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!

I didn't know the John Wayne Gacy thing.  Is there more of a story there?

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 think Ringo would've won it by a nose, haha

Kirk Teeters said:

I'm bettin' on Elvis. After all, it was his track. So... home-field advantage?

Johnny Danger / Itchy Scabs said:

Such as it's true The Beatles visited Elvis Presley at one of his California homes in '64 or '65 (?). What's unlikely is that The Beatles and Elvis broke into a jam session , or that they played Monopoly with real money. Does'nt seem like the world will ever know.  

However, it is very likely that the Beatles raced the King on his personal professional grade slot car track (a Blue King 8 laner). Who won?

I'm bettin' on Elvis. After all, it was his track. So... home-field advantage?

Johnny Danger / Itchy Scabs said:

Such as it's true The Beatles visited Elvis Presley at one of his California homes in '64 or '65 (?). What's unlikely is that The Beatles and Elvis broke into a jam session , or that they played Monopoly with real money. Does'nt seem like the world will ever know.  

However, it is very likely that the Beatles raced the King on his personal professional grade slot car track (a Blue King 8 laner). Who won?

Such as it's true The Beatles visited Elvis Presley at one of his California homes in '64 or '65 (?). What's unlikely is that The Beatles and Elvis broke into a jam session , or that they played Monopoly with real money. Does'nt seem like the world will ever know.  

However, it is very likely that the Beatles raced the King on his personal professional grade slot car track (a Blue King 8 laner). Who won?

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."

HA... Good one!!!

Andy Climax said:

Another myth i heard fro a friend recently was, that Nickleback were good? is this true?

Another myth i heard fro a friend recently was, that Nickleback were good? is this true?

Does the Paul Mccartney's dead rumour count? Abbey Road'n'all that guff. Back then i suppose it was news. Now, after the last album, it would be a blessing! (only joking of course)

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.

The James Brown vs. Joe Tex debacle has many twists and turns. Hello ,James Porter !
Tell the good people about it , James......

I knew an older Black gentleman who claimed to have performed with the best , as a Little Richard impersonator (Right after Richard got religion. THERE WAS DEMAND FOR SOMEONE WHO COULD DO HIS ACT.). He certainly knew enough about certain performers , I had no cause to doubt him . He even asked me , "Do you know what happened to my good friend in Texas? Esq....ESQUERITA ?". Of course , I had to tell him. But , he told me Joe Tex was the best performer he'd ever seen , and that James Brown got a lot of his schtick from him.

Screamin' Jay Hawkins had a talent for not telling the same story , the same way , twice , or changing his opinion of another performer at the drop of a hat.
I don't knock it , that's human nature.....to an extent , anyway.
When I met Hawkins , he was talking about how James Brown challenged him to a scream - off. He said he told him , "OK , I WILL SCREAM YOU INTO THE GROUND , DOING ONE OF YOUR SONGS !" ....So , they both sang "Please , Please , Please" together , and , when it was over "James Brown has hackin' and coughin' , and I said , "I told you ! It's time for the pupil to meet the master!"......But , in Spin (Yes , Spin was half worth a damn , many years ago.) , Screamin' Jay said he did a bill with Brown at The Apollo ,and the Famous Flames , who were to back everyone , did'nt want any part of him. So , he told them , "OK , you don't have to rehearse with me. I WILL DO ALL JAMES BROWN SONGS FOR MY SET.". So , that's what he did. James Brown appeared backstage ,flanked by two bodyguards , saying "Man , you do a HELL of a job with MY songs !". Jay said , "N***** , why don't you turn one of those gorillas on me , right now ?!". When he did , Jay produced a 357 Magnum , and said , "I'd like to see any motherfucker break thrugh THIS !!!".

WHO KNOWS WHICH STORY IS CLOSER TO THE TRUTH? IT'S ALL IN THE NAME OF ENTERTAINMENT.

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.

For fans of BECKY LEE AND DRUNKFOOT and the ONE MAN DESTRUCTION SHOW I've got them both on at my WEIRDSVILLE night in Camden London Sunday 2nd Dec, please support these artists by telling your friends and anyone that might be interested, many thanks Mr A

get more info here www.yougotgoodtaste.com

Artists who, for whatever reason, I never got around to seeing:

the Ramones

the Rolling Stones

the Isley Brothers

Doug Sahm

Bill Monroe

SPECIAL MENTION: Gories (a friend of mine who worked at a record store recommended that I see their show at Chicago's late lamented Lounge Ax, back in 1990...while I kept their name in mind and eventually bought the record, I didn't see them live...I had no idea that they wouldn't play Chicago again for another 20 years, although Dan and Mick returned several times in different bands...yes, I did see the reunion shows)

Hi.  I'm DJ Johnson.  I'm a fan of a lot of genres of music, but my two favorites are power pop and garage.  With Surf right in there somewhere, really.  I love a powerful garage-punk vibe, and I really have a thing for all that plus a layer of psych to give it some depth, like The Mortals' "Disintegration" or The Seeds' "I Happen To Love You".  Love the blast-in-the-face punk on Gearhead, and also the punk bands in Sweden like Division of Laura Lee, Sahara Hotnights (for a while), (International) Noise Conspiracy, Soundtrack of Our Lives, The Maggots, their alter-selves The Maharajas, etc.  I ran an online music magazine called Cosmik Debris from 1995 to 2007, and that exposed me to a lot of the great garage and surf bands of that period.  I currently do two shows on Head Case Radio, one called The Debris Field, which is all genres smashed together (sans opera), and Channel Z, which is the kind of show that fits in with this crowd, so check it out, if you can.  (Saturdays, 10-11 AM Pacific.)  Shutting down the magazine kind of broke my connection to the scene.  It's pretty exciting finding this place.  I had no idea it was out there.  

I only have two album, s/t and Hatful of Hollow, but would still count them among my top 80's faves. its been a long time, but i remember their show at the Greek Theater in Berkeley quite well. Morrissey is a brilliantly clever lyricist full of irony and cutting wit. It didn't hurt having the guitar genius of Johnny Marr either.

Come on, come clean. I know there are Smiths fans on this board, as I'm one. Anyone fancy meeting me at the Cemetery Gates and telling me the best thing Morrisey told you? Or, will Big Mouth Strike Again once more and divide the shoplifters of the world?

Laying the cards on the table, my fave Smiths album is "The Queen Is Dead". Why? It's got the funniest songs on there, especially "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others". 

Another track to add fuel to this argument. This is just stunning. The sublime Amorphous Androgynous and the sinister DJ Food. A perfect blend of Psyche and Dance fusion

I saw their second gig at a party my magazine's publisher threw in New Cross, purely by chance.

Andy Climax said:

Never got ma head around the Klaxxons really, but that doesn't mean shit. They've made a real name for themselves over here, especially in Scotland. Glasgow is mad for'em. Raw with that DIY feel. Y'gotta love bands that keep it on the ground and stick to their roots.
 
Chris Henniker said:

I know the bass player from Klaxons, Jamie Reynolds, who worked at the late Essential Records shop in Greenwich Market. Great bass player.

Never got ma head around the Klaxxons really, but that doesn't mean shit. They've made a real name for themselves over here, especially in Scotland. Glasgow is mad for'em. Raw with that DIY feel. Y'gotta love bands that keep it on the ground and stick to their roots.
 
Chris Henniker said:

I know the bass player from Klaxons, Jamie Reynolds, who worked at the late Essential Records shop in Greenwich Market. Great bass player.

Wasn't that done as a joke?

John Battles said:

If you want a good head - scratcher , seek out The Seclusions' album. Probably the only 60's Garage - Disco crossover album , EVER. Joey Ramone , Mickey Leigh (His Brother.) , Holly Beth Vincent (Joey's then - girlfiend.) , Jay Dee Daugherty , Busta Jones, and a plethora of other names  could'nt savethe record from being much more than a curiosity.

Kid Congo's Birds

Gotta stick this in. Ten Benson. Great British rock band if y'wanna check'em out.

The greatest medium there's ever been surely. It's fuckin great when you tune in and hear a track or band you haven't heard or thought about in ages. It's played again and it's like the first time you heard'em all over again. Listenin to Gideon Coe on 6Music (BBC alternativeish channel). He just played some Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet. Haven't listened to'em for years.Now where's ma Sport Fishin' album.

DESTROY ALL MONSTERS :)