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RIP DJ Happy Hare, plus Casbah 20th Anniversary, Local Radio History Parts 1 thru 3, more
As a radio guy, I loved to see all this stuff. Happy Hare needs the love...he was a local legend! Speaking of bras being sold, in 1993, my morning show auctioned off a bra from our afternoon DJ Shanon Leder. She didn't want to donate one of her bras, even though it was for charity (how lame is that?) So we bought one about her size (38D), and had her autograph it. That thing was up to a few hundred bucks, when someone traded a motorcycle for it. Good times.— January 9, 2009 1:05 p.m.
Why Al Kooper Hates Local Writers (But Loves San Diego), plus Metallica Loves San Diego Too, Local Public Access Music Show History, more
Damn...you sure have lots and lots of music stuff in your blogs. I think my last music related one was short as hell. Upon reflection, Kooper is actually correct. I interviewed him in a very unprofessional way. That stems from the fact that I had an album I purchased, the debut of Lynyrd Skynyrd, signed by the entire band. It cost me $500. And, since Kooper discovered that band, and produced their first 3 albums (I believe)...I wanted him to sign it. I thought it might be unprofessional of me, as a reporter, to ask him to sign an album (he might then feel obligated to do so), so I wanted to appear as a fan. But then when I started asking him questions, I didn't say "Oh yeah, I work for a periodically called the Reader. I might possibly write what you say." IN fact, at that time, I had no intention of even writing that. But when I attended the concert that night, I decided to write about it. As anyone knows, the Reader doesn't run concert reviews, unless something "happens" at the concert (like when I wrote about Echo and the Bunnyman, and someone in the crowd possibly being stabbed). That's when...to make the story a bit longer, I included bits of the conversation with Kooper. I can totally see how he'd feel ambushed by that.— January 9, 2009 1:01 p.m.
Unkind History
In some more current STYX news...the last few concerts the band has played in town, have sold poorly. That might be because fans are now aware that Dennis DeYoung is no longer with the band. And neither is most of the line-up from the early days. But, with the Chargers playing the Steelers, and Pittsburgh using the song Renegade at games, well, that got the band there this weekend to do the National Anthem. I'd love to see them slip Mr. Roboto in there. Guitarist Tommy Shaw, in a news release, said "We love the way the Steelers use our song. We especially love their video montage of 'Greatest Hits' using 'Renegade' as the music bed as they hammer opposing team members carrying the ball."— January 9, 2009 8:44 a.m.
Flogging Molly...and Amanda
Wow...I just found out from a music friend of mine, that Flogging Mollys singer, used to sing for the song Fastway (a "one hit wonder" band from the 80s, that had this great song called "Say What You Will"...weird).— January 9, 2009 12:47 a.m.
Favorite Few
Are you joking? Google and find them yourself...I've debated this topic too many times and it bores me. And as a Democrat, it's actually a bit frustrating, too. One thing you won't find online, though, happened right here in San Diego. My friend witnessed it. At a booksigning, police helped with crowd control. He LIED and said the cops were harassing him and told him to leave. When they in fact didn't. He then got into his car and left, leaving the cops baffled. And the crowd angry.— January 9, 2009 12:45 a.m.
San Diego Stupid Chargers
Yeah, I didn't realize he was on probation for previous DUIs until I read that in this mornings Union-Tribune. Also, I forgot about even mentioning that Charger Keil, who died drinking and driving after leaving a party in Scripps Ranch. When you mentioned players signing a contract that they can't drink, it reminded me of something. In the early 90s, I went to visit a friend in Salt Lake City. I wanted to go to a sports bar to watch a Julio Casear Chavez fight. The best sports bar in town, owned by a guy that was a broadcaster for Jazz games. I can't think of his name, but he used to play for the Lakers. Well, he had his restaurant designed really well. Some sports bars are such crap, with a few pennants on the wall, and not much of interest. His memorabilia was so much fun. Well, near the front door, he had his first contract with the Lakers. It was in the mid-60s I'm guessing. And so, the pay wasn't outrageous (not to mention, he wasn't Jerry West or Elgin Baylor). And, there was something that said he had to stay at 170 pounds, and he would be fined $10 for each pound over that he weighed. It was hysterical! I read in another book...I think it was by Lenny Wilkens, but I can't remember. He told about Red Auerebach being so strick about what the players ate, that when he walked down and saw them all munching on pancakes, he said that they are fattening and they couldn't eat them and would start fining players for eating bad foods. The guys then started scarfing 'em down, and he yelled "what are you doing!" One player said, "We might as well eat them all now, since you are no longer letting us eat them." He stood there silent for a few seconds, before saying, "I'm going to fine you guys $10 a bite, starting now." They all put down their forks. Why teams can't have stuff in contracts now, is beyond me. Maybe because they wouldn't be able to field a team.— January 8, 2009 12:33 a.m.
The Comeback Clint
The Eastwood movie will end with him trying to get his car out, as he was boxed in by neighbors. And, as a 70 year old driver, has trouble getting out of tight spots when it's parallel parking involved. So he goes on a rampage to get revenge on his neighbors. Am I the only one that was disappointed with the Warriors? I guess the novelty value of it was okay. And the Joe Walsh song "In the City" most excellent.— January 7, 2009 10:07 p.m.
Like an Eagle
I just saw Jack at his usual stompin' grounds..Calypso Cafe in Encinitas. Great show. And, that place has some great soup! And, make sure you catch Astra Kelly. She has some amazing acoustic songs as well, and she does a lot to support local music.— January 7, 2009 1:35 p.m.
Leaving Off the Airplane
Fred, it amazes me that someone as smart as you, keeps missing my point. I, myself, WOULD NOT have fear of someone in a headscarf, or a T-shirt with writing I couldn't read. I wouldn't think they "might be" a terrorist. But, I go by two philosophies. The "when in Rome"...which means, you're in America, so maybe try to do things that ingratiate yourself to the culture. And, don't do anything that might alarm other people. How hard is that to do? If you want to talk about me not understanding the words on a T-shirt, let me give you the other end of the spectrum (sort of). When that idiot used the word "niggardly" in the work place, and an African-American got upset (for those that don't know, the word means "stingy/cheap"). I immediately said, the person using the word is an idiot, that probably did it on purpose to upset the black co-worker. My friend argued, "Hey...just because that person doesn't know what a word means. He should buy a dictionary." But the simple fact is, 98% of the population doesn't know what that word means. And 100% of the population knows what that word sounds like. Therefore, you're silly to use such a word, when the word "cheap" would've worked perfectly, and not offended anyone. Get my point now, Fred? The person that wore the shirt to the airport that had writing in Farcy...did that on purpose. So when they were asked to change the shirt, they weren't shocked. Things just went according to plan.— January 7, 2009 11:38 a.m.
San Diego Super Chargers
Yeah. What she said. After years of people telling me to watch Curb Your Enthusiasm, I finally have. Wow...that show is hysterical. The episode I watched yesterday has Larry watching the big game, when his wife returns from a trip. There's two minutes left in the game, and she wants to talk about nieces and nephews, while he just says "yes," and nods, while watching the TV. It ends in a three day fight, requiring him to buy a diamond bracelet to make-up.— January 7, 2009 11:29 a.m.