In The Wall Street Journal this weekend, I wrote the original cover essay for the paper's prestigious Review section on How the Rock Concert Changed America. My piece also is online here. In the essay, I take the reader through the rock concert's history, beginning 70 years ago this fall, by showing how the event helped give rise to the youth culture and had a dramatic impact on fashion, relationships, the rights of others and social causes. But there were negative impacts as well, such as the glamorization of drinking and drugs, the glorification of destructive behavior by bands, and the abuse of women, many underage, who had the misfortune to make their way into band entourages backstage. For more, my book, Rock Concert, is out next Tuesday, Nov. 9. [Photo above of Los Angeles DJ and MC Hunter Hancock in 1951 cooling off tenor saxophonist Big Jay McNeely at one of Hancock's midnight R&B concerts at the Olympic Auditorium; photo courtesy of Bob Willoughby]
Also in the WSJ this week, I wrote an essay for the Opinion pages about Emerson, Lake & Palmer's Pictures at an Exhibition, an album first available in the U.S. as an import in late 1971 and then officially released by Atlantic in early 1972 (go here). A progressive rock classic, the album and the band have been long derided by those who felt the band's classical overtones were pretentious. The truth is that 50 years later, "Pictures" remains a stunning rock keyboard album, featuring the breathtaking technique of Keith Emerson, who plays five keyboards and was a fan of Brother Jack McDuff. At the time, in the hands of Emerson, Rick Wakeman and other prog rockers, the keyboard eclipsed the electric guitar as the focus of rock bands and in the coolness department.
Here's Emerson, Lake & Palmer performing Pictures at an Exhibition...
And lastly in the WSJ this week, for my "House Call" column in the Mansion section, I interviewed Michael Imperioli of The Sopranos fame. A day before he was to start college as a pre-med student in Albany, Michael decided not to go. Instead, he went down to NYU but found it was too late to enroll in its acting program. While walking uptown, he came across the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute. He went inside and the rest is history. [Photo above of Michael Imperioli and James Gandolfini in The Sopranos, courtesy of HBO]
Here's Michael as Spider in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas...
Tuesday is the big day when my new book, Rock Concert, will be published by Grove Press. Order now and get the book sooner. I guarantee you won't be able to put it down. You'll be swept away by the drama, the revelations and the language in the voices of my 90-plus sources as you weave through the years of your youth. Two and a half years of labor on my part, so you know it's a great read. Remember, Rock Concert makes a perfect holiday gift. Who in their right mind is going to open the wrapping paper and see the words Rock Concert and wish you had gotten them something else? Come on, eh? Go here.
Oh, and check out the book website I created with Kathleen, one of GoDaddy's top designers. Go here.
Tony Bennett. So honored that Tony Bennett's official social-media sites (Facebook, above) mentioned my post from earlier last week on his electrifying 1965 performance of If I Ruled the World. If you missed my post on Tony's jazz vocal or you want to see it again, here it is...
Pat Martino. Photographer Norm Snyder sent along the above image of the late, great guitarist. So spectacular. To visit Norm's site, go here. [Photo above of guitarist Pat Martino by Norm Snyder, courtesy of Norm Snyder]
More Pat. Dave Thompson sent along this clip of pianist Dave Frank hosting a masterclass led by Pat Martino...
Even more Pat. Last week I heard from Walter Croft, who sent me the above photo with the following email:
Marc, I always enjoy reading your email newsletter. I wanted to share this portrait I took of Pat Martino with a film camera (not edited or enhanced by software). This image was captured on January 21, 2017 before the Pat Martino Trio's performance at The Velvet Note in my hometown of Alpharetta, Ga. Martino was accompanied by Pat Bianchi on Hammond B3 organ and Carmen Intorre on drums.
I was at the the bar in the back of the room when Pat walked over and stood beside me as he observed the audience sitting in the narrow, cramped dining room, with a cozy stage at the far end of the room. It was a sold-out show, and we spoke before the first set of the evening. Pat and I talked about his love of jazz, relearning how to play guitar, and, since I shared with him that I was a fellow guitarist, we discussed jazz theory and how it integrates with his interpretation of the I Ching. Pat used the Chinese philosophical classic as a spiritual and musical guide throughout his life. I can only say that our 15-minute conversation was simply profound.
Turntable talk. Director Raymond De Felitta recently posted on RCA's first record-changer in 1931 (ingenious!) here. He also raised the question as to why the 33 1/3 speed was included on the unit. For the answer, go here.
CD you should know about.
Lizzie Thomas—New Sounds From the Jazz Age. Lizzie gives nine songbook standards beckoning and brassy interpretations. While all of the songs here are well-known, Lizzie digs in with passion and superb sidemen. Joining her on different tracks are Omar Daniels tenor sax and flute, Felix Peikli on clarinet, John Colianni on piano, Russell Malone and Matt Chertkoff on guitar, Jay Leonhart and Boots Maleson on bass, Bernard Linnette drums and Doug Hindrichs on percussion. Go here.
Here's Lizzie on I Didn't Know About You...
Eye candy. Take a break and check out these marvelous book covers from the 1950s and '60s at Fishink, a wonderful site in the U.K. that's as welcoming as a crackling fireplace. Go here.
And finally, the masterful pianist and vocalist Eliane Elias, with bassist (and husband) Marc Johnson and drummer Adam Nussbaum performing a tremendous Waltz for Debby in 2009. Go here...
