The holiday weekend means time’s short on this one (you’re probably reading this on Tuesday anyway.) But I still found a few gems…
You remember that song, “Bring Me to Life”? That Evanescence song with that gruff voice doing the bridge? You ever wonder about that guy? “That guy” is Paul McCoy, lead singer of a Nickelback-ish band called 12 Stones. And that’s all there is to it, really…
The Dave Matthews Band lost saxophonist Leroi Moore last year, from complications following an ATV accident. Moore wrote several of the band’s songs, and constructed arrangements for many more, making him a minor architect of the DMB sound.
It was Leroi's horn in the opening strains of “Satellite” that first drew me in. So, I’m posting an instrumental track, the hidden track on “Under the Table and Dreaming,” called “Song #34”
I know I already played Pretenders earlier this week, but it’s Chrissie Hynes’ birthday. Here's another song I can't get out of my head, especially playing with the new addition to the household....
And finally, John Phillip Law’s birthday is today. People tend to know him as the blind angel in Barbarella. But I think his best performance is in “Danger:Diabolik,” and the Bots seem to agree:
Tomorrow: We’re motorin’…
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
September 6
First, let’s spotlight Tony Thaxton and Motion City Soundtrack. Tony's the current for the band, who’ve been something of a Warped Tour staple the last few years. All I've found out so far is that he likes Star Wars and Ben Folds. Their 2005 "Commit This to Memory" album was leaked the day after it was mixed, which has made the band gunshy about internet press. Their new album finally has a title("My Dinosaur Life"), but no release date yet.
I’m a sucker for animation, so here’s their video for “It Had to Be You”
Motion City Soundtrack - It Had To Be You
Uploaded by epitaphrecords. - Watch more music videos, in HD!
The coolest birthday I share, according to my babymomma, is Eugene Hutz, mastermind of Gogol Bordello. Everybody needs to experience a bit of Gypsy punk, especially live. Guitars, accordions, harajuku girls – a Gogol Bordello show is like the circus come to town. No wonder Madonna keeps trying to steal his cool.
They’re touring North America next month. If you can’t wait – or can’t make it (like me) – their live CD just came out, too.
I was going to throw "Start Wearing Purple," but milady talked me into posting something even catchier:
Now here’s another somebody that’s definitely under-celebrated. Jane Curtin is one of the original cast-members of Saturday Night Live, and one of the best straight foils in television. She got the most screen time at the Weekend Update anchor desk, providing set up and reaction for the crazy characters and commentaries from the other cast members. The closest to a crazy character of hers I can remember is Mrs. Conehead.
After SNL, she played straight-laced Allie in “Kate and Allie,” and the human professor in “3rd Rock From the Sun,” two award-winning performances on two very successful sitcoms. So why isn’t she a bigger deal? Because she’s so great at playing the normal woman pushed too far.
Thanks for the laughs, Jane.
I’m a sucker for animation, so here’s their video for “It Had to Be You”
Motion City Soundtrack - It Had To Be You
Uploaded by epitaphrecords. - Watch more music videos, in HD!
The coolest birthday I share, according to my babymomma, is Eugene Hutz, mastermind of Gogol Bordello. Everybody needs to experience a bit of Gypsy punk, especially live. Guitars, accordions, harajuku girls – a Gogol Bordello show is like the circus come to town. No wonder Madonna keeps trying to steal his cool.
They’re touring North America next month. If you can’t wait – or can’t make it (like me) – their live CD just came out, too.
I was going to throw "Start Wearing Purple," but milady talked me into posting something even catchier:
Now here’s another somebody that’s definitely under-celebrated. Jane Curtin is one of the original cast-members of Saturday Night Live, and one of the best straight foils in television. She got the most screen time at the Weekend Update anchor desk, providing set up and reaction for the crazy characters and commentaries from the other cast members. The closest to a crazy character of hers I can remember is Mrs. Conehead.
After SNL, she played straight-laced Allie in “Kate and Allie,” and the human professor in “3rd Rock From the Sun,” two award-winning performances on two very successful sitcoms. So why isn’t she a bigger deal? Because she’s so great at playing the normal woman pushed too far.
Thanks for the laughs, Jane.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
September 5
I dug Sondre Lerche back with “Two-way Monologue”; that post-millenial folkie sound that used to fill “The O.C.” soundtracks. Since then, he’s had his jazz album, his indie rock album, his soundtrack album… so where he goes from here is anyone's guess. One hint might come from Steve Carrell. Besides writing the score for "Dan in Real Life", Sondre wrote a song specifically for "Dinner With Schmucks".
I haven’t found any music videos for any songs off of “Heartbeat Radio”, so here’s the funny video for “Two-Way Monologue,” starring Sondre Lerche, Sondre Lerche, and… Sondre Lerche.
For a few years, MTV was the home of subversive comedy, and nothing hit the spot like the funniest sock puppet duo ever. They were the last MTV show that tried heckling music videos, before the channel abandoned music videos altogether. So, of course, I snagged as many of the episodes as I could; to this day, you still can’t find the show on DVD.
These days, Sifl & Olly mastermind Liam Lynch has his podcast, Lynchland, when he’s isn’t directing music videos and movies with long-winded titles (Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny, Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic.)
One of the Sifl & Olly songs, “United States of Whatever,” made the radio charts in 2003, one of the shortest songs ever to do so. But I don’t want you to think he’s a one-joke wonder, so here’s another earworm of his: “The Panda Song”
I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of Freddie Mercury. At least, you’ve heard of that band he was in. And it’s not like he’s done anything new lately (besides being voted the best British mustache of the 20th century... or that his long-lost duets with Michael Jackson ‘mysteriously” showing up on the Internet…) So why am I talking about him? To introduce you to one of his most beautiful songs.
Mercury had a soft spot for opera. Barcelona, released in 1988, showcased Mercury singing alongside celebrated opera soprano Montserrat Caballe. It became a top 10 album, while the title track became the theme for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
“Exercies in Free Love” was a song Mercury co-wrote for the album (Caballe added Spanish lyrics, and the song became “Ensueno”.) The original track is on his farewell music collection, and it’s one of the most haunting pieces I’ve heard.
I’m going to finish with John Stewart, who is not the television satirist most trusted than most TV reporters. This John Stewart played with the Kingston Trio in the 60’s. He also wrote the song “Daydream Believer,” which many presume was either originally by the Monkees or Smash Mouth.
And I’m not bashing the Monkees; they were my gateway to the Beatles. But I’ll admit what the “Pre-Fab Four” were: four talented actors, under the supervision of one of the decade’s most successful producers, with lyrics by songwriters at the top of their game.
While the cynics cheer for endeavors like this to fall on their face, how hard can it be to believe that sometimes, it works?
I’m getting too cerebral about this. I’ll let Shonen Knife state my case: a great song is a great song.
If it's your birthday, happy birthday! If it's not, I'll get there eventually.
I haven’t found any music videos for any songs off of “Heartbeat Radio”, so here’s the funny video for “Two-Way Monologue,” starring Sondre Lerche, Sondre Lerche, and… Sondre Lerche.
For a few years, MTV was the home of subversive comedy, and nothing hit the spot like the funniest sock puppet duo ever. They were the last MTV show that tried heckling music videos, before the channel abandoned music videos altogether. So, of course, I snagged as many of the episodes as I could; to this day, you still can’t find the show on DVD.
These days, Sifl & Olly mastermind Liam Lynch has his podcast, Lynchland, when he’s isn’t directing music videos and movies with long-winded titles (Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny, Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic.)
One of the Sifl & Olly songs, “United States of Whatever,” made the radio charts in 2003, one of the shortest songs ever to do so. But I don’t want you to think he’s a one-joke wonder, so here’s another earworm of his: “The Panda Song”
I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of Freddie Mercury. At least, you’ve heard of that band he was in. And it’s not like he’s done anything new lately (besides being voted the best British mustache of the 20th century... or that his long-lost duets with Michael Jackson ‘mysteriously” showing up on the Internet…) So why am I talking about him? To introduce you to one of his most beautiful songs.
Mercury had a soft spot for opera. Barcelona, released in 1988, showcased Mercury singing alongside celebrated opera soprano Montserrat Caballe. It became a top 10 album, while the title track became the theme for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
“Exercies in Free Love” was a song Mercury co-wrote for the album (Caballe added Spanish lyrics, and the song became “Ensueno”.) The original track is on his farewell music collection, and it’s one of the most haunting pieces I’ve heard.
I’m going to finish with John Stewart, who is not the television satirist most trusted than most TV reporters. This John Stewart played with the Kingston Trio in the 60’s. He also wrote the song “Daydream Believer,” which many presume was either originally by the Monkees or Smash Mouth.
And I’m not bashing the Monkees; they were my gateway to the Beatles. But I’ll admit what the “Pre-Fab Four” were: four talented actors, under the supervision of one of the decade’s most successful producers, with lyrics by songwriters at the top of their game.
While the cynics cheer for endeavors like this to fall on their face, how hard can it be to believe that sometimes, it works?
I’m getting too cerebral about this. I’ll let Shonen Knife state my case: a great song is a great song.
If it's your birthday, happy birthday! If it's not, I'll get there eventually.
Friday, September 4, 2009
September 4
Happy Birthday to South Korean pop star MC Mong. Man, I’ve been waiting to talk about MC Mong. That name’s catchy – Mong. Surely I was being an ugly American, getting over-amused about “MC Mong”. “MC Mong” sounds silly to my American ears; surely he’s not that silly for reals, is he?
Apparently, he can. “Indian Boy” sounds like he’s picking up where Aqua and ToyBoxx left off, so…. He might be South Korean, but this is still so Japan...
Oh, and it’s Beyonce Knowles’ birthday! She was that girl in Destiny’s Child, that girl group that tried to cash in on En Vogue’s success. Yeah, the band broke up a while back, but she’s doing alright, I hear She got married, and stuff, so…
Seriously, I’ve been looking for an excuse to share her appearance on Saturday Night Live with Justin Timberlake and Paul Rudd. Problem is, the rights to the music make it too expensive for NBC to post on Hulu, while YouTube is still blocking any copies of the skit. This is what I could find, and the link could be gone next week, and they might just look like 8-bit Mario Foes dancing around to “Single Ladies”, but it’s still funny… right?
Today’s a good day to send birthday wishes to ex- Soundgarden bassist Kim Thayil. It’s also a good time to send your wishes for a Soundgarden reunion. Sure, they had a Cornell-less reunion show in March… but how hard can it be to get them all together now? Is Chris Cornell really that hard to get along with?
Here’s a Soundgarden song co-written by Thayil; “My Wave”
A raise of the glass to Martin Chambers, founding drummer of the Pretenders. For most, losing two of your three bandmates to drugs would mean the end of the band before it began. But he and Chrissie Hynes soldiered on, and the Pretenders became a seminal rock band.
Today’s a great reason to play one of my favorite rock songs, “Back on the Chain Gang.”
And the week just keeps getting better...
Apparently, he can. “Indian Boy” sounds like he’s picking up where Aqua and ToyBoxx left off, so…. He might be South Korean, but this is still so Japan...
Oh, and it’s Beyonce Knowles’ birthday! She was that girl in Destiny’s Child, that girl group that tried to cash in on En Vogue’s success. Yeah, the band broke up a while back, but she’s doing alright, I hear She got married, and stuff, so…
Seriously, I’ve been looking for an excuse to share her appearance on Saturday Night Live with Justin Timberlake and Paul Rudd. Problem is, the rights to the music make it too expensive for NBC to post on Hulu, while YouTube is still blocking any copies of the skit. This is what I could find, and the link could be gone next week, and they might just look like 8-bit Mario Foes dancing around to “Single Ladies”, but it’s still funny… right?
Today’s a good day to send birthday wishes to ex- Soundgarden bassist Kim Thayil. It’s also a good time to send your wishes for a Soundgarden reunion. Sure, they had a Cornell-less reunion show in March… but how hard can it be to get them all together now? Is Chris Cornell really that hard to get along with?
Here’s a Soundgarden song co-written by Thayil; “My Wave”
A raise of the glass to Martin Chambers, founding drummer of the Pretenders. For most, losing two of your three bandmates to drugs would mean the end of the band before it began. But he and Chrissie Hynes soldiered on, and the Pretenders became a seminal rock band.
Today’s a great reason to play one of my favorite rock songs, “Back on the Chain Gang.”
And the week just keeps getting better...
Thursday, September 3, 2009
September 3
I’m apologizing in advance for today’s column. Some days give me more to work with than others. Today was kind of slim pickings.
If you’re new, welcome; if you’re not, welcome back. And if you have a birthday today, here’s a couple of people you share it with:
To most of the US, Jennifer Paige is a one-hit wonder, via 1998’s “Crush.” Her greatest hits CD came out in 2003; fortunately, she had better success in Europe, so there's more than one song on the disc.
She's officially crossed the pond, and is working on her first non-English release.
For those who prefer slashing guitars and Cookie Monster vocals, turn your ears Norway way. Terje “Valfar” Bakken, vocalist and player of every instrument in the band Windir, took the black metal sound that predominated the local scene and took it in other, majestic directions. He distanced himself from the black metal title (and scene), even though his 1999 album is considered a classic by metal snobs of all stripes. He died of hypothermia in 2004, but his music continues to find new fans.
Tomo Milicevic, guitarist from 30 Seconds to Mars: also Eastern European, also celebrates a birthday today, also hardcore. In his native Bosnia, as a teen, he was standing on the street corner, looked down, and laughed when he saw that someone had shot him in the leg. At the hospital, he asked for the bullet as a souvenir, but was denied…
Here’s the 13-minute epic video for “From Yesterday”:
Rina Koike is a Japanese child actress, currently doing the rounds in Sentai shows. Mostly, she’s known for her portrayal of Sailor Luna in the live-action Sailor Moon TV series. Apparently, Sailor Moon’s cat advisor Luna gets transformed into a nine-year-old schoolgirl with fuzzy blue ears.
For those of you thinking, “WTF was that?” this is only the tip of the iceberg. I love finding stuff like this. There is so much bizarre stuff from the land of the Rising Sun that you, too, will come to understand the meaning of the phrase, “That’s SO Japan!”
This, by the way, is Japan, level 1.
If you know a birthday somebody that I should write about, e-mail me at TheLeroyGrey@gmail.com. Thanks, and happy birthday, whenever you are...
If you’re new, welcome; if you’re not, welcome back. And if you have a birthday today, here’s a couple of people you share it with:
To most of the US, Jennifer Paige is a one-hit wonder, via 1998’s “Crush.” Her greatest hits CD came out in 2003; fortunately, she had better success in Europe, so there's more than one song on the disc.
She's officially crossed the pond, and is working on her first non-English release.
For those who prefer slashing guitars and Cookie Monster vocals, turn your ears Norway way. Terje “Valfar” Bakken, vocalist and player of every instrument in the band Windir, took the black metal sound that predominated the local scene and took it in other, majestic directions. He distanced himself from the black metal title (and scene), even though his 1999 album is considered a classic by metal snobs of all stripes. He died of hypothermia in 2004, but his music continues to find new fans.
Tomo Milicevic, guitarist from 30 Seconds to Mars: also Eastern European, also celebrates a birthday today, also hardcore. In his native Bosnia, as a teen, he was standing on the street corner, looked down, and laughed when he saw that someone had shot him in the leg. At the hospital, he asked for the bullet as a souvenir, but was denied…
Here’s the 13-minute epic video for “From Yesterday”:
Rina Koike is a Japanese child actress, currently doing the rounds in Sentai shows. Mostly, she’s known for her portrayal of Sailor Luna in the live-action Sailor Moon TV series. Apparently, Sailor Moon’s cat advisor Luna gets transformed into a nine-year-old schoolgirl with fuzzy blue ears.
For those of you thinking, “WTF was that?” this is only the tip of the iceberg. I love finding stuff like this. There is so much bizarre stuff from the land of the Rising Sun that you, too, will come to understand the meaning of the phrase, “That’s SO Japan!”
This, by the way, is Japan, level 1.
If you know a birthday somebody that I should write about, e-mail me at TheLeroyGrey@gmail.com. Thanks, and happy birthday, whenever you are...
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
September 2
MC Chris is not a nerdcore rapper. Even though he’s the voice of MC Pee Pants on Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Even though he raps about video games and girls that look like Emily Strange. Even though he’s celebrating his birthday this weekend at Dragon Con in Atlanta. Do not call him a “nerdcore rapper” or his entourage will kick your ass…
Here’s a fanvid of MC Chris’ Adult Swim alias, MC Pee Pants:
Guy LaLiberte’s also celebrating his birthday later this month – in space. Not only is he the founder of Cirque de Soleil, not only is he a world-ranked poker player, not only can he breathe fire – he’d paid the million or thirty to buy a round-trip ticket to the International Space Station.
Or maybe he just traded tickets.
Dan Southworth, ex-Power Ranger, is celebrating his birthday today. He was the “Quantum Ranger” in the “Time Force” season, which is somewhere between being a Red Ranger and a Black Ranger, apparently.
I’m pretty sure that, in time, the Power Rangers casts will be a repository for tomorrow’s action stars. “Kids Inc.” gave us Martika, Raphael Saadiq, and Fergie from the Black-Eyed Peas. “MMC” gave us Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Ryan Gosling. And it’s still early yet, but the Power Rangers have already introduced the world to Amy Jo Johnson and… I don’t know, a bunch of karate teachers, so far.
But in this month’s Teen Vogue, apparently one of those former Power Rangers convinced one of his karate students to try acting, and that kid grew up to be…
Taylor Launter…
JACOB! JACOB! JACOB!
TWILIGHT! TWILIGHT! TWILIGHT!
That oughta pick up the web hits…
And for all the Power Ranger and Twilight fans who’ve wandered in, allow me to introduce you to some real ass-kicking, courtesy of movie director and birthday celebrant Prachya Pinkaew. From the director of Ong-Bak and The Protector, here’s “Chocolate”:
(46 fishes to you, Prachya!)
We end today’s column with a tribute to Billy Preston, the sixth Beatle. There’s been plenty of writing about candidates for “fifth Beatle”, and I’m sure I’ll get into it later this year as their birthdays come up. I’m going to nominate, right here and now, Billy Preston as Beatle number six, because he came along near the end of the road, and helped the band produce some of their greatest songs before they were done.
The year is 1969, and Preston’s in London, playing in Ray Charles’ band. Among those attending is George Harrison, who walked out of the “Let It Be” recording sessions, with half a mind not to return. Having a second thought, he brings Preston to the studio. Being polite and British at their core, the Beatles behaved themselves and started to enjoy making music together again. The Beatles would go on to finish the “Let It Be” album and record one more, “Abbey Road.”
There’s too many contributions of Billy’s that I’m grateful for: “Let it Be” and “The Long and Winding Road”; Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful”; the Rolling Stones’ “Shine a Light” and “Wild Horses”… From Sam Cooke to the Red Hot Chili Peppers… Let me spotlight one of his solo numbers:
Here’s a fanvid of MC Chris’ Adult Swim alias, MC Pee Pants:
Guy LaLiberte’s also celebrating his birthday later this month – in space. Not only is he the founder of Cirque de Soleil, not only is he a world-ranked poker player, not only can he breathe fire – he’d paid the million or thirty to buy a round-trip ticket to the International Space Station.
Or maybe he just traded tickets.
Dan Southworth, ex-Power Ranger, is celebrating his birthday today. He was the “Quantum Ranger” in the “Time Force” season, which is somewhere between being a Red Ranger and a Black Ranger, apparently.
I’m pretty sure that, in time, the Power Rangers casts will be a repository for tomorrow’s action stars. “Kids Inc.” gave us Martika, Raphael Saadiq, and Fergie from the Black-Eyed Peas. “MMC” gave us Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Ryan Gosling. And it’s still early yet, but the Power Rangers have already introduced the world to Amy Jo Johnson and… I don’t know, a bunch of karate teachers, so far.
But in this month’s Teen Vogue, apparently one of those former Power Rangers convinced one of his karate students to try acting, and that kid grew up to be…
Taylor Launter…
JACOB! JACOB! JACOB!
TWILIGHT! TWILIGHT! TWILIGHT!
That oughta pick up the web hits…
And for all the Power Ranger and Twilight fans who’ve wandered in, allow me to introduce you to some real ass-kicking, courtesy of movie director and birthday celebrant Prachya Pinkaew. From the director of Ong-Bak and The Protector, here’s “Chocolate”:
(46 fishes to you, Prachya!)
We end today’s column with a tribute to Billy Preston, the sixth Beatle. There’s been plenty of writing about candidates for “fifth Beatle”, and I’m sure I’ll get into it later this year as their birthdays come up. I’m going to nominate, right here and now, Billy Preston as Beatle number six, because he came along near the end of the road, and helped the band produce some of their greatest songs before they were done.
The year is 1969, and Preston’s in London, playing in Ray Charles’ band. Among those attending is George Harrison, who walked out of the “Let It Be” recording sessions, with half a mind not to return. Having a second thought, he brings Preston to the studio. Being polite and British at their core, the Beatles behaved themselves and started to enjoy making music together again. The Beatles would go on to finish the “Let It Be” album and record one more, “Abbey Road.”
There’s too many contributions of Billy’s that I’m grateful for: “Let it Be” and “The Long and Winding Road”; Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful”; the Rolling Stones’ “Shine a Light” and “Wild Horses”… From Sam Cooke to the Red Hot Chili Peppers… Let me spotlight one of his solo numbers:
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
September 1
Sometimes I think like a journalist; sometimes, I think like a fanboy. Looking over today, I found a quartet of reality TV stars, and started concocting an insightful analysis about the nature of acquiring 21st century fame. But then I saw some of the other birthdays that I just had to talk about instead.
Joe Trohman’s the lead guitarist for Fall Out Boy. And just how out there does Fall Out Boy have to be when the lead guitarist is the Ringo Starr of the band?
I haven’t given their latest album a chance; I can’t listen to them without reflecting on how star-baiting and studio-dependent they’ve become. But I still got a sweet spot for “Under the Cork Tree,” when the CD sounded like the band does live.
As long as I’m talking comic books, I have to mention birthday boy Jhonen Vasquez, the creator of Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and Invader Zim, and the man who made Hot Topic a mint. If you want to raise your children to be world conquerors, read them “Squee” when you tuck them in at night. He’s put down the pens for a bit, and returned to his college major: film. He directed this music video for Mindless Self-Indulgence:
It hints at what he might unleash on the world when he finishes his first feature-length film. And now you know as much about it as I do.
While we’re talking about more-than-average Joes, let’s talk about Joseph Williams. Joe was the lead singer for Toto, during their “I’ll Be Over You” era. He was Matthew Broderick’s singing voice in “The Lion King.” But we’re talking about him for his songwriting, a talent that he may have inherited from his father, 45-time Academy Award nominated composer John Williams.
While John Williams is celebrated for his music, he’s not hired much for his lyrics. Son Joe got the assignment of writing two songs for “Return of the Jedi:” the Ewok celebration song, and “Lapti Nek,” a dance track by the Max Rebo band, the house band of Jabba the Hutt.
Conway Twitty always existed in another universe to me. Growing up in Georgia, I used to see the bumper stickers everywhere for “Twitty City”, some family vacation rite of passage in the South. I thought it was some sort of amusement park (that was Dollywood,) instead of another would-be Graceland constructed by country music’s appeal for a whiter Elvis Presley (He was rock and roll enough to inspire the 60’s Broadway play “Bye Bye Birdie”.)
Twitty City’s now a facility for the Trinity Broadcasting Network, and country music today sounds more like the Eagles. But, since I never miss a chance to play a birthday song, here’s Conway Twitty’s “Happy Birthday Baby.”
Tomorrow: we rock out. I promise...
Joe Trohman’s the lead guitarist for Fall Out Boy. And just how out there does Fall Out Boy have to be when the lead guitarist is the Ringo Starr of the band?
I haven’t given their latest album a chance; I can’t listen to them without reflecting on how star-baiting and studio-dependent they’ve become. But I still got a sweet spot for “Under the Cork Tree,” when the CD sounded like the band does live.
As long as I’m talking comic books, I have to mention birthday boy Jhonen Vasquez, the creator of Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and Invader Zim, and the man who made Hot Topic a mint. If you want to raise your children to be world conquerors, read them “Squee” when you tuck them in at night. He’s put down the pens for a bit, and returned to his college major: film. He directed this music video for Mindless Self-Indulgence:
It hints at what he might unleash on the world when he finishes his first feature-length film. And now you know as much about it as I do.
While we’re talking about more-than-average Joes, let’s talk about Joseph Williams. Joe was the lead singer for Toto, during their “I’ll Be Over You” era. He was Matthew Broderick’s singing voice in “The Lion King.” But we’re talking about him for his songwriting, a talent that he may have inherited from his father, 45-time Academy Award nominated composer John Williams.
While John Williams is celebrated for his music, he’s not hired much for his lyrics. Son Joe got the assignment of writing two songs for “Return of the Jedi:” the Ewok celebration song, and “Lapti Nek,” a dance track by the Max Rebo band, the house band of Jabba the Hutt.
Conway Twitty always existed in another universe to me. Growing up in Georgia, I used to see the bumper stickers everywhere for “Twitty City”, some family vacation rite of passage in the South. I thought it was some sort of amusement park (that was Dollywood,) instead of another would-be Graceland constructed by country music’s appeal for a whiter Elvis Presley (He was rock and roll enough to inspire the 60’s Broadway play “Bye Bye Birdie”.)
Twitty City’s now a facility for the Trinity Broadcasting Network, and country music today sounds more like the Eagles. But, since I never miss a chance to play a birthday song, here’s Conway Twitty’s “Happy Birthday Baby.”
Tomorrow: we rock out. I promise...
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