RIP, Mark E Smith of The Fall.
Broadcast Industry Trailblazer Denise Donlon to receive 2018 Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award at 2018 JUNOS
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) today announced music industry veteran Denise Donlon will be awarded the 2018 Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award for her long standing commitment to Canadian Music.
The Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award recognizes industry leaders who have vastly contributed to the growth and development of the Canadian music industry. Named after famed Canadian publisher and trailblazer Walt Grealis, this year’s award will be presented to Donlon at the 47th Annual JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards Presented by SOCAN on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia.
With a career spanning close to 40 years, Donlon has been an integral part of Canada’s music scene. Recognized for rising through the ranks at Much Music, Donlon transformed the cultural landscape as host, producer, Director of Programming and later Vice President and General Manager. She went on further to become the first female president of Sony Music Canada, where she worked alongside many of the country’s music elite, including Céline Dion, Leonard Cohen, Chantal Kreviazuk and Our Lady Peace. Her passion for Canadian cultural expression was further realized as Executive Director then General Manager of CBC/Radio-Canada English Radio.
Her journey throughout her various careers with artists such as Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, The Tragically Hip and more are chronicled in her memoir ‘Fearless As Possible (Under the Circumstances)’. Donlon’s continued commitment to Canadian Broadcasting has earned her countless accolades over the years including two Gemini Awards, Canadian Women in Communications’ Woman of the Year Award and an induction into the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame. Additionally Donlon is a Fellow of the Royal Conservatory of Music, a Fellow of the Canadian Geographical Society, and a Member of the Order of Canada.
“We are thrilled to name Denise as the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award recipient this year and to celebrate her extraordinary career. Denise’s exceptional business savvy and artistic excellence has made her a woman to admire, watch and learn from both within and outside the music industry,” said Allan Reid, President & CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards and MusiCounts. “As a talented and fearless leader, whose deep understanding of the media landscape has resulted in groundbreaking Canadian programming, Denise has helped advance the careers of so many of this country’s dynamic musicians and artists.”
“When Allan called to tell me of this wonderful recognition, I almost drove off the road.” said Donlon. “I consider myself extremely lucky to have been involved in the evolution of this creative industry. Thank you to CARAS and all of the incredibly talented artists and executives with whom I’ve been honoured to work. Canada is truly an Arts Nation. Long may we thrive.”
Donlon began her career in the Canadian music scene in 1985 as a host and producer of Much Music’s The NewMusic. In a few short years she rose to the executive level, appointed MuchMusic/CityTV Director of Music Programming in 1992 and Vice President and General Manager in 1997, where she integrated social justice issues into programming from Much Comes Out to the Gemini Award winning Election coverage. In 1998 she played a key role in the launch of MuchMoreMusic. In 2000, Donlon accepted the role of President of Sony Music Canada, overseeing promotion, marketing, production, manufacturing and distribution.
Highly regarded as an industry leader, Donlon eventually left Sony Music Canada and took on the role of executive director of CBC Radio’s English-language services, a position she held from 2008 to 2011. In 2013 she returned to on-camera, co-producing The Zoomer with co-host Conrad Black. Her impressive and storied career led her to document her journey in her memoir, Fearless as Possible (Under the Circumstances).
Donlon’s inspiring journey is complemented by her devotion to humanitarian efforts. She has lent her time to several charitable initiatives over the years, working with organizations such as War Child Canada, MusiCounts, Waterkeepers, Live 8 and the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership. Similarly, she contributed to the Clinton Global Initiative as the event producer, an initiative that raised over $21 million in one night.
Her professional and humanitarian achievements have been widely recognized, earning her significant accolades across the industry. In 1997 she received the Outstanding Achievement Award from Women in Film and Television Toronto, earned the Humanitarian Spirit Award at Canadian Music Week and was named Canadian Music Week’s Broadcast Executive of the Year three consecutive times, from 1993 to 1995.
In 2009 Donlon was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Powerful Women and that same year she won The Rosalie Award at Canadian Music Week. Donlon’s achievements as a female executive in a male-dominated field have also earned her top accolades within the world of business and literature. She won the Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit in 2001, has two honourary Doctorates, and has been named Woman of Vision from Wired Women.
Marc Bolan and Ringo Starr with T.Rex Backstage At Wembley in 1972
Check out these cool clips surrounding the filming of Born to Boogie, a 1972 British concert film about a concert at Wembley Empire Pool starring T. Rex, Marc Bolan, Ringo Starr and Elton John. Directed by Starr himself, the movie was released on The Beatles’ Apple Films label.
Born to Boogie consists of concert footage; recording studio scenes with Ringo Starr and Elton John, filmed at the Apple Studios in Savile Row, London, and various vignettes reminiscent of The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour, shot at Denham and Tittenhurst Park, Sunninghill. The Tea Party sequence was filmed at John Lennon’s estate in the same spots as Lennon’s “Imagine” video was filmed.
https://youtu.be/YpHnkvLvb6M
Lynyrd Skynyrd Announce Farewell Tour
After a career that has spanned more than 40 years and includes a catalog of more than 60 albums, Southern Rock icons, Lynyrd Skynyrd, will embark on its final Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour presented by SiriusXM. The first leg of the career-concluding tour, produced by Live Nation, will kick off Friday, May 4 in West Palm Beach, FL at the Coral Sky Amphitheatre and will wrap Saturday, September 1 in Atlanta, GA at the Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood. The tour will cross the country throughout the summer over Fridays and Saturdays to give fans one last memorable night of classic American Rock-and-Roll.
Tickets for the tour go on sale to the general public starting Friday, February 2 at 10:00 a.m. local time at LiveNation.com. Citi® is the official presale credit card for the Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour. As such, Citi® cardmembers have access to purchase U.S. presale tickets, which are available beginning Tuesday, January 30 at 10:00 a.m. local time until Thursday, February 1 at 10:00 p.m. local time through Citi’s Private Pass® program. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com.
“It’s hard to imagine, after all these years, the band that Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins and myself started back in Jacksonville, would resonate for this long and to so many generations of fans. I’m certain they are looking down from above, amazed that the music has touched so many,” said Gary Rossington, original and founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Lead vocalist, Johnny Van Zant added, “we’ve been blessed by these great songs and the messages they carry to the fans. It’s been a true honor to try and fill in my brother’s footsteps for the past 31 years, keeping the music and his spirit alive.”
In addition to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band, numerous friends including but not limited to: Kid Rock, Hank Williams Jr., Charlie Daniels Band, Bad Company, Marshall Tucker Band, 38 Special, Blackberry Smoke and Blackfoot, will perform as special guests on the tour. The tour derives its name from their new song, “The Last of the Street Survivors” and the band’s fifth studio album Street Survivors that is certified multi-Platinum by the RIAA and includes the Platinum-certified single, “What’s Your Name.”
The Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour marks a big moment for the three generation of fans, as the band has been consistently touring since it took a decade off in 1977. The iconic group is widely known for their live performances that usually include their beloved, elongated version of “Free Bird,” most often played at the end of their set, and their live albums including their multi-Platinum certified One More from the Road.
The Southern Rockers are best known for the RIAA Platinum-certified “Sweet Home Alabama” and self-proclaimed signature song, “Free Bird,” that Rolling Stone said was “easily the most requested live song in existence.” With more than 30 million units sold over their career, the band, that USA Today called the “whiskey-soaked genre’s most popular and influential crew,” has become a cultural icon that has spanned five decades. With everlasting hits such as “Simple Man,” “Gimme Three Steps,” “What’s Your Name,” “Call Me The Breeze,” “You Got that Right,” and more, Rolling Stone named Lynyrd Skynyrd one of its 100 Greatest Bands of All Time.
Stay tuned for future announcements and specific tour line-ups in your markets.
Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour presented by SiriusXM
Announced Dates Below
Friday, May 4 – Coral Sky Amphitheatre, West Palm Beach, Florida
Saturday, May 5 – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa, Florida
Friday, May 11 – Starplex Pavilion, Dallas, Texas
Saturday, May 12 – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Presented by Huntsman, Houston, Texas
Friday, May 18 – Ak-Chin Pavilion, Phoenix, Arizona
Saturday, May 19 – Mattress Firm Amphitheatre, Chula Vista, California
Friday, May 25 – Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, California
Saturday, May 26 – Glen Helen Amphitheater, San Bernadino, California
Friday, June 22 – PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, New Jersey
Saturday, June 23 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theatre, Wantagh, New York
Friday, June 29 – Coastal Credit Union Music Park, Raleigh, North Carolina
Saturday, June 30 – PNC Music Pavilion, Charlotte, North Carolina
Friday, July 6 – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Saturday, July 7 – Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, Virginia
Friday, July 13 – Darien Lake Amphitheater, Darien, New York
Saturday, July 14 – Xfinity Theatre, Hartford, Connecticut
Friday, July 20 – Xfinity Center, Mansfield, Massachusetts*
Saturday, July 21 – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, New York
Friday, July 27 – Blossom Music Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Saturday, July 28 – Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Friday, August 3 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, Illinois
Saturday, August 4 – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center, Noblesville, Indiana
Friday, August 10 – DTE Energy Music Theatre, Detroit, Michigan+
Saturday, August 11 – Budweiser Stage, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Friday, August 17 – Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Saturday, August 18 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, St. Louis, Missouri
Friday, August 24 – Lakeview Amphitheatre, Syracuse, New York
Saturday, August 25 – KeyBank Pavilion, Burgettstown, Pennsylvania
Friday, August 31 – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, Pelham, AL
Saturday, September 1 – Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood, Atlanta, Georgia
*on sale at 11:00am local time
+on sale Saturday, February 3 at 10:00 am local time
Jack White Bans Cell Phones At His Shows
Jack White is banning all phones, cameras and other devices from dates on his upcoming spring tour. Sadly, this step a rare thing in the music world, and not the new normal.
“PLEASE NOTE: this is a PHONE-FREE show. No photos, video or audio recording devices allowed. We think you’ll enjoy looking up from your gadgets for a little while and experience music and our shared love of it IN PERSON.
Upon arrival at the venue, all phones and other photo or video-capturing gizmos will be secured in a Yondr pouch that will be unlocked at the end of the show. You keep your pouch-secured phone on you during the show and, if needed, can unlock your phone at any time in a designated Yondr Phone Zone located in the lobby or concourse.
For those looking to do some social media postings, let us help you with that. Our official tour photographer will be posting photos and videos after the show at jackwhiteiii.com and the new Jack White Live Instagram account @officialjackwhitelive.
Repost our photos & videos as much as you want and enjoy a phone-free, 100% human experience.”
Craft Recordings to Reissue Legendary Trio Of Isaac Hayes Albums On Vinyl
On February 23rd, Craft Recordings will release newly remastered editions of three classic albums from soul icon Isaac Hayes: Hot Buttered Soul, Shaft, and Black Moses. Each LP boasts audio remastered by leading engineer Dave Cooley at Elysian Masters from the original analog tapes and comes housed in a faithfully reproduced package, complete with old-school style tip-on jacket, and in the case of Black Moses, a replica of the legendary, iconic four-foot cross-shaped fold-out image of Isaac as Black Moses.
The release comes on the heels of a year-long celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Stax Records, and a historic look at the contributions made by Hayes to the success of the label as embodied in the lauded 2017 deluxe 4CD box set, Isaac Hayes: The Spirit of Memphis (1962-1976), which celebrates the multi-faceted artist’s talents as a producer, writer, and performer.
From his humble beginnings as an orphaned sharecropper to his rise as a session musician, house songwriter, and producer for Stax Records, to his arrival as a star in his own right, Isaac Hayes (1942-2008) became a symbol of what was possible for Black America. Dubbed “Black Moses” during the height of his popularity, Hayes revolutionized soul music, leading it out of the era of the three-minute single and into new territory: that of the fully-orchestrated concept album, complete with extended cuts that, in some cases, spanned nearly the entire side of an LP. The artist also broke barriers in the film industry, scoring the 1971 film Shaft. The soundtrack became Hayes’ fourth consecutive platinum LP, and also earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Song (“Theme From Shaft”). The musician became the first African American to win the Oscar in a non-acting category, and was also the first recipient of the “Best Original Song” category to both write and perform the winning track. Hayes’ success opened the door for other artists and composers, like Curtis Mayfield and Norman Whitfield, to score music for the screen.
In the video below, Dave Cooley discusses remastering the Isaac Hayes catalog for vinyl reissues.
Reaching #1 on the Billboard Soul/R&B chart in the year of its release (1969), Hot Buttered Soul is a transformative genre-bending soul record that changed the shape of popular music forever. Featuring “Walk On By” and Hayes’ expansive, cinematic take on “By The I Get To Phoenix,” this new reissue from Craft Recordings showcases newly remastered audio cut at Elysian Masters under the supervision of Dave Cooley and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Memphis Record Pressing.
Track list:
Side A
1. Walk On By
2. Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic
Side B
1. One Woman
2. By The Time I Get To Phoenix
Both a commercial and critical success, Shaft remains Isaac Hayes’ best-known and best-selling LP released by Stax Records, winning Hayes multiple Grammy Awards in 1972 and an Oscar for “Best Original Song.” The album reached #1 on the Billboard 200 and spent 60 weeks on the chart. In 2014, it was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2014 for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The album contains the ubiquitous #1 chart-topping hit “Theme From Shaft” and top-40 smash, “Do Your Thing.” This new 2-LP reissue from Craft Recordings showcases newly remastered audio cut at Elysian Masters under the supervision of Dave Cooley and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Memphis Record Pressing.
Track list:
Side A
1. Theme From Shaft (Vocal)
2. Bumpy’s Lament
3. Walk From Regio’s
4. Ellie’s Love Theme
5. Shaft’s Cab Ride
Side B
1. Café Regio’s
2. Early Sunday Morning
3. Be Yourself
4. A Friend’s Place
Side C
1. Soulsville (Vocal)
2. No Name Bar
3. Bumpy’s Blues
4. Shaft Strikes Again
Side D
1. Do Your Thing (Vocal)
2. The End Theme
The crucial, ambitiously artistic follow-up to Hayes’ Shaft, Black Moses reached #1 on the Billboard Soul/R&B chart in 1972 and remains relevant today as the result of prominent samples by the likes of Portishead (“Glory Box”) and Alesia Cara (“Here”) who both used elements from “Ike’s Rap II” as the basis of their compositions. Boasting an ambitious package, complete with two 180-gram vinyl LPs, deluxe fold-out packaging, and a replica of the original multi-panel four-foot cruciform image of Hayes as Black Moses, this reissue from Craft Recordings showcases newly remastered audio cut at Elysian Masters under the supervision of Dave Cooley and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Memphis Record Pressing.
Track list:
Side A
1. Never Can Say Goodbye
2. (They Long To Be) Close To You
3. Nothing Takes The Place Of You
4. Man’s Temptation
Side B
1. Never Gonna Give You Up
2. Medley: Ike’s Rap II / Help Me Love
3. Need To Belong To Someone
4. Good Love 6-9-9-6-9
Side C
1. Medley: Ike’s Rap III / Your Love Is So Doggone Good
2. For The Good Times
3. I’ll Never Fall In Love Again
Side D
1. Part-Time Love
2. Medley: Ike’s Rap IV / A Brand New Me
3. Going In Circles
Third Chosen Artist & Song Revealed During Last Night’s Episode of THE LAUNCH
Viewers of CTV’s THE LAUNCH aren’t getting any sleep tonight, as Calgary-based alternative/blues/psychedelic rock trio The Static Shift – comprised of Mitchell Brady (guitar/lead vocals), Keone Friesen (Bass/harmonica/ background vocals), and Isaiah Stonehouse (drums/background vocals) – were chosen from among the episode’s featured artists to record the new original single “Wide Awake.” The series’ third single was released to radio stations across the country immediately following tonight’s broadcast, and is also now available to buy and stream everywhere, including iHeartRadio, Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, and Google Play. Listen to it below.
With a “Summer of Love” look and sound resonant of a bygone rock’n’roll era, the charismatic trio of teenaged old souls wowed the mentors with their fresh, stadium rock sound flawlessly combining the backbeat of Isaiah’s pulsating drums, Keone’s grooving bass lines, and Mitchell’s shredding guitar and explosive frontman vocals. Applauded for their simultaneously “loose and tight” sound by rock icon and founding member of legendary rock band Mötley Crüe – Nikki Sixx, mentors Dann Huff (the producer behind more than 50 #1 hit records), record mogul Scott Borchetta, and Sixx chose to launch The Static Shift’s music career with their rock version of “Wide Awake,” written by Nathan Barlowe & Bonnie Baker.
The series’ chosen artists and songs to date – Logan Staats “The Lucky Ones” and Elijah Woods x Jamie Fine’s “Ain’t Easy”, both hit #1 on iTunes following the broadcast of episodes in which the aspiring artists were featured.
“We’re good at being authentic…we want to be exactly who we are when we’re playing music,” said The Static Shift. “There is a rock revival coming and we are really excited to be a part of it. It’s such an honour to be recognized by rock royalty like Nikki Sixx, killer guitarist and producer Dann Huff, and of course Scott Borchetta. We are beyond proud to put our stamp on ‘Wide Awake’ and hope music fans give what we are doing as artists a chance!”
“The Static Shift completely blew my mind,” said Scott Borchetta. “I am always on the hunt for uniquely talented artists and musicians that have a special chemistry and that’s exactly what they have. This is a band that has a world stage and they’re uniquely positioned at the dawn of a new Rock Revolution.”
Following an intense audition process before the celebrity mentors, aspiring – and coincidentally both Calgarian – artists The Static Shift and Amy Bishop emerged as the two breakthrough artists chosen to perform and make the original song “Wide Awake” their own.
After a nerve-wracking 48 hours in studio rehearsals, recordings, and working closely with the episode’s celebrity mentors, the final artists took the stage in front of a live studio audience to perform their unique interpretations of “Wide Awake”.
Two, uniquely tailored renditions of the song resulted in dazzling performances by both aspiring artists, but following intense deliberations, The Static Shift were ultimately chosen for the opportunity of a lifetime – to have their raw, alt-rock version of the song “Wide Awake” launched across Canada and to the world via THE LAUNCH’s expansive slate of top music partners.
Following the song launch, Bell Media is poised to throw the full weight of its marketing, promotional, and publicity support behind The Static Shift’s “Wide Awake” across its national footprint of broadcast and digital entertainment properties.
The Rolling Stones In Concert Back In 1964…For 4 Songs Before The Riots Took Over
The next time your parents or grandparents complain about your bad attitude or undying love towards that Hollywood or music star, show them the way they acted back in the day. Here are The Rolling Stones in 1964 performing just four songs, before leaving the stage due to riots.
https://youtu.be/xX7s_px1ED4
Watch Forrest Gump’s Test Scenes
Run, run, and then watch these test scenes from the classic film Forrest Gump. In 2011, the Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. John Travolta was the original choice to play the title role, and admits passing on the role was a mistake. Bill Murray and Chevy Chase were also considered for the role. Sean Penn stated in an interview having been second choice for the role. Tom Hanks revealed that he signed onto the film after an hour and a half of reading the script. He initially wanted to ease Forrest’s pronounced Southern accent, but was eventually persuaded by director Robert Zemeckis to portray the heavy accent stressed in the novel. Hanks agreed to take the role only on the condition that the film be historically accurate.
“The Legend of Bo Diddley” Featuring Studio Footage And Interviews Is A Great Watch
You need more Bo Diddley in your life. Who is Bo? Well, let him tell you through his album titles.
Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger
Bo Diddley Is a Lover
Bo Diddley’s a Twister
He’s a Black Gladiator
The Originator
500% More Man
A Man Amongst Men
Big Bad Bo
…and a Living Legend
Here is the 20 minute documentary from 1966, directed by Gary Sherman.
https://youtu.be/gLOy2rkksJk