Still Crazy After All These Years...

Today in rock history, in 1971, Charlie Manson and friends are found guilty. This doesn’t have much to do with Rock except the chain of murders was triggered, in Manson’s twisted mind, by The Beatles’ “White Album” and (in particular) the songs “Helter Skelter” and “Piggies.” Here’s one of Charlie’s recorded works and, hey - the song ain’t bad! As an extra added bonus, here’s Weird Al “interviewing” ol’ Charlie. Thanks to http://www.rockintown.com/today-in-rock.html, and keep on rockin’, but in a law-abiding way!

Take a Load Off Fanny...

… take a load for free…Today in rock history, in 1994, The Band, among others, are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Eric Clapton. The Band perform "The Weight" with special guest Eric Clapton; and also featuring Garth Hudson on accordion, Paul Schaefer on keyboards and Anton Figg on drums. It’s the first time guitarist/vocalist Robbie Robertson has played with the group in 15 years. Thanks to http://www.rockintown.com/today-in-rock.html for the info, and keep on rockin’!

Secret "Asian" Man

On this date in 1963, the legendary Whisky-A-Go-Go opens on the Sunset Strip (8901 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, California). While the club fell on some hard times in the 80’s, closing in 1982, it reopened in 1986 and continues its run. The club served as a launching pad for several L.A. bands including the Doors. Johnny Rivers was one of the first live acts to play the “The Whisky” in 1964; the show also included DJ Rhonda Lane spinning records between sets from a cage to the right of the stage; since she was known to dance along with Rivers’ music, the audience thought it was part of the act and the concept of Go-Go dancers dancing in cages was born. Let’s catch a bit of Rivers’ act, thanks to http://www.rockintown.com/today-in-rock.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whisky_a_Go_Go for the info, and keep on rockin’!

And It's 1,2,3...

...What’re we fightin’ for…Today in rock history, in 1967, in order to avoid the draft, folk singer Jesse Winchester moves to Canada. I was of draftable age during the Vietnam “era,” and I must admit that the thought crossed my mind, but then, in the spring of 1970, the lottery came out, and I was #264, so…they never got around to me, I guess. Let’s enjoy some of the ol’ draft-dodger’s work (he became a Canadian citizen in 1973, gained amnesty in the U.S. in 1977 and resettled there in 2002), thanks to http://oldies.about.com/od/oldieshistory/a/january5.htm and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Winchester for the info, and keep on rockin’!