“Yes, yes, I know. It’s easier to download music, and probably cheaper. But what’s playing on your favourite download store when you walk into it? Nothing, that’s what. Who are you going to meet in there? Nobody. Where are the notice boards offering flatshares and vacant slots in bands destined for superstardom? Who’s going to tell you to stop listening to that and start listening to this? Go ahead and save yourself a couple of quid. The saving will cost you a career, a set of cool friends, musical taste and, eventually, your soul. Record stores can’t save your life. But they can give you a better one.”

Nick Hornby, author, “High Fidelity”

Personal note: I used to save up all of my measly allowance and hard-earned cash from mowing lawns just to make the trip to Dearborn Music on Michigan Ave. to soak up the atmosphere, talk to the clerks and check out the discs. When I finally got a steady part-time job I graduated to the import albums section, which opened up a whole new world for me. I was able to make the trip to Europe via vinyl that I could never afford in real life. It was so much cooler than buying records at a department store. Here I discovered early electronic music from Germany by Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze. There were bands that I only read about in Melody Maker (a British music zine that amazingly enough was carried at my little local bookstore) like Gong, Camel and Gentle Giant. There was a whole musical world available to me that extended beyond Pink Floyd and I was ready to take that trip. 

 There used to be a gazillion record stores out there, but alas they’re going the way of the dinosaur. I’m heartened to know that Dearborn Music has managed to still hang in there during this age of digital downloading. Mr. Hornby’s right, there’s something special about an afternoon spent in a record store and I cherish all the hours I spent perusing the racks.

A reminder to lovers of good music everywhere (and that means all of you Revolving World regulars) that the best in blues is right here in Monroe County courtesy of the inimitable Mr. Reiser and company.

The list for this year’s performances gives us reason to rejoice:

Feb. 2: A ”Spirit in the Night” concert with gospel vocalist Marie Knight, Rev. Robert Jones and Sister Bernice Jones with a full church band and choir, and Kim Wilson (of the Fabulous Thunderbirds fame) at the La-Z-Boy, Meyer Theatre at MCCC
Feb. 5: Steppin’ In It at Dorsch Branch Library
Feb. 7: Rev. Robert Jones & Matt Watroba at Navarre Branch Library
Feb. 12:  Ricky Nye at Carleton Branch library
Feb. 19: Samuel James at Bedford Branch library
Feb. 23: “The Big Gig” w/Lonnie Brooks, Michael Powers, and Cetan Clawson at the RRCA (loud & electric!)
Feb. 26: “Bluesapalooza!” with Billy Jonas at Ellis Reference & Information Center

 Thank you again Mr. B. for all that you do.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions will return to Cleveland in ‘09 after 10 years of being in New York. It’s only been held in Ohio once in the 12 years of the museum’s existence.

Happy birthday to Art Garfunkel and FM radio.

I know a lot of you younger kids don’t have any idea what I’m talking about.

FM radio was what we listened to waaaaayyy back in the 90’s before iPods and sattelite radio. Ask your history teacher or older brother. It was great.

The Flaming Lips have agreed to head up the Halloween Parade Oct. 27 in their hometown of Oklahoma City. For $25, 1,000 fans can join in on the action wearing a costume provided by the band. They have dubbed this event, “The March of a Thousand Flaming Skeletons.” Oklahoma City firefighters have been put on notice.

Okay Plant, Page & JPJ finally announced that they will play a show together as Led Zeppelin. So far it’s only a one-off tribute concert to Ahmet Ertegun (the recently deceased record executive) that was suggested by his widow. The show will take place in London on November 26 at the 02 Arena. Their opening acts are no slouches either, scheduled to appear are: Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Stars (former Stones bassist), Pete Townshend (Who), Paolo Nutini (who?) and Foreigner. Oh yeah, sitting behind the drumkit will be Jason Bonham, son of the late John Bonham.

Whether a tour will follow is still unknown, but classic rock radio should have a field day with this. Just one more excuse to play Stairway to Heaven…

Rolling Stone celebrates their 40th anniversary this year, with plans to publish three special commemorative issues to mark the occasion. The current issue (July 12-26) is the second in the series, and they do a first rate job of capturing the culture of that tumultuous year. Besides the excellent print job on the cover (my day job is design), what’s inside is enough to make a Deadhead drool. This tribute edition pointedly demonstrates that 1967 was a watershed year in music for more than just the release of Sgt. Pepper.

A sampling of RS musical milestones from 1967:

1) Otis Redding dies in a plane crash in Wisconsin

2) The Who release “The Who Sells Out” and announce plans to produce a rock opera

3) The San Francisco Bay is the epicenter for psychedelic music as Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Big Brother and the Holding Company and the Grateful Dead pack the Fillmore and Avalon ballrooms and introduce free shows in the park.

4) Brian Wilson is persuaded to abandon recording of the legendary “Smile” album and reluctantly churns out “Wild Honey”

5) Roger McGuinn fires David Crosby from the Byrds

6) Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” reaches the Top 10

7) The Doors debut “Light My Fire”

Jimi Hendrix releases two albums; “Are You Experienced” and “Axis: Bold As Love”

9) Syd Barret and Pink Floyd record their first album, with “Piper at the Gates of Dawn”
10) Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are busted for drug possession and serve two days in jail

11) Cream releases “Disraeli Gears” and scores a hit with “Sunshine of Your Love”

12) The Stones produce their second album of the year; “Their Satanic Majesties Request”

13) Woody Guthrie dies, his son Arlo releases “Alice’s Restaurant”

14) Andy Warhol produces and creates the album cover art for the debut of “The Velvet Underground & Nico”

15) The Monterey Pop Festival sets the stage for future festivals with acts like The Mamas and the Papas, Jefferson Airplane, The Who, the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, the Grateful Dead, Simon & Garfunkel and Jimi Hendrix, who finished his set by lighting his Stratocaster on fire.

16) Bob Dylan releases “John Wesley Harding”

17) Not only do The Beatles release “Sgt. Pepper” this year, they find time to produce a second album; “Magical Mystery Tour”

I know this is one big commercial for a publication that doesn’t need any help advertising, but this latest offering is actually worth the cover price in spite of the lack of photos of Christina Aguliera. Excuse me while I kiss the sky.

Neil Tennant turns 53 today. Arlo Guthrie turns 60. Ronnie James Dio turns 58. Jessica Simpson turns 27.

So much for Astrology, eh?

Today marks the 40th anniversary of The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper.” Not much I can add to mark the occasion of this cultural landmark other than to say it certainly made an impact on this wide-eyed boy from Detroit. That chord from “A Day in the Life” still sends shivers down my spine. Memorable stuff.

My fellow blogger will reach a milestone birthday tomorrow. I’ll give you a hint, it rhymes with nifty.

On the day Jim was born Elvis Presley’s “All Shook Up” was the number one song on Billboard. That year saw the beginning of Jerry Lee Lewis and Patsy Cline’s careers (if you can believe Wikipedia. And I do… without question). Patty Smyth was born a month later on June 26th. Paul McCartney and John Lennon met for the first time that year, and Simon and Garfunkel performed under the names Tom and Jerry (Again, Wikipedia).

Happy Birthday, Jim.

(DJ)