huge Thank You to DJ Izzy ! Until then …. RLS

Mr. Zero’s *Est. 2009

1744 Lexington Ave. N.

Roseville, MN. 55113

www.MrZeroS.Com

Mr. Zero’s
PsychoGello
Radio Show

“Heavy Air”

Led Zeppelin: 1968 – 1980

“BUZZ” Newspaper Article (#73-Lz) April- May 2017

By: RLSchwinden aka: MrZerr0

Back in the day, when I was going to West High (Wolverines) in Sioux City, Iowa, Disco & The Bee Gees, were all the rage in 1978 -79, now me, myself, I hated that stuff, I was digging a band my Aunt Cat turned me onto “LED ZEPPELIN” with songs like “Out On The Tiles” “D’yer Mak’er” “Immigrant Song” “Four Sticks” “No Quarter” “Misty Mountain Hop” “Bring It On Home” & most of my friends could not understand why I was listening to this kind of music, that their older brothers & sisters liked. Now I have been collecting records since 1969 &  started in the music business in 1982 & started in the record business in 1986 & have owned my own recordshop (Mr. Zero’s) for the last 8 years so for my 6th anniversary of writing this particular article I thought I would cover by far the most popular band of all time … LED ZEPPELIN, a close 2nd would be PINK FLOYD & 3rd The BEATLES, now bear in mind, I did not decide this, it is 29 years of Customer requests that decided this factor …

>Think About It: 1968 <

This story starts when Session Guitarist Jimmy Page: (James Patrick Page: 9 Jan 1944; Middlesex, England) & Session Musician; John Paul Jones: (John Richard Baldwin: 3 Jan 1946; Kent England) recorded “Beck’s Bolero” with Jeff Beck & Keith Moon in May ’66. Page then joins ‘The YARDBIRDS’ in Jun ‘66 & records the LP ‘Little Games’ released in July 1967 with the 5 Singles “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago b/w Psycho Daisies” in Oct ’66 ”Little Games b/w Puzzles” in Mar ’67 “Ha Ha Said The Clown b/w Tinker Taylor Solder Sailor” in Jul ’67 “Ten Little Indians b/w Drinking Muddy Water” in Oct ’67 & “Goodnight Sweet Josephine b/w Think About It” in Mar ’68. Page gets the idea to form a “Super Group” with himself, Jeff Beck with Entwistle & Moon; to which Moon recommends the name “Lead Zeppelin” & Entwistle comments to the effect “This would take off like a Lead Balloon”

> New Yardbirds: 1968 <

The “Original” Yardbirds dis-banded in Jul ’68 leaving Page in control of the name “Yardbirds” originally Page wanted Singer Terry Reid (13 Nov 1949 UK), to be the new vocalist of the band, however Reid declined for a solo career, Reid however did recommend the singer from ‘Hobstweedle’ one Robert Plant: (Robert Anthony Plant: 20 Aug 1948; Staffordshire, England), Plant brought along his old drummer from ‘Band Of Joy’ John Bonham: (John Henry “Bonzo” Bonham; 31 May 1948: Worchestershire, England -25 Sep 1980 Berkshire), both joined in Aug ’68 with John-Paul Jones on Bass. Page took his new band out on tour to fill 9 concert dates in Scandinavia in Sep ’68 as the “New Yardbirds”. Then page received a cease and desist order from Guitarist Chris Dreja. The bands manage Peter Grant (Peter James Grant: 5 April 1935; London – 21 Nov 1995) for the past 2 years suggested they now use the name ‘Led Zeppelin’ replacing “Led” for “Lead” as to avoid miss-pronunciation.

> Lead Balloon: 1968 -69 <

The band’s 1st LP “LZ1” (Hindenburg) was released on 12 Jan 1969 with the 45 Single “Good Times Bad Times b/w Communication Breakdown” this LP contains 4 Cover Songs: “Dazed & Confused” “Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You” “I Can’t Quit You Baby” & “You Shook Me”, the band appear on Danish TV BYEN sometime in 1969 for 32min performing 4 songs from “LZ1” @ Gladsaxe Teen Club.

The band’s 2nd LP “LZ2” (group photo) is released on 22 Oct 1969, the very 1st pressings are mixed by; Robert Ludwig & can be identified by a tiny little “RL” in the run-off groove, these pressings are very rare & Very sought after. This LP contains the cover songs: “Lemon Song” “Bring I ton Home” & “Whole Lotta Love”.  The 45 single “Whole Lotta Love b/w Living Loving Maid” is the band’s highest charting song at #4 on the Billboard Charts in Jan ’70. The band make their (for all intensive purposes) last TV appearance on “Beat Club” on 28 Mar 1970 performing “You Shook Me” & “Whole Lotta Love”, later, on 16 Sep 1970, Plant & Bonham are interviewed on the “Nation Wide” TV Show. Manager Grant decided the concert venue is the way for his band to get optimum exposure; the band performs roughly 530 concerts from 4 Oct 1968 to 7 Jul 1980. Led Zeppelin’s 1st Minn. appearance is on:

18 May 1969 Sunday Guthrie Theatre:
Train Kept A-Rollin’
I Can’t Quit You Baby
Dazed & Confused
As Long As I Have You
Killing Floor
White Summer/Black Mountain Side
Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You
You Shook Me
How Many More Times
Communication Breakdown
Moby Dick

> What Can I Do: 1970 <
   The band’s 3rd LP “LZ3” (pinwheel) is released on 5 Oct 1970, with the single “Immigrant Song b/w Hey What Can I Do”, the bands only “Non-LP Song” this song their 3rd highest charting 45 hits #16 on the charts in Jan ’71. This LP finds the band moving in a new “Folk” direction, & is one of my personal favorites. This LP contains the cover songs; “Hats Off To Roy Harper” & “Gallow’s Pole”. Their 2nd Minn. appearance is on;
12 April 1970 Sunday Met Center Bloomington
We’re Gonna Groove
Dazed & Confused
Heartbreaker
Bring It On Home
White Summer/Black Mountain Side
Since I’ve Been Loving You
Thank You
Jones’ Organ Solo)
What Is & What Should Never Be
Moby Dick
How Many More Times
Whole Lotta Love

> Not A Hit Single: 1971 <
   The band’s 4th LP has no number, but instead has “Four Symbols” one for each member of the band, is released on 8 Nov 1971 with the single “Black Dog b/w Misty Mountain Hop” which is the band’s 2nd highest charting single at #15 in Feb ’72 in another 1st for the band a 2nd single off the same LP is released; “Rock & Roll b/w Four Sticks”, ironically, their most famous song “Stairway To Heaven”, is on this LP & was Never a single therefore it was Never a Hit on The Billboard Charts however it does hold the distinction of one of the biggest FM Radio Tracks of all time & being based on the ‘SPIRIT’ song “Taurus” from Jan ’68. This LP contains, by far my favorite “LZ” song “Battle Of Evermore” written from the book “Lord Of The Rings” with the 1st & only outside guest artist, ‘Fairport Convention’ singer Sandy Denny (1947 -1978; UK) singing opposite of Plant, in concert Jones performed Denny’ part.

> Take You To The Movies: 1973 <
   The band’s 5th LP ‘Houses Of The Holy’ is released on 28 Mar 1973, with the single “Over The Hills & Far Away b/w Dancin Days” once again releasing a 2nd single from the same LP,”D’yer Mak’er b/w The Crunge” is released in Dec ’73 & hits #20 on the charts, the band’s 4th highest charting single ever. Strangely the title track is left off of this release & will be saved for the following LP.  The band’s 3rd Minn. Appearance is on:

9 Jul 1973 Monday St. Paul Civic Center:
Rock and Roll
Celebration Day
Black Dog
Over The Hills & Far Away
Misty Mountain Hop
Since I’ve Been Loving You
No Quarter
Song Remains The Same
Rain Song
Dazed and Confused
Stairway To Heaven
Moby Dick
Heartbreaker
Whole Lotta Love
Communication Breakdown

> Swan Song: 1975 <

The band took some time off & opened their own Record Label “Swan Song” (with the image of Robert Plant as a Pegasus for the label) ‘Physical Graffiti’ their 1st double LP, is released on 24 Feb 1975 with 7 out-takes from: 1970 -73 & 8 new tracks with the cover song “Boogie With Stu” the single from this LP is “Trampled Under Foot b/w Black Country Woman “ which hits #38 on the charts in May ’75. From early on Manager Grant struck a deal that the band could have the most extravagant covers & the label would cover the cost, this one is no exception, a die-cut cover with a 6 page inner sleeve.  Since the band has been away for over a year, Plant does an interview on the TV Show “Midnight Special” on 14 Nov 1975. The band’s 4th Minn. appearance was on:

18 Jan 1975 Friday Met Center Bloomington:
Rock and Roll
Sick Again
Over The Hills & Far Away
When the Levee Breaks

Song Remains the Same
Rain Song
Kashmir
No Quarter
Trampled Under Foot
Moby Dick
Stairway To Heaven
Whole Lotta Love
Black Dog

> When We Last Return Again: 1976 <

The band’s 7th LP (& my personal favorite) ‘Presence’ is released on 31 Mar 1976, it is the 1st Led Zeppelin album to contain No Cover songs, there was one out-take “10 Ribs & All-Carrot Pod” the single released from the LP is “Candy Store Rock b/w Royal Orleans” to promote this LP there was an actual “The Object” made & sent out to promoters, Radio Stations & Recordshops, & as far as I know the 1st Promo-Video made for a “LZ” song is aired on the TV Show “Whistle Test” on 17 Jan 1976 , the song “Achilles Last Stand”. An interesting & little know fact while this LP was being recorded, Deep Purple’s ‘Come Taste The Band’ was also being recorded at the same time in the same studio &  Plant & Tommy Bolin (1951-1976) put together a Pub-band performing old stands in the area of W. Germany & Switzerland to pass their time in Europe.

Deciding not to tour in ’76 the band release tier 1st “Live” album ‘Song Remains The Same’  is released on 22 Oct 1976, (But recorded on 27-29 July 1973 in NYC @ Madison Square Garden) now this LP is essential to the fans, for the simple fact of how vastly different the band played their music live vs. their studio recorded versions. This title also saw a Theatrical Film Release (also on VHS & then DVD) containing 5 songs NOT on the LP, however the album contained 1 song Not found in the Film & 2 songs  in the film were shorter versions . The band makes its 5th & then their final appearances in Minn. on;

12 April 1977 Tuesday Met Center Bloomington

13 April 1977 Wednesday  St. Paul Civic Center:
Song Remains the Same
Sick Again
Nobody’s Fault But Mine
In My Time Of Dying
Since I’ve Been Loving You
No Quarter
Ten Years Gone
Battle Of Evermore
Going To California
Black Country Woman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
White Summer/Black Mountain Side
Kashmir
Moby Dick
Page’s Guitar Solo
Achilles Last Stand
Stairway to Heaven
Encore:
Rock and Roll
Black Dog
Trampled Under Foot

> In Seconds Of Release: 1979 <

After a 2 year sabbatical, the band return with a new LP,  ‘In Through The Out Door’ is released on 15 Aug 1979 with their 5th highest charting single “Fool In The Rain b/w Hot Dog “ which reaches #21 in Feb ’80. However due to Bonham’s struggle with alcoholism & Page’s heroin addiction, this final studio LP is primarily a Jones & Plant album (evidence to this can be heard on Plant’s 1st solo effort in Jun ’82). In another cool LP cover event, this particular album has 6 different covers, concealed in a brown paper bag (a view of the perspective of each person pictured in the bar) some covers were only sent to certain areas of the country, ex. New York, Los Angles, Chicago, Atlanta, Denver & Minneapolis all received different amounts of certain covers, which were identified by the letters A-F on the spine of the LP & a colored dot on the outside of the brown paper bag, the inside sleeve was-is a water color art like a children’s book. The last concert for Led Zeppelin was on 7 July 1980 in W. Germany, as John Bonham choked on his own vomit in his sleep on early on Thurs. 25 Sep 1980. The band held a press conference in Dec ’80 to announce they would no longer continue as a band.

The final original release from the band is ‘Coda’ on 19 Nov 1982, however this is essentially a “Contractual Obligation” record to fulfill their record contract to Atlantic & pay on their Tax debts, it contains 3 songs from ’70 & ’78 & 1 each from ’72 & ’76 including 2 cover songs “We’re Gonna Groove” & “I Can’t Quit You Baby”

So there it was … The Legend that Is LED ZEPPELIN.

Celebrating my 6th year of writing this Column for “BUZZ” & 8 years of Mr. Zero’s 55113 on 14 April.

Tune into my Guest DJ Spot on the KFAI 90.3 FM & 106.7AM Radio Show “The Pop-Shop” Thurs 20 April 2017 from 10- Midnight.

See you on the other side …. MrZerr0

Mr. Zero’s

*Est. 2009

1744 Lexington Ave. N.

Roseville-St.Paul,
Mn. 55113

www.MrZeroS.Com

BUZZ Article #73
6th Anniversary

CREAM: 1967

Cream: of the Crop

BUZZ Newspaper Article: (Mar 2017 #72-eC)

By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0

I am sure like everyone else my 1st expose to CREAM was “Sunshine Of Your Love” but the one that really captured my attention was “White Room” so when I lived in Az. I asked my Uncle Brad about CREAM, he looked at me puzzled & said “You mean the 1st super-group ever?”  He then handed me his copy of ‘Disraeli Gears’ & I was hooked, I spent hours listening to that record & staring at the cover … so their tale goes like this.

> Wrapping Paper: 1966<

It starts with one,  “Ginger” Baker (Peter Edward Baker: 19 Aug 1939; Lewisham, S. London) in the early ’60s Baker was the Drummer in the band ‘Blues Incorporated’ where he would 1st meet Bassist Jack Bruce (John Symon Asher Bruce: 14 May 1943 Bishopbriggs, Lanarkshire, Scotland – 25 Oct 2014), the 2 later worked together in the ‘Graham Bond Organization’ even back then the pair were known to quarrel often. Baker had the idea to form a new band & asked Guitarist Eric “Slowhand” Patrick Clapton: CBE (30 Mar 1945; Ripley, Surrey, England) who had been with ‘The Yardbirds’  from Oct 1963 to Mar 1965 & then in ‘John Mayall & Bluesbreakers’ from Apr – June ’65, a well known talent in the UK, to join this new musical project where all members would contribute equally. Clapton accepted under the condition that Jack Bruce be the Bassist in this new project, Baker was less than enthusiastic, about this idea, but for the sake of the new band “The Cream Of The Crop In The UK” Baker put aside his differences. When Bruce agreed to join he brought along the Un-offical member of ‘CREAM’ the Lyricist Pete Brown: (Peter Ronald Brown: 25 Dec 1940; Ashtead, Surrey, England).

The interesting dynamic of the band was though; Clapton was the most well known musician at the time & was using a red 1964 Gibson ES-335, & a 1960 Les Paul Standard in Tobacco Sunburst & a 1964 SG custom painted by: ‘The Fool’ & a 1959 Black Triple Pickup Custom Reverse Firebird, & Bruce who played Gibson EB-3 Fool Fender Bass VI   wrote & sang most of the songs, it was Baker who got all of the attention for his unique drumming skills, he used Ludwig Drums & was the 1st “Rock” drummer to use a “Double Kick Drum”
The 1st release from the band was the Non-LP 45 Single “Wrapping Paper b/w Cat’s Squirrel” in Oct 1966, back in the 60s; it was very common place for a band to release a single well in advance of the album, & then not use one or both songs from the single on the following LP. Their 2nd Non-LP single “I Feel Free b/w N.S.U.” is released in Dec ’66, to promote the new single the band appear on the TV show “Ready, Steady, Go” in Nov ’66. Their 1st LP (long player) ‘Fresh Cream’  is released in Dec 1966, on this LP Bruce sings 8 songs & Clapton only 1, & as with most British Bands releases in the early to mid 60s, the UK pressing & the USA pressing differ by 2 songs. In Europe there were so few places to play many bands appeared on TV to promote their new records, Cream made 2 appearances on “Beat Club” in Feb & May ’67.

> Strange Sunshine Tales: 1967 <

The Summer of “Love” is here & the band’s 2nd album is released ‘Disraeli Gears’ is released in Nov 1967, with Clapton singing 3 songs & Baker singing 1 & Bruce sings 6 songs & a final song by all 3. The singles “Strange Brew b/w Tales Of Brave Ulysses” is released in Jun ’67, to promote this single the band appears on the European TV Show “Hör hin, schau zu!” in Aug ’67, the single “Spoonful: Part 1 & 2”is released

To cement how important Cream was to the mid 60s, a rabid fan spray-painted the now legendary slogan “Clapton is God”  in Autumn of ’67 on a wall in the Islington Underground rail station. The band makes an unprecedented 4 appearances on the TV Series “Bouton Rouge” from 1967- 68, & is featured in the Danish film: “Det var en lørdag aften” in ’68 their 5th single “Sunshine Of Your Love b/w SWLABR” hits #5 on the Billboard Charts in Aug 1968.

> Deserted Cities Of The Heart: 1968 <  

The 1st release for ’68 is yet another Non-LP 45 Single from the film “Savage Seven” the song ”Anyone For Tennis b/w Pressed Rat And  A Warthog” hit #64 on the charts in Jun ’68. The bands 3rd album ‘Wheels Of Fire’ is released in Jul 1968 & is the 1st ever double LP to go Platinum (1 million copies in sales certified by the RIAA) the 1st LP is a studio recording with Baker singing just 1 song with Clapton singing 2 & Bruce singing 6 songs. The 2nd LP is a “Live” recording from 3 different concerts in ’68. There were 2 singles released from this album “White Room b/w Those Were The Days” which rose to #6 on the charts in Nov 1968 & “Crossroads b/w Passing The Time” which hit #28 in Mar 1969, on “Crossroads” Bruce announces “Eric Clapton on vocals” because Clapton sang so few songs compared to Bruce himself. Pertaining to their Live Concerts, the band performed Concerts from; 6 Aug 1966: Torquay to 30 Nov 1968: London.  Cream did in fact make a stop in Minneapolis & here is the Date & the Set-list:

5 May 1968 at the New City Opera House
Tales of Brave Ulysses
Sunshine of Your Love
I’m So Glad
Sitting on Top of the World
Steppin’ Out
Train Time
Toad

I myself was able to see Jack Bruce in concert with the “Ringo All-Starr Band” on Fri 30 Jun 2000 in St. Paul at the State Capitol, Bruce performed “Sunshine Of Your Love” “Theme For An Imaginary Western” “I Feel Free” “White Room”

> Swans In The Park: 1969 <

The band’s 4th & final album ‘Goodbye’ is released in  Feb 1969 with Bruce singing 5 songs  & Clapton singing only 1 song, of the 6 songs, 3 were studio & 3 were “live” from Oct ’68,  the 45 single released was “Badge b/w What A Bringdown” which hit #60 on the charts in May 1969. “Badge” was written with BEATLES: Harrison & Starr (though Starr remains un-credited). It is said “The candle that burns twice as bright, burns twice as fast” with this “Super-Group” that much was certainly true. CREAM only lasted only from Jun 1966 to Nov 1968, due to the constant bickering between Baker & Bruce, Clapton just could not cope & wanted out, unfortunately, since Clapton & Baker became ‘Blind Faith’ in Winter ’69, it seems the blame must fall on Bruce.

There were several other releases after the band dissolved, “The Hits” packages containing “Non-LP Cuts” & the “Live” Packages representing this great “Live Band”

‘Best Of Cream’ Jul ’69

‘Live Cream’ Apr ’70

‘Live Cream II’ Mar ’72

‘Heavy Cream’ Oct ’72

‘Farewell Concert (VHS) (26 Nov 1968 Royal Albert Hall) 1977

‘Fresh Cream Live’ (DVD) 1993

‘BBC Sessions’ (CD) Mar 2003

Legends never die, Gene Simmons of: KISS, said when they were trying to come up with a name for his band he suggested”COFFEE” & their 1st LP could be called “Instant” like his 2nd favorite band; CREAM & they were a big enough influence on Simmons, that one of the few cover songs KISS ever played in concert & the only one Gene ever sang lead on was; “Sunshine Of Your Love” in Oct 1984 on the “Animalize” Tour.

Happy Bday “Slowhand”

Until the next time …. MrZerr0

Blue Cheer: “Louder than God?”

BUZZ  Newspaper Article: Feb 2017 (#71-bC)

By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0
There were a a lot of odd-named bands in the mid-60s, ‘Strawberry Alarm Clock’ with the song “Incense & Peppermints” &  ‘Blues Magoos’ with “We Ain’t Got Nothin Yet” & ‘Atomic Rooster’ with “Devil’s Answer” & ‘Chocolate Watchband’ with “Are You Gonna Be There” & ‘Electric Prunes’ with “Too Much To Dream” & ‘Soft Machine’ with “Love Makes Sweet Music” & ‘Iron Butterfly’ with “In A Gadda Da Vida” & ‘Moby Grape’ with “Omaha” & ‘Bubble Puppy’ with “Hot Smoke & Sassafras” & ‘Fever Tree’ with “San Francisco Girls” & ‘Electric Flag’ with “Flash, Bam, Pow”,  however today we are going to cover the one band that got its start here in the upper-mid-west: ‘BLUE CHEER’ with the song “Summertime Blues”

> Grand Forks East: 1946 <

“Dickie” Peterson (Richard Allan: 12 Sep 1946; Grand Forks, ND – 12 Oct 2009; Erkelenz, Germany) though born in N. Dakota, he grew up in East Grand Forks, MN. (in ’83 the band I was with ‘HIGH FEVER’ played this town many times at a club called “Shenanigans” it was there I got my nickname “Ace” for being so clumsy) initially starting out on Drums & switching to Bass around age 13, he cited Otis Redding as his major musical influence. Dickie graduated from Grand Forks Central High in 1965, then moved to the Haight-Ashbury area of San Francisco, starting out in the band ‘Oxford Circle’ he came together with Leigh Stephens & Eric Albronda on Guitar & Drums respectively to form the “original” ‘BLUE CHEER’ thus began a revolving door of 10 other & different band members up to 1972 when the band split up for a time. For a very brief period of time in ’67 the band had 6 members with Dickie’s bother Jerre on Guitar, Vale Hamanaka on Keyboards & Jere Whiting on Harmonica, & the 2nd drummer (but 2nd longest member of the band) Paul Whaley: (14 Jan 1946; Davis CA) who played with Dickie in ‘Oxford Circle’ who released the 45 Single “Foolish Woman b/w Mind Destruction” in 1966. Neil Peart: RUSH has listed Whaley as one of the Top 3 drummers who influence him.  It was about this time that the band appeared in the Jerry Abrams short film “Be-In” in Summer ’67.

> Out Of Focus: 1967 <

One thing I have learned in writing this article for almost 6 years & over 70 issues is that by-in -large, most bands have or had about 18 months of real success at their zenith, usually with a year or 2 to get to that point & several years on the downhill slide. The band was signed to Phillips Records for 6 LPs & the 1st album & by far most acclaimed, was recorded in late ’67 in N. Hollywood, by: Peterson, Stephens & Whaley, on quote “Large amounts of LSD”, ‘Vincebus Eruptum’ was released in Jan ’68 with the with the 45 Single “Summertime Blues b/w Out Of Focus” a #14 Billboard Hit on 4 May 1968. Ironically “Summertime Blues” was already a hit (#8 on 4 Oct ’58) by Minnesota native “Eddie” Cochran ( Edward Raymond; 3 Oct 1938; Albert Lea, MN.– 17 April 1960; Bath, Somerset, UK) Cochran also had these other hits;  “Somthin Else” “C’mon Everybody” “Teenage Heaven” &  “Twenty Flight Rock” &  releasing 20 Single 45s  from 1954- 1960 & releasing just 2 LPs, which were  ‘Singin To My Baby’ in Nov 1957 & ‘Eddie Cochran Memorial Album’ in Jan 1960, before his untimely death on tour in the UK.

> Rock Me Baby: 1968 <

Blue Cheer were lucky enough & probably different enough to land a few TV appearances, on “American Bandstand” on 10 Feb 1968, followed by the “Steve Allen Show” on 19 Mar ’68 performing a whopping 3 songs live on TV, back then the talk shows were about 1 & 1/2 hours & the bands got to play more than 1 song per appearance. & here’s what Steve Allen had to say about the band on his show. “The name is Blue Cheer, you put that in your underwear, your unmentionables as we say, well these guys are stronger than dirt” Their Band Manager Gut Turk once said about their performances  “They turn the air into cottage-cheese” here is the set list from their 1st Twin Cities concert
Wed. 17 April 1968 in Minneapolis, MN. @ The Armory
Summertime Blues (4min)
Parchment Farm (7min)
Rock Me Baby (5min)
Satisfaction (5min)
Out Of Focus (4min)
Doctor Please (9min)
(35min total)

The average BEATLES Concert was 22min. so playing over a half hour was a long show (my band “KISSin Time”, (find US on ‘fb’) prefers to play 75min as to not overdose the audience)

The band’s 2nd album ‘Outsideinside’ was released in Aug 1968, the cover was designed by their manager “Gut” the single “Just A Little Bit b/w Gypsy Ball” hit #92 on the charts on 20 July ’68, then 2 other 45 singles were released from this album including “Feathers From Your Tree b/w Sun Cycle” “The Hunter b/w Come And Get It” (many current music fans simply do not realize what a driving force the 45 single was until 1988). The band appeared on WHC-17 performing “Feathers From Your Tree” the host’s introduction was “This band is so loud went to New York to record their new album they went to the pier, because the acoustics were better” referring to the fact the band was kicked out of the studio for being too loud so the 2nd half of the album was recorded outside.

> Aces N’ Eights: 1969 <

The band’s 3rd album ‘New! Improved!’ was released in Apr ’69 & rose to #84 on the charts, with the 45 single “West Coast Child Of Sunshine b/w When It All Gets Old” on this LP; Randy Holden (2 Jul 1945 Penn.) replaces Leigh Stephens on guitar as Leigh leaves the band due to its musical direction & then Bruce Stephens & Ralph Burns Kellogg (2 Aug 1945- 19 Jun 2003: from the ‘Emeralds’ on Guitar & Keyboards respectively join the band making it a 4 piece. This LP marks the beginning of the band’s Psychedelic era & the end of the “Power Trio” era. Between the 2 albums released in 1969, the Non-LP 45 Single” All Night Long b/w Fortunes” was released Summer of ’69. (once again confirming the strength of the 45 Single in the 1960s). The band plays St. Paul in Early Nov ’69 with ‘King Crimson’ for the tour of “In The Court Of The Crimson King”.

The band releases its 4th album titled ‘Blue Cheer’ in Dec ’69 with the 45 Singles “Hello L.A. Bye, Bye Birmingham b/w Natural Man” &  “Fool b/w Ain’t That The Way” long time drummer Paul Whaley leaves the band & is replaced with Norman Mayell, while Bruce Stephens ends up singing Lead on 4 of the 10 tracks & Gary Lee Yoder contributes Guitar on 2 of the tracks.

> Ecological Blues: 1970s <

As the 60s turned into 1970 many of the 60s bands began to break up or start off the year with some major changes, Blue Cheer now has its final line-up of: Peterson, Kellogg, Mayell &  Yoder, as Bruce Stephens has left the band, their 5th LP ‘The Original Human Being’ is released in Sep ’70 & only climbs to #188 on the charts, the single from this album is “Pilot b/w Babaji (Twilight Raga)” on this LP Yoder sings all but 3 of the 11 tracks a trend that had been starting on their last LP.

The band’s 6th & final LP for Phillips is ‘Oh! Pleasant Hope’ released in Apr ’71 amazingly or not, there are no singles for this album, & once again Yoder sings 6 of the 9 tracks leaving founder Peterson with only 3 lead vocals, just like the last LP, this final album is a far cry from the ’68 “Summertime Blues” that the band began with, this one is consider to be more of a Yoder based Folk album. All good things must come to an end, it seems the band was too outspoken about the Viet-Nam War & living an excessive lifestyle including drugs, & in a dispute over their record contact, Phillips dropped them & the band broke up in 1972.

Perhaps you are old enough to remember the old TV Commercial “All Temp O’ Cheer” I know I am … Until next moth …RLS

Mr. Zero’s *Est. 2009

www.MrZeroS.Com

1744 Lexington Ave. N.

Roseville, MN. 55113

Blue Cheer in 1969