You know what , Andy , I forgot about John Peel being there when Oswald (That's who you meant , right? Ruby died in prison.) was shot , but Ruby.....if you see the movie , "Mars Needs Women" or the harder to obtain "Naughty Dallas" , you can see the interior of the post - Jack Ruby Carousel Club in Dallas . There was a Punk Rock club in the 80'S , that I used to go to , and sometimes perform at , just two doors down from where Oswald got it , called The Twiite Room. But , I would never ignore Ireland , Wales and Scotland. For all I know , I could have distant relatives scattered about there , somewhere. Canada is so far to the North (Though it really is'nt.) it does'nt seem like we have THAT much of a relationship with them.    I watched both DVDs of "Nardwuar - DootDoola Doot Doot" this weekend , so I did my bit to rectify the situation.            
 
Andy Climax said:

Yep! He was in the room when Ruby got shot! Defo in the right place at the right time, from a historical and journalistic angle. Sorry to be pedantic here john, but..... We have England (and yer all welcome to it), but we also have Scotland, Wales and Ireland (North and South) We In Scotland respected the great man as well. We're the noisy neighbours to England in the North. A bit like Canada and we also say 'aboot!' haha. Forgot to mention Steve Lamaq as well. He's keepin the spirit of punk and the spirit of the radio real as well. If ya all get a chance to try 6music on line, take it. Don Letts does a great show, and we all know what a legend he is for bringing punk and black roots music together. You're damn right Tresicore. We are all endebted to John Peel. Another man who took the elevator to heaven.

Anyone listen to Resonance FM? I find it too worthy, myself.

Yep! He was in the room when Ruby got shot! Defo in the right place at the right time, from a historical and journalistic angle. Sorry to be pedantic here john, but..... We have England (and yer all welcome to it), but we also have Scotland, Wales and Ireland (North and South) We In Scotland respected the great man as well. We're the noisy neighbours to England in the North. A bit like Canada and we also say 'aboot!' haha. Forgot to mention Steve Lamaq as well. He's keepin the spirit of punk and the spirit of the radio real as well. If ya all get a chance to try 6music on line, take it. Don Letts does a great show, and we all know what a legend he is for bringing punk and black roots music together. You're damn right Tresicore. We are all endebted to John Peel. Another man who took the elevator to heaven.

Peel is very much respected here in the states , as in England , even though we did'nt have access to his radio programs , just all the fine Peel  Sessions albums (And , of course , there's a plethora of that stuff , on line.). What's humorous is that he got his start in Dallas , Texas. He was in the right place at the right time , and I can't say that for too many people about Dallas , having lived there , myself (And I apologize if that sounds like a JFK joke. It is'nt.).

Rest in Peace John Peel, yes!
I´ve heard to damn good music all my life,
but you´ve opened so many doors in it!
I´m so grateful! Thanks!

There is a massive John Peel shaped hole walking this land where John Peel once walked. Gideon Coe, Marc Reilly and Tom Ravenscroft are doin a great job filling in where the great man once stood. But...Really? 3 men to do one mans job. John Peel is sorely sorely missed. Alternative music in the Uk is lost and found without this man. There are very few DJ's out there that are defined as much by what they didn't play as by what they did. This may sound very cryptic but he made it simple. 'Here it is.... You don't like it? Try this then!' John Peel R.I.P

DO YOU REMEMBER DJ JOHN PEEL , HOSS ALLEN , MAD MIKE , AND THE REAL DON STEELE?

IT'S THE DAWN , THE DAWN OF THE CENTURY. ROCK'N'ROLL LIES IN THE PENITENTIARY.

DO YOU REMEMBER  JERRY G. , WOLFMAN JACK , AND THE MAD DADDY ?

ROCK 'N' ROLL FANS ARE ON A DEADLY FAST , BUT , THAT DON'T DON'T MEAN ROCK 'N' ROLL AIN'T GONNA LAST.

DO YOU REMEMBER  ALAN FREED , TAKEN DOWN BY DICK CLARK'S GREED ?

ROCK 'N' ROLL WAS MADE FOR ALL , FOR BLACK AND WHITE

KING ALAN SHOWED US ALL THE WAY , THE WAY THAT'S RIGHT.

I agree about Moon having that rare , organic approach. HOW OFTEN DOES THAT HAPPEN?
 
Gringo Starr said:

Mooney had a huge influence on me. His playing was so organic and from the heart. No jazz school bullshit just hit those things! He changed the way drummers would approach the instrument.

melissa scott said:

Since I'm talking from one 'OO 'ead to another, Mr. G. Starr, would you say Moon had an influence on you as a drummer? The more I read about him, the more I'm intrigued by what he did.

Would love to hear a drummer's perspective.

Ditto for the guitarists on the Hideout re Mr. Townsend's influence, if any...

Mel, who is still grateful to the babysitter who let her stay up late to watch The Who on the Tom Jones Show :D

Gringo Starr said:

Thee 'OO!! Probably third place in the 'Holy Trinity' of the British Invasion by most enthusiasts but they are my favorite! Yes, I am an American, a total U.S. 'Garage-in-the-mid-sixties' freak and a die-hard Who fan!! Arguably the first Punk band in Rock and Roll history as well as having one member blow away the song writing skills of Lennon/Macartney (spelling?) and Jagger/Richards in a single bound (starting with The Who Sells Out). I love the whole sordid story of these boys, the four opposite personalities, the fights onstage and the love that would come later. The music of the Who is by far the most timeless out of the other two bands mentioned above and I expect time will prove that out (in time). Way too much for me to say about these lads so just let me get on the board here; I am one of the Who-Heads!

Mooney had a huge influence on me. His playing was so organic and from the heart. No jazz school bullshit just hit those things! He changed the way drummers would approach the instrument.

melissa scott said:

Since I'm talking from one 'OO 'ead to another, Mr. G. Starr, would you say Moon had an influence on you as a drummer? The more I read about him, the more I'm intrigued by what he did.

Would love to hear a drummer's perspective.

Ditto for the guitarists on the Hideout re Mr. Townsend's influence, if any...

Mel, who is still grateful to the babysitter who let her stay up late to watch The Who on the Tom Jones Show :D

Gringo Starr said:

Thee 'OO!! Probably third place in the 'Holy Trinity' of the British Invasion by most enthusiasts but they are my favorite! Yes, I am an American, a total U.S. 'Garage-in-the-mid-sixties' freak and a die-hard Who fan!! Arguably the first Punk band in Rock and Roll history as well as having one member blow away the song writing skills of Lennon/Macartney (spelling?) and Jagger/Richards in a single bound (starting with The Who Sells Out). I love the whole sordid story of these boys, the four opposite personalities, the fights onstage and the love that would come later. The music of the Who is by far the most timeless out of the other two bands mentioned above and I expect time will prove that out (in time). Way too much for me to say about these lads so just let me get on the board here; I am one of the Who-Heads!

Great music. If only there were any bands like this within 50 miles of the stix I live in , sigh...

Playlist 11/17/12

I know it might seem preposterous , but Ray confirmed that this did happen. You did'nt need a whole lot of credentials to work in concert promotions in America in the mid - 60's. Davies said that it was'nt until much later , of course , after Gacy was captured , that he was asked if he remembered meeting him , and he said , yes. But , of course , he described him as rather unimposing. It's no more improbable than an unknown , but not particularly gifted , singer and songwriter called Charles Manson winning Dennis Wilson , and much of his entourage , over , and even getting The Beach Boys to cover one of his songs.
 
Chris Henniker said:

I knew that Gacy was respected as a businessman and Democratic Party precinct captain, but I'm incredulous that he met Ray Davies. How did that come about? I sometimes cite the photo of Gacy & Rosalyn Carter as an example of a PR disaster in some job applications. 

John Battles said:

Chris ,   I only recently heard about Jimmy Saville's scandal (Word is slow getting to the backwoods of the USA .). But , it's true about John Wayne Gacy and The Kinks.   Ray and Dave confirmed it , though .  Gacy was a respected member of the community in Chicago , even when he WAS killing all those boys. He did all that charity work as "Pogo The Clown" , and got his picture taken with The President's wife......HE MANAGED TO COVER HIS TRACKS FOR A LONG TIME........          Anyway , I don't know about GG being best mates with JWG. He was , most likely , just one of his many "Pen Pals".  GG was in jail in Michigan
for part of the latter years of Gacy's incarceration , here. He did live in Chicago before he went to jail , but , I seriously doubt he could have been granted an audience with Gacy , then. But , sure , he probably wrote to him. I liked your comment at the beginning - "Getting a quote for kitchen or cellar extensions? " - HA HAHHHH!!!   BTW , Morgue Rat?  Does that mean Saville was also a Necrophile ? THAT'S ALL KINDS OF FUCKED UP. I always thought he was just this funny , goofy personality. Looks and mannerisms are so decieving , as Gacy , sadly , went to great lengths to prove.
Chris Henniker said:

Gacy with Ray Davies? I wouldn't buy that, for the simple reason that it's tooo preposterous. What would he be doing in Gacy's house, anyway? Getting a quote for a kitchen or cellar extension?  

I know Gacy was best mates with GG Allin, even doing skull paintings for the punks, but seems to far fetched.

Now what about rock'n'roll rumours that were verified as true? Jimmy Saville being a kiddy diddler & morgue rat being one.

  

John Battles said:
As for Ray Davies , there's no doubt he was stressed out , and had a run of bad luck (3 year Ban from The US , anyone?). But , he's probably the luckiest man alive. When he and his Brother went to John Wayne Gacy's house , at least he had'nt begun his killing spree.

No , the rumor is that he has to drink a fifth , plus a 40 ouncer , or he'll die.

Just kidding , a lot of people could'nt handle the TRUTH about Lemmy , that he's a gentleman , so they cling to rumor and innuendo to perpretuate the "Badass" myth. Sure , his lunch break beats our lives , but , he would'nt still be alive , today , without some semblance of balance.  As for hard drinking , yes , the "Lemmy 45 Proof Complete Bastard " documentary is chock full of testimonials that he has the constitution of two Keith Richards , three Jerry Lee Lewises  and a fleet of horses.  I'm kidding about the title.
 
Kirk Teeters said:

And how 'bout the rumor that Lemmy has to drink a fifth a day, or he'll die. And that should someone be so unfortunate as to get a transfusion from him, it would kill them instantly?

And how 'bout the rumor that Lemmy has to drink a fifth a day, or he'll die. And that should someone be so unfortunate as to get a transfusion from him, it would kill them instantly?

I knew that Gacy was respected as a businessman and Democratic Party precinct captain, but I'm incredulous that he met Ray Davies. How did that come about? I sometimes cite the photo of Gacy & Rosalyn Carter as an example of a PR disaster in some job applications. 

John Battles said:

Chris ,   I only recently heard about Jimmy Saville's scandal (Word is slow getting to the backwoods of the USA .). But , it's true about John Wayne Gacy and The Kinks.   Ray and Dave confirmed it , though .  Gacy was a respected member of the community in Chicago , even when he WAS killing all those boys. He did all that charity work as "Pogo The Clown" , and got his picture taken with The President's wife......HE MANAGED TO COVER HIS TRACKS FOR A LONG TIME........          Anyway , I don't know about GG being best mates with JWG. He was , most likely , just one of his many "Pen Pals".  GG was in jail in Michigan
for part of the latter years of Gacy's incarceration , here. He did live in Chicago before he went to jail , but , I seriously doubt he could have been granted an audience with Gacy , then. But , sure , he probably wrote to him. I liked your comment at the beginning - "Getting a quote for kitchen or cellar extensions? " - HA HAHHHH!!!   BTW , Morgue Rat?  Does that mean Saville was also a Necrophile ? THAT'S ALL KINDS OF FUCKED UP. I always thought he was just this funny , goofy personality. Looks and mannerisms are so decieving , as Gacy , sadly , went to great lengths to prove.
Chris Henniker said:

Gacy with Ray Davies? I wouldn't buy that, for the simple reason that it's tooo preposterous. What would he be doing in Gacy's house, anyway? Getting a quote for a kitchen or cellar extension?  

I know Gacy was best mates with GG Allin, even doing skull paintings for the punks, but seems to far fetched.

Now what about rock'n'roll rumours that were verified as true? Jimmy Saville being a kiddy diddler & morgue rat being one.

  

John Battles said:
As for Ray Davies , there's no doubt he was stressed out , and had a run of bad luck (3 year Ban from The US , anyone?). But , he's probably the luckiest man alive. When he and his Brother went to John Wayne Gacy's house , at least he had'nt begun his killing spree.

Boy , am I the only person who liked that movie ? One of my friends liked it , but could'nt "Hang" with the knob shots , even tho' it had the opposie of meat and two veg , too .                 It's probably true of Brian's GF , but , how many of his ex - Girlfriends , Mothers to his kids or not , do you really hear from?
 
  Mark George Harrison said:

Didn't Brians girlfriend at the time go in to hiding for years as well? I watched 5 minutes of stoned and turned it off, it looked truly awful!

John Battles said:

"I was drowned , I was washed up and left for dead." . That's true , but it was'nt duly noted and authorized , notorized and stamped with a Grade A seal , so , the confession was deemed inadmissable. The movie "Stoned" was based on the book "Who Killed Christopher Robin" , based on the theory that Brian was murdered.
 
Mark George Harrison said:

The rumour started because Jones was a strong swimmer, even if shitfaced, but took a bizarre twist when builder Frank Thorogood(?) gave a death bed confession that he drowned Brian because he was an obnoxious shit!

Kirk Teeters said:

What about the persistent rumor that Brian Jones was "done away with"? No one ever seems to have come up with a particularly convincing explanation for "Who" or "Why"  but every time it's mentioned in the media there's that bit about "rumors abound that he met with foul play."

IN SLADESPEAK : CUM ON , MAN , YER MAKIN THAT NOIZE UP.
 
Mark George Harrison said:

Strangely I'd never heard the Rod myth, here (UK) it was always credited to Marc Almond.

John Battles said:

YOU KNOW WHAT , YOU'RE RIGHT ! THERE IS A BOOK , THERE.....I heard it in Junior High at the same time. We were kids , not particularly progressive in our thinking , we wanted to believe certain things , but , in the back of my mind , I thought another kid at school made it up.  I did'nt hear the story again for YEARS , until my friend's band , Lava Sutra , made reference to it in a song. It WAS the equivalent of what "Going viral "is , today. Peter Bagge DID A HILARIOUS CARTOON , around that time ,  changing said Rock STAR'S NAME TO "Reginald".

trashman said:

Well we all know the Rod Stewart one.

But what I find interesting is how it all evolved.  I remember hearing it back in 4th or 5th grade (1979 or 80); but I heard it from a kid in a lunch room.  And I thought it sort of started there. Then I met kids in other high schools and they knew it.  Then onto college and they knew it.  Then professional life living all over the U.S. and they knew it.  

This rumor was spread before the days of the internet so remarkable the way it carried along an oral tradition (no pun intended) of storytelling.  Of course, we all got to an age we knew it was false but remarkable to the extent this dirty little rumor spread.  

I recently heard Rod Stewart address while doing the media tour for his new book.  It was started by an ex-publicist he fired.  Remarkable.  

The way this story spread via person to person in the late 70s/80s is worth a book in itself.

Chris ,   I only recently heard about Jimmy Saville's scandal (Word is slow getting to the backwoods of the USA .). But , it's true about John Wayne Gacy and The Kinks.   Ray and Dave confirmed it , though .  Gacy was a respected member of the community in Chicago , even when he WAS killing all those boys. He did all that charity work as "Pogo The Clown" , and got his picture taken with The President's wife......HE MANAGED TO COVER HIS TRACKS FOR A LONG TIME........          Anyway , I don't know about GG being best mates with JWG. He was , most likely , just one of his many "Pen Pals".  GG was in jail in Michigan
for part of the latter years of Gacy's incarceration , here. He did live in Chicago before he went to jail , but , I seriously doubt he could have been granted an audience with Gacy , then. But , sure , he probably wrote to him. I liked your comment at the beginning - "Getting a quote for kitchen or cellar extensions? " - HA HAHHHH!!!   BTW , Morgue Rat?  Does that mean Saville was also a Necrophile ? THAT'S ALL KINDS OF FUCKED UP. I always thought he was just this funny , goofy personality. Looks and mannerisms are so decieving , as Gacy , sadly , went to great lengths to prove.
Chris Henniker said:

Gacy with Ray Davies? I wouldn't buy that, for the simple reason that it's tooo preposterous. What would he be doing in Gacy's house, anyway? Getting a quote for a kitchen or cellar extension?  

I know Gacy was best mates with GG Allin, even doing skull paintings for the punks, but seems to far fetched.

Now what about rock'n'roll rumours that were verified as true? Jimmy Saville being a kiddy diddler & morgue rat being one.

  

John Battles said:
As for Ray Davies , there's no doubt he was stressed out , and had a run of bad luck (3 year Ban from The US , anyone?). But , he's probably the luckiest man alive. When he and his Brother went to John Wayne Gacy's house , at least he had'nt begun his killing spree.

Thank you , Kirk. Of course , I speak for everybody . John.
 
Kirk Teeters said:

I love these stories! Keep up the good work!

Ken said:

I love these kinds of stories!  I even started an recurring short in Nix Comics about these kinds of myths:

Joe Tex and James Brown's feud from issue #3 (Art by Matt Wyatt):

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0iakJ5yvUeUNlBzRnVPNXQxUzQ

Ray Davies's mental Break Down from issue #4 (Art by Darren Merinuk)

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0iakJ5yvUeUc0djbkREYzhfM0U

In upcoming issues I'm going to do Screamin' Jay Hawkins going into the studio with the intent of laying down a classic-smooth love ballad and coming out with "I Put A Spell On You" and the mysterious circumstances behind the death of Bobby Fuller.

I love these stories! Keep up the good work!

Ken said:

I love these kinds of stories!  I even started an recurring short in Nix Comics about these kinds of myths:

Joe Tex and James Brown's feud from issue #3 (Art by Matt Wyatt):

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0iakJ5yvUeUNlBzRnVPNXQxUzQ

Ray Davies's mental Break Down from issue #4 (Art by Darren Merinuk)

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0iakJ5yvUeUc0djbkREYzhfM0U

In upcoming issues I'm going to do Screamin' Jay Hawkins going into the studio with the intent of laying down a classic-smooth love ballad and coming out with "I Put A Spell On You" and the mysterious circumstances behind the death of Bobby Fuller.

Gacy with Ray Davies? I wouldn't buy that, for the simple reason that it's tooo preposterous. What would he be doing in Gacy's house, anyway? Getting a quote for a kitchen or cellar extension?  

I know Gacy was best mates with GG Allin, even doing skull paintings for the punks, but seems to far fetched.

Now what about rock'n'roll rumours that were verified as true? Jimmy Saville being a kiddy diddler & morgue rat being one.

John Battles said:
As for Ray Davies , there's no doubt he was stressed out , and had a run of bad luck (3 year Ban from The US , anyone?). But , he's probably the luckiest man alive. When he and his Brother went to John Wayne Gacy's house , at least he had'nt begun his killing spree.

I JUST HEARD THIS , LOOK IT UP ! 

"TIRED OF YOUR PUSHIN'" BY BLUE ASH (Cleveland Hard Rock/Power Pop band , mid - late 70's w/ Frank Secich (Later w/ Stiv Bator (solo) and an incarnation of Dead Boys.)) .

"BABY , I'M TIRED OF YOUR BULLSHIT"

"BABY , I'M TIRED OF YOUR PUSHING.".   

 Never saw the Stones or the Isleys. But, I did witness Keith Richards sit in with Chuck Berry at the Chicago Blues Festival in 1986. And at some point in maybe '03 or '04, I was at a taping of the TV show Soundstage that featured Burt Bacharach and Ronnie Isley (together).

John - exactly WHAT was Doug Sahm wearing on stage that night?
 

(Wild and crazy guy voice)   That is where I got one on you , my friend !!

I THINK I saw The Ramones 7 times , yeah , that's right . And I got started late ! The first time was in 1984. Saw 'em once , in '88 ,  with Iggy Pop(Headlining) and The Dickies , but , otherwise they almost always had terrible , or just mediocre , opening acts . Even ROCKABILLY GODS , Social Distortion , were'nt telling me anything I did'nt already know.

I SAW THE STONES , ONCE , IN '81. They were sloppy as ever (Retraction. I don't think they REALLY started getting sloppy til the mid 70's) , but, it was fun. Everyone was too stoned to rock out.

The Isleys , I saw once , and it was heavy on the T-Neck sides , light on the babymaking music. But , I told you that.....I hope you still get to see them , now that the Big Daddy Dizzy Dee Smalls , OR WHATEVER , HYPE , Is THROUGH.

I first saw Doug Sahm at Antone's NYE 1988 - 89 . He had a pickup band , and was dressed atrociously . No disrespect , but , I was , like , "Come on , Doug !" . Of course , it was a fine show , but , I had to move from Texas to Chicago to see The Sir Douglas Quintet. Ironic , is'nt it? They played Dallas in '84 , but ,I could'nt get a ride , and it would have been about $40 IN A CAB. i WAS AT THE CUBBY BEAR TEXAS TORNADOS GIG . MAN ! THE CUBS MUST HAVE TAKEN A BEATING , THAT NIGHT (cubby bear is across from Wrigley Field.), because people , meaning WHITE people , were picking fights and jumping in each other's shit , all night , pushing and shoving , while all the Mexicans were totally cool. Doug Sahm LOVED him some Cubs , tho' . Mid song , he reels off the 70 - 71 "Dream Team" (Whom I saw twice. Last Cubs games  I ever attended.)- RON SANTO ! LAAAAAAAWD , ERNIE BANKS !! DON KISSINGER , Y'ALL !!! FERGIE JENKINS , YEAH , MY MAN ,  TOO MUCH ,  IN THE GROOVE ! DIG IT !  Doug scarcely said hello when we first met , because I was the only person in the room not talking  baseball. I saw him 6 times , total. His last Chicago gig , also at Cubby Bear , basically a Sir Douglas Quintet show , minus a sorely - needed Mike Buck on Drums , drew about 40 people. For shame.

I did'nt know if I wanted to drop 30 bucks to see what an 80 - something Bill Monroe was bringing to the plate. Maybe that was my big mistake.

As for The Gories , I did see them in 1990 , opening for The Gibson Bros. I only really knew them by name , but , Jeffrey Evans really played them up to me.

I thought they were great.  I was right up in fron , while the rest of the audience stayed in the very back , about the length of a bowling lane. Of course , most of those people did'nt show when The Gories came back , 20 years later , but they probably bragged about how they saw them , back when. The Gories came back , once in '90 or '91 , to open for Alex Chilton. Sorry , never got it with him. I know I'm supposed to bow down in worship.....I saw The Box Tops once , and they killed , but , THAT was a money gig , so Alex showed up sober , and ready to rock.

I should've gone if only to see The Gories. I figured they'd return. Did'nt know it'sd take two decades , but , it was business as usual.