MSN Music Blog - Reverb

Pete Townshend's child pornography charges come back to haunt him

By percy thrillington Jan 29, 2010 1:43PM
Some of you may recall how in 2003, Pete Townshend of The Who was arrested on charges of accessing child pornography on the web. The charges were dropped when Townshend pleaded guilty, claiming that he was doing research for a story about his own childhood sex abuse (referenced in past musical works, like Tommy). His name remained in the British sex offender registry for five years, which has prompted some zealous football fans to dispute Townshend's upcoming appearance at the Superbowl by distributing leaflets trumpeting his former status in the Miami area. About time the NFL got uptight about morality. 



 

Avril Lavigne and Jimi Hendrix spring new songs on the world

By Mark C. Brown Jan 28, 2010 1:12PM

Avril Lavigne is making the most of her American Idol appearance this week, springing a new song on Ryan Seacrest's radio show the next day. Jimi Hendrix's people have also previewed the title cut from the new album "Valley of Neptune." One doubts many people will be buying both of these new songs at the same time.

 

Avril Lavigne

 

The Avril song is called "Alice" and you'll likely be hearing a lot of it, as it's tied in to the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp version of "Alice in Wonderland" that's coming out in March.

 

March is when the new Hendrix album comes out as well, and fans will be pleased. As we previously noted, the cover art draws from one of Hendrix's own paintings from high school. What we didn't know at the time is that the photo used on the cover was shot by Linda McCartney.

 

Valleys of Neptune

 

Experience Hendrix's John McDermott gave some insight:


"The photo was taken in 1968 before she married Paul.  Linda was a close friend of Jimi, Mitch, Noel and Eddie Kramer who was trusted with access to recording sessions at the Record Plant for the making of the Electric Ladyland album.  Many of her images were featured on the original LP gatefold--Jimi had even requested that her image of the group sitting in Central Park surrounded by children be the cover for the legendary album.  She shot the group in concert, in hotel rooms, jamming with friends such as Dave Mason, traveled with them to the Miami Pop Festival, etc. Linda was so generous with her images throughout the years and many have been featured in subsequent releases by EH.  We miss her.  She was a heck of lady!"
 
Here's the song. Enjoy it, there's more great stuff where that came from.
 
 

 

 

Trace Adkins as comic hero

By percy thrillington Jan 28, 2010 1:03PM
World, I know what you're thinking: When, oh WHEN, will there be a third installment of Luke McBain, the comic book based on country bohunk Trace Adkins (of "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" fame) and not to be confused or associated with the Simpsons' all-purpose action hero McBain? Well, world, here is your answer: NOW!


The third installment of the Luke McBain comic book series, based on Trace Adkins' likeness, was released Wednesday (Jan. 27) by 12 Gauge Comics. The first issue sold out at the distributor level in November, while the second issue in December outsold the first. Special limited-edition collector issues are also available at Adkins' concerts. The fourth issue is expected to be the final installment of the series developed by comic book writer David Tischman and 12 Gauge Comics publisher Keven Gardner. The series features artwork by Kody Chamberlain and covers by Brian Stelfreeze.
 

The Who reveal Superbowl playlist

By percy thrillington Jan 27, 2010 1:44PM

This should come as a shock to no one, but The Who—or, as they should probably be called, "The Who" (a.k.a. Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, and a pack of session players)—have revealed that when they take the 50-yard-line at Superbowl halftime, they will resist the urge to play a brand new 17-minute rock opera about sensory deprivation issues or cultural warfare, and, in the tradition of such stalwarts as Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, and Prince, stick to the hits.

The set list for the Super Bowl halftime show has traditionally been a heavily guarded secret up until the weekend of the big game. However, with the Who ready to rock Miami, the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints at Super Bowl XLIV, guitarist Pete Townshend has revealed what songs will feature in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band’s medley on February 7th.
“We’re kinda doing a mashup of stuff,” Townshend told Billboard. “A bit of ‘Baba O’Riley,’ a bit of ‘Pinball Wizard,’ a bit of the close of ‘Tommy,’ a bit of ‘Who Are You,’ and a bit of ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again.’ It works — it’s quite a saga.” Noting that the those picks have a “celebratory vibe,” Townshend added he hoped the audience would “go a bit wild if they want to.” Fittingly, since the Super Bowl is airing on CBS, three of those songs — “Who Are You,” “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again” — are used in the title sequences of the three CSIseries.
Last year’s Super Bowl set by Bruce Springsteen was the subject of so much speculation gambling Websites were offering up bets on what the E Street Band would play during halftime, plus insane prop bets like whether Springsteen would pull Courteney Cox out of the audience during “Dancing in the Dark.” However, Rolling Stoneruined what could’ve been an easy bet for our readers after we revealed the set list thanks to the band’s sound checks prior to the game.


 

The painting on the new Hendrix single is by Jimi's own hand

By Mark C. Brown Jan 27, 2010 10:44AM

Sharp-eyed Jimi Hendrix fans saw the cover of his new vinyl release of "Valleys of Neptune" and noticed it bore a resemblance to known Hendrix paintings.


Here's the cover:


Jimi HendrixHere's a known Hendrix painting, called "Seattle Waterfront," something he did in high school.


Jimi Hendrix painting

An inquiry was sent to Experience Hendrix, and Janie Hendrix, keeper of Jimi's estate, confirmed that this is a new, unseen painting from the guitar genius.

 

“Yes this is a watercolor painting Jimi did in high school. The single reflects the painting alone. The CD is his painting and his image as one with color enhancements that reflect the lyrics of 'Valleys of Neptune,'" she said.


Here's what the CD cover will look like when it's released March 9, a combination of Hendrix's painting and his photo.


Jimi Hendrix

 

 

 

Keith Richards climbs on the wagon

By percy thrillington Jan 26, 2010 3:06PM


We all knew it was a possibility, but no one dared dream it would ever happen in our lifetime. Still and all, the day has (allegedly) arrived: Keith Richards is giving up drinking. The Guardian asks the question on everyone's Mick Jagger-logo-style lips: Will rock'n'roll survive?

PS
no word on how this affects Keef's dead-father's-ashes-snorting habit. Stay tuned.

April Fool's Day has come early. As a flock of flying pigs sped across the London skyline last night, the Sun revealed that Keith Richards has given up drinking. Yes, you heard right: the Human Laboratory, grizzled Glimmer Twin and rock'n'roll's own boozy Beelzebub is off the pop.
Is this a sick joke devised by the same mung-bean-munching advocates of health and safety who robbed musicians of the right to smoke in the workplace? Apparently not. Shocked by the public disintegration of his bandmate Ronnie Wood, the 66-year-old has, so we're told, been teetotal for the last four months.
"There's no guarantee he'll stay off it, but he's been doing really well so far," says, er, a source. What a lightweight. After almost 50 years on the alcoholic frontline, throwing the (beer) towel in at this late stage makes about as much sense as the prisoner in George Orwell's A Hanging, who sidesteps a puddle on the way to the gallows. As recently as 2007, the Human Riff scoffed at suggestions he should quit, announcing: "I've had about three doctors who told me, 'If you carry on like this, you will be dead in six months'. I went to their funerals."
Keef, sober? It's just not right. In a pop universe groaning with moral guardians and cosmetically enhanced pop stars, we could always take comfort in the fact that, at some point, a craggy Keef would emerge from his Connecticut lair and regale us with tales of nine-day binges orsnorting his dad's ashes, all the while swigging on his favoured tipple, "Nuclear Waste" – a pint-sized cocktail of Stolly and Sunkist.
Equally, while most men of a certain age dread news of his eventual demise as much as Alzheimer's or an unexplained lump, at least they had the consolation of knowing he'd be found with a bottle of Jim Beam still clutched between his fingers. He's a human shrine to bad behaviour; a living reminder there's more to life than being healthy.
The consequences for those who like their anti-heroes to live out their public image make concerns over Russell Brand's recent conversion from Shakespearian shagging machine to loved-up lap dog seem laughable.
Overnight, those who equate their loathing of the Killers with Brandon Flowers's Mormonic behaviour, or Coldplay for Chris Martin's clean living have lost their trump card. Without Keef at the helm, the entire rock'n'roll lifestyle seems to have lost its lustre.
And, when the time comes, will we still be able to sing, "It's just that demon life has got me in its sway", with such gusto, knowing that backstage, all that awaits Keef is a crate of Gatorade? Either way, it's going to be some hangover.
 

Proposed stadium tour never gets off the ground; Eagles to fly solo

By Mark C. Brown Jan 26, 2010 12:37PM

That proposed Fleetwood Mac/Eagles stadium tour? Sources tell me it's not happening. Trust me on this one. Watch for the Eagles to go out in arenas in the spring.


Eagles go it alone

 

Linda Ronstadt talks about the late Kate McGarrigle.


Lovely Linda Ronstadt


Phoebe Snow continues to be hospitalized after a brain hemorrhage. Her website reports "Phoebe is still stable and making progress in the right direction."

 Phoebe Snow

 


Finally, if you wear a tophat, a Slash t-shirt or look vaguely like a rock 'n' roll pirate, don't expect to get into the Guns 'N Roses show. Axl forbids it. Seriously.

 

Dressing like this is a big no-no.

 

Despite two stellar years Rothbury pulls the plug before it even begins

By Mark C. Brown Jan 25, 2010 11:04AM
Rock festivals have flourished in Europe for decades, but until a few years ago they'd lost their luster in the U.S. Then Bonnaroo and Coachella started putting together stunning events, and the copycats jumped on board.

Bonnaroo festival
Festivals started popping up everywhere from Austin to Denver. The problem, of course, is there's only a limited number of acts who can headline these festivals and make it worthwhile for fans to brave the heat, dust and hoards to attend. The Dave Matthews Band, Radiohead, Paul McCartney, Prince, Madonna and others have popped up to pack in the crowds, but there are too many festivals to service them all.

Is it worth it? No.

Last week Coachella released its less-than-stellar lineup (despite solid acts like Jay-Z). And now Michigan's Rothbury Festival has pulled the plug on its third year, putting off the festival till at least 2011.

The problem? They overreach. The original Lollapalooza was such a success because of low ticket prices and searching out then-little-known talent such as Nine Inch Nails and Pearl Jam. In later years it turned to high-priced tickets and headliners like Metallica, and after canceling the 2005 tour it has downsized itself to Chicago only. Those big headliners were not what fans want, as shown by the ongoing success of the Warped Tour, which has stuck with the "see a billion bands for forty bucks" formula for years.

We'll see what happens with the rest. Bonnaroo brought in Bruce Springsteen to headline last year, but the superstar acts on the road this year are decidedly few. And U2 has its own thing going on.

Springsteen at Bonnaroo