Music Bender

John Lennon’s first wife, Cynthia Lennon, and their son, Julian, are about to launch a new exhibition of memorabilia in the name of a new charity.

White Feather: The Spirit of Lennon is being held in conjunction with Liverpool’s Beatles Story museum, and will include belongings and photos of Lennon’s family life. The White Feather Foundation is also the name of a charity that’s being set up by the Cynthia and Julian that’ll on environmental and humanitarian issues.

“The white feather is so prevalent in my life,” Julian says. “One thing for sure is that it’s always represented peace to me. And one of the things my father said to me was that should he pass away, if there was some way of letting me know he was going to be okay, or that we were all going to be okay, it was by in some way, shape or form presenting me with a white feather.

“I hope this exhibition lets people see another aspect of his life and our time together as a family. This collection represents something of great importance to us as it is part of our history.”

The exhibition opens at the Mersey Ferries terminal building at Liverpool’s Albert Dock on June 17 and runs until December 31. More information can be found at the official website.

“Caught the early plane back to London/Fifty acorns tied in a sack/The men from the press said, ‘We wish you success, it’s good to have the both of you back’”

You remember the words from “The Beatles’” Ballad Of John and Yoko (I put the Fab Four’s name in quotes because only John and Paul played on the recording). It referred to the Acorn Peace effort that Yoko Ono and husband John Lennon made in 1969.
Though John’s been gone from us for nearly 29 years, Yoko will recreate the promotion to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

She’ll send acorns to 123 world leaders – including President Obama – urging them to strive for world peace. Each world leader will receive two acorns in a transparent box with the inscription “Acorn Peace by John And Yoko, Spring 2009″.

Here’s how it all started:
“On 15 June 1968, John Lennon and Yoko Ono planted two acorns for peace at Coventry Cathedral. The acorns were planted in east and westerly positions, symbolizing the meeting of the couple and the union of their two cultures. This was the first of many peace events that the couple would initiate throughout their lives. They followed the planting by sending acorns to world leaders in the hope that they would plant oak trees in their gardens”.

If there’s anything that the couple taught us, it’s that peace begets peace. In other words, you can fight, you can scream, in the hope that it accomplished your dream; but the only way to make them understand is to reach out and take them by the hand.
For the peace is there for all of us to share; it’s fragile and it’s agile and too delicate to scare. So put away your guns and killing other’s loved ones … and reach out your unarmed hand … in love … in understanding … in peace*.

From A Peace-meal Song, composed and performed by this writer in 1968.

iPhone, YOURphone

Seems like everybody’s catching the “iPhone” craze these days — and for good reason: They’re powerful, accessible, web-compatible and portable!
But, if you have one, you know that accessories are just important as the phone itself. Now, while most areas have stores that sell those, you know it can (a) take forever to get a salesperson that’ll help you, (b) cost you a bundle for whatever you’re buying, and (c) offer no guarantee that it’s gonna work on your phone!
Want a better way to shop for those accessories … and at a more wallet-smiling price? It’s simple:
Just click this link that’ll take you to the best, most reliable and affordable in iphone accessories.
You’ll be glad you made the choice, believe me!

Now … all that bein’ said, I’ll see ya on the flip side …

From the vault of the Rock Relic, this is … TRIVIA!

Okay, Rockaholics … here’s where we do a little nitpicking over the oldies rock scene. We’re diggin’ wayyyyyy down deep in the pile to find stuff you might not know concerning your faves:

For example,

• did you know that an airport in England used to play Tina Turner songs at full blast on its runways … to scare away birds?
• If you noticed that Ricky Nelson’s song, Travelin’ Man had some of the same notes as Sam Cooke’s Another Saturday Night, it’s because the song was written for Cooke! He turned it down, and it made gold for Rick!
• The velvety-voiced crooner, Perry Como, was literally the seventh son of a seventh son … (take THAT, Johnny Rivers!)
• Monster Mash singer, Bobby “Boris” Pickett, once found his tour bus breaking down outside the town of … Frankenstein, Mo.!
• Cher was a background vocalist on The Righteous Brothers’ You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.
• The word toke in One Toke Over The Line by Brewer and Shipley actually was (and still is) a slang version of the word token (remember: They were “sittin’ downtown in a railway station”)
• Two of Jim Croce’s biggest hit songs were inspired by real people. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown was a member of the Air National Guard who’d gone AWOL; and Big Jim Walker (You Don’t Mess Around With Jim) really was a pool-shootin’ son-of-a-gun from south Philadelphia.
• Darlene Love, who sang lead vocals on The Crystals’ hits like He’s A Rebel, played Danny Glover’s wife in all four Lethal Weapon movies.
• Disc Jockey Murray the K (aka “The Fifth Beatle”) and Bobby Darin were soaking their feet after playing a game of softball. Murray called his mother and told her what they were doing. She later called him back and said she had an idea for a song: Splish Splash, take a bath. They worked on the lyrics … and Darin’s hit song was born!
• Fats Domino’s Blueberry Hill was probably his biggest hit … but many old-timers might remember it … because it was also a #1 hit with bandleader Glenn Miller back in 1940!
• The Ballad of John and Yoko (which was banned because John was said to be using “Christ’s name in vain” [he wasn't. Listen to the lyrics in the chorus. He was addressing Christ, and, in angst, called out his name loudly as if to get His attention]) wasn’t actually the Beatles per se. The entire song (including instruments) was recorded only by John and Paul.
  

AN EYE FOR CREAM

There are so many creams out there that claim to fade away wrinkles and make your face look smooth and younger  Unfortunately, you won’t find a lot of them that are strong enough to work around the one place you need it:  the eyes.
So, whenever you go to a cosmetics store (or even the drug store) to find these creams, how can you be sure you’re finding one that does help take out the circles and puffiness, etc., around your eyes?  And, even if you do find one, can you be certain it’s safe? Or at a price you can afford?
Well, there’s one way you can find out for sure:  Just click on the link I’m about to give you!  You’ll find a comparison of the best of these — their effectiveness, quality, power, safety — and where you can purchase these at the lowest price!

If this sounds good to you (and anybody who uses anti-wrinkle creams will certainly think so, right?), then click this link to find the right eye cream for you!

Now, we’ll continue the trivia in the next post. Until then … (hey … it’s late! Gotta get some sleep here …) keep your eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your heart with the music .. and I’ll see ya (with more from the Relic Vault) on the flip side …

One of my (and many rock fans’) fave bands, Green Day, is back, with a new album and some seriously rockin’ music. Their new album cover (seen on yer left) has been compared favorably to their hit CD, dookie.

“21st Century Breakdown” is the new set’s title track, and it sets out this LP’s design: rebellion and the disintegration of America by way of rock opera, strange piano intros and all.

So, while this one clocks in at five minutes, really it’s three discrete movements: the first imagines Green Day as a blue colllar NJ band with a taste for big statements and stuck on Lennon (”My generation is zero / I never made it as a working class hero”); next is the Meat Loaf-like hairpin turn into a pop-punky gallop, with baby boomer-hate (”the bastards of 1969!”) and a new key that screams “set change!”; and finally a bombastic half-time coda that’s all Queen or My Chemical Romance, depending on how old you are.

There’s no doubt about it: Billie Joe Armstrong is one of the most animated and insightful songwriters to come down the pike in years — and this album proves it. We’ve seen him grow and progress over the past decade … and the band shows no signs of wearing-down or stopping!

Here’s the title track from the album:

“Breakdown,” 2009:

Now, I’m gonna get a little shut-eye if possible, but stay tuned, ’cause I’ll have more in less than 24!

See ya on the flip side …

This year marks the 40th anniversary of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Bed-in , which was in Montréal, Quebec, Canada from May 26 to June 2, 1969. It took place at The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel and became legendary for its (at the time) unusual message of peace.

Now, to honor the event, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, in collaboration with Yoko Ono, will have an exhibition called IMAGINE: JOHN & YOKO’s PACIFIST ANTHEM which will run from April 2 to June 21, 2009. Oh … and it’s free to the public.
It’ll follow the artistic and musical dialog that occurred then by and between Beatle John Lennon and his wife, Yoko.

The bed-in instantly (and obviously!) got worldwide media attention; they spoke to over 150 journalists each day, and (in the US alone) 350 radio stations carried reports on the happening, which was meant for everyone around the world already protesting against the war in Vietnam.

The highlight of this unique event was Lennon’s composition of Give Peace A Chance on June 1st. He wrote the song on the spur of the moment and made the suite into a recording studio under the direction of André Perry. Some 50 people contributed to the recording of the song, which was immediately broadcast worldwide. Celebrities included Tommy Smothers, Dr Timothy Leary and Petula Clark.

According to the ticker: Through the presentation of various documents, works of arts, records, sound reels and photographs, the exhibition will raise awareness of the historical and political context of 1969 which formed the backdrop to the Bed-In and will revive the thinking John Lennon and Yoko Ono and their urgent message for peace.

WHERE TO STAY

To mark the 40th anniversary The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth hotel invites guests to relive the legend and experience their own bed-in through the IMAGINE PACKAGE.

The package includes one night accommodation; One CD featuring Give Peace a Chance; breakfast in bed for two or buffet breakfast in Le Montréalais restaurant and a copy of the lyrics of Give Peace a Chance. This package is available from March 1 to June 21, 2009, subject to availability. Rates start from $199 per night, based on double occupancy, in a Fairmont room,
Or (now get this:) for $599 per night, based on double occupancy, you can stay in the actual John Lennon and Yoko Ono Suite (#1742) where the bed-in took place.
For more information visit: The Faimont Hotel.

To make a reservation in the Lennon Suite, please call the hotel directly at 514-861-3511.

So, right now, I’m gonna Give Sleep A Chance for about 360 minutes … but stay tuned: I’ll have more coming up in about 24! Until then …
see ya on the flip side!

It’s one of the best and most sensible charities a music lover could ever find:

Y’see, Musicians on Call — which provides room-to-room hospital performances by both local musicians and national celebrities — has just announced James Taylor as the headliner for their 5th Annual Benefit Concert & Auction. It’ll take place at the Hard Rock Cafe New York in Times Square on February 24, 2009.

The org’s 5th Annual Benefit Concert & Auction will kick off Hard Rock’s month-long March On Stage charitable celebration. March On Stage is a global live music series featuring both established as well as up-and-coming artists in a drive to support music healing organizations. Committed to its “Love All, Serve All” creed, Hard Rock will donate proceeds from its March on Stage events in North America to Musicians On Call.

“Musicians On Call’s campaign to bring music straight to the bedsides of patients in hospitals would not be able to continue to expand without the donations made at our annual event.” says Leslie Faerstein, Executive Director of Musicians On Call. “The impact of this one night has a profound effect throughout the rest of the year improving the health and spirits of thousands of patients one song and one bed at a time.”

Here are just a few items that will be available for bidding at www.musiciansoncall.org beginning on February 10th:

• a one-hour personal painting lesson from singer (and renowned artist) Tony Bennett at his private studio in New York City
• a visit to the set of Nickelodeon’s hit series iCarly;
• autographed guitars from Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, Depeche Mode, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Loggins, Black Crowes, Kings Of Leon, Kanye West, David Cook, & Brooks & Dunn.

The annual Musicians On Call Benefit Concerts have raised over a million dollars for the organization in the past four years; helping them to continue their mission of bringing music to patients in healthcare facilities. While aiding Musicians On Call, lucky music fans have walked away with a load of signed guitars and other treasures, including a signed 1952 reissued Telecaster from Bruce Springsteen, a played harmonica from the Johnny Cash Estate, time in the studio with Maroon 5, artwork from John Lennon, and a signed basketball from Justin Timberlake.

Tickets for this unparalleled benefit (with a special performance by James Taylor) are available at www.musiciansoncall.org.

We know that music can be immensely therapeutic to those who are ill, injured or otherwise incapacitated. Here’s your chance to pitch in and help millions around the globe. So why not give ‘em a click and show your support now?

Listen … before we go on with this particular post, remember that it’s the 50th anniversary of the plane crash that took Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper from us. To read more about it, click here.

Now, if you’re lookin’ for some prime office space, ya might wanna check out a cool location in London. But it’s not any building …

Y’see, the five-story structure (located at 3 Savile Row, in case you wanna take a look-see) is where The Beatles headquartered their Apple Corps in the late ’60s. In fact, the band bought it for an easy £500,000.
And on January 30, 1969, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr played a very famous performance on its rooftop! They’d been recording their final album, Let It Be, in the basement studio, before staging their first live performance for nearly three years (it was also their absolute last).

But it has even more history: It was constructed in 1735, and was once bought by Lord Horatio Nelson for his mistress Lady Hamilton.
Owners Kier Property plan to sell it for office space but they believe the Beatles connection will send the value up quite a bit.

Leigh Thomas, Kier’s associate director, said: “It’s being marketed internationally. If someone wants a bit of heritage with a bit of history of the band, then this is the place. I still get goose bumps in here. It’s the world’s biggest piece of memorabilia!”

HERE’S THE GIG THAT MADE THAT ROOFTOP FAMOUS:

So that’s it for now … but stay tuned: there’s more in 24!
‘Til then …
see ya on the flip side …

Awright, awright … so I made one little mistake on the last post.

Or … did I??

Actually, thanks to a very sharp reader named Isabella, I was informed that Zep guitarist Jimmy Page’s manager has nixed any reunion of the super-group. Now, I’d drafted my post before the news came out, so (and knowing how this story’s taken more turns than a mountain road!) I shoulda checked for the latest.

Of course, if he changes his mind again, I’m right, right??

Anyway, I appreciate Isabella’s comments. Great to have readers like her around!

Now … on to today’s kaffeeklatsche:

Hey … remember that nonsense with a digitally-spliced-and-diced John Lennon pushing laptops? (suuuuuure … like John would think all the starving, diseased and dying kids of the world need a laptop to heal their painNO,HEWOULDN’T!) Yep … it was him (or his sound bytes), alright … and Yoko approved his voice/image use!

But now she’s on the right track by allowing the WHY organization to use his song, Give Peace A Chance, on the new CD comp, SERVE3. It’ll also include rare, new or previously unreleased tracks from some of music’s best artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Joss Stone, Avril Lavigne, Starsailor, My Morning Jacket and more. SERVE3 will be available at Hard Rock locations around the world and on Hard Rock.com, with digital downloads ready for ya at iTunes.com.

Here’s what Yoko said: “I am glad that WHY is using John’s lyrics to communicate the seriousness of this issue to the world. Let’s all work together to make a world without hunger as soon as humanly possible. We owe this battle to our children. WAR IS OVER if you want it. In brotherhood and sisterhood.”
Wanna know more? Here’s the site again: http://www.worldhungeryear.org.

Speakin’ of Hard Rock, why not visit their Hell?

Ummm … WHUT??

Yep … ’tis true: Hard Rock Hell Hotels is a new worldwide hotel site for people who love rock, metal and traveling around the globe.

It’s really simple, too: Just type in any country, town, resort, apply your dates and how many are traveling and you’ll find some amazing prices appear. Now, the hotels operate in over 120 countries around the world. They claim to make sure you get what you want, where you want, at a price that suits your wallet/purse/account!

Huh?? Yeah, I know it’s a bit early for vacations (we haven’t even worn the “New” off the “Year” yet!), but why not check ‘em out and make some reservations for later in the ‘09? Their site’s behind this link!

Imagine your friends’ faces when ya get back: “WOW! Where ya BEEN?” “Awww, ME? I’ve been to Hard Rock Hell!” A guaranteed conversation-starter! lol

HEY … REMEMBER DOO-WOP MUSIC??

Well, if ya do (for the youngsters, it was the rock music of the pre-Elvis years), ya might wonder how some of the greats got their amazing sound! Soooo, from the RelicVault, here’s
THE LEGENDS OF DOO-WOP

Well, that’s all for now, yardbirds … but stay tuned: there’s more in 24! ‘Til then …

see ya on the flip side!