Rockphiles Blog

GOING AFTER THE BAD GUYS

Eliot Spitzer, the Attorney General of the State of New York, is on his way to becoming a bit of a household word these days.  With a stellar resume, and a recent background of fighting organized crime (during his tenure with the Manhattan DA's office he was responsible for dismantling the Gambino family's stranglehold on the trucking industry), Mr. Spitzer has now turned his gaze on improprieties in the recording industry. 

Currently, he is taking a very dim view of the continued finagling of Sony, who apparently were very lax in the recall of copy-protected CDs containing spyware. Spitzer's office was able to purchase the CDs in New York retail outlets, including Walmart, Best Buy and Sam Goody,  days after the alleged recall. 

Once again, if you have purchased any of these copy-protected CDs from the Sony catalog, DO NOT PLAY THEM IN YOUR COMPUTER!   Return them to the place of purchase for a refund. 

The Texas AG is also less than impressed.  Something nasty is planned for Sony by his office.

Please read this article for more information and how this outrage might affect you.   And this just in, which indicates that Sony knew about this spyware situation as far back as the end of September. 

In closing, you might enjoy this little communique from an idiot who accidentally sent it to a high-profile entertainment lawyer, who happily shared it with his entire mailing list.  I also hope he scooted it straight to Mr. Spitzer for review!

"Hello --- hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving!  This is Richard S, owner of (name of company removed) Company in New York.  Nice to meet you, if we haven't met by e-mail or by phone by now! We have a great opportunity that I want to immediately address with you.

We have been approached by a few major labels to suddenly handle their video request campaigns for some top priority artists.   Video requests mean making calls to request videos for major video shows like TRL (Total Request Live on MTV) and "106 & Park" (on BET).

This is a TERRIFIC opportunity --- but it means that we suddenly have to EXPAND the size of our request teams in a very short period of time!   So we are on a mission to immediately find new and reliable people on our national staff to help us with these campaigns --- and I'm hoping you can be one of those who can jump on board and help!

The video request work is pretty easy and regular.  It takes up 20 minutes/day of your time on weekdays and about 10 minutes/day on weekends.Total of 2 hours work a week.  You get paid $30.00/week.  All it involves is calling up a toll-free number (like 1-800-dialMTV) at your convenience during the day (you just plug in numbers on your phone, no talking to a person) and also going on-line (at your convenience, any time of day/night) and making some on-line requests.  For the phones, you can use a land line or cell phone, doesn't matter

SO --- please, as soon as you can, e-mail back with a response --- whether you are interested in helping us with our new video request campaigns.  One, you can put another $2000 in your pocket each year without taking up much time at all!   Two, you will be helping ----- Company in our goal to break new artists for our most important clients!

If you are interested, just e-mail back to (email address removed to protect Mr. S, though God knows he doesn't deserve it) a YES, you are interested or a NO, you are not interested at this time.  If you do respond with a YES, we will immediately get back to you and give you more
details so you have good understanding of what the job entails.

A "YES" doesn't commit you to anything other than interest. Thanks.  I look forward to hearing from you ASAP!

Best regards,
Richard S"

Grand Jury anyone?

TWO WEDDINGS AND THE RRHOF

So, what's going on this week so far? 

  Well, Rod's had his sixth with his fourth, (child and (future) wife, that is) at 60.  The newest Stewart, a boy, was born on Sunday.  Rod and new Mum, Penny Lancaster, will marry at his Florida home on December 5, when his divorce from Rachel Hunter becomes final. Congrats, Rodders and Pen! 

Elton is getting married to his long-time partner, Canadian film producer David Furnish, on December 21.  The British ceremony is to be simple and private for family members only, but intrepid EJ has promised a big bash after for his numerous friends.  Elton recently told the Daily Express, "I think I would like Lulu as my maid of honour and Victoria Beckham as my best man!"

Rant on the Rock 'n' Roll of Fame inductees - this whole thing is becoming a joke.  Miles Davis?  He'd have a fit.  He's not rock 'n' roll.  Blondie?  The Sex Pistols?  These two barely paid their dues, and were mostly creations of managers and producers.  Lynyrd Skynyrd certainly qualify, after years of hard slogging on the road, playing their own brand of Southern rock to appreciative fans and continuing to keep the faith in the face of enormous odds.  But as the qualifications now go back to bands who began in the early 80s, what are we going to get from here on out?  I shudder to think.  Any thoughts, anyone?  Here's the link to the RRHOF.

PHOTOS!

Tom Hanks, Steve Martin and Eric Idle at the Earth To America show from Vegas on November 17. Steve Martin is an accomplished five-string banjo player.

Rob Thomas in rehearsal for the AMAs.

Carlos Santana and Henry Garza of Los Lonely Boys, AMA rehearsal.

Steve Tyler in concert in Ottawa last week.

BRAGGIN' ON THE HOME TEAM

David Goldberg, EVP, Strategy and Business Development for Ticketmaster, presents an award for 12 sold-out shows at the Anaheim Pond and the Staples Center to Eagles' band members Timothy B. Schmit, Don Henley and Joe Walsh.

The Eagles, L.A.'s own long-running hit machine, who still hold the record for the biggest selling album of all time with their Greatest Hits 1971-1975, recently broke another record for box-office sell-outs in the Los Angeles area on their "Hotel California" tour, winding down December 6 on Maui.  Here's the numbers:

Six shows at the Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim sold capacity every night (74,134) and grossed $8,323,628.75.  The shows were September 14, 16, 17, October 7, 21, and November 17.

An additional six shows at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, also sold capacity every night (77,373) and pulled $9,157,185.00 for dates in September 21, 23, 24, October 8, 22, and November 14. 

Ticket prices: $175, $85, $45 and $25.00.

Neil Diamond held the previous record of eight shows.

BLACK T-SHIRT FOR BLACK FRIDAY!

Just in time for the oddly-named Black Friday, Rockphiles is pleased to offer this really cool Black T-shirt for your consideration!  We just got it designed today.  Here's the link to our store - there a few more items as well, a clock (so you can rock around it), mouse-pad, license plate surround, a couple more shirts, etc.     Hope you find something you like.  It all helps to support the Rockphiles site!

There's this one too. 

Here's the logo, that you can't really see too well on the shirts.

WELCOME TO THE MORRISON HOTEL.

The Morrison Hotel Gallery, who have exclusive rights to the awesome photos of my old friend Henry Diltz, have opened a new location in La Jolla, California (there's one in New York, too.)  Here's a few of Henry's photos (click on the thumbnails) - you should really visit the site, though, and have a look at his work.  There's tons of great stuff. Henry's been documenting rock music since the late 60s.   Here's a story from All About Surf.

Jackson Browne circa 1971.

Eagles.  Peyote. 1971.  Evidence.

Morrison.

Seger.  I LOVE this photo.

ALL ABOUT TYLER

Tyler Hilton, a Palm Springs-based musician, recently showed up for an audition for back-up players for "Walk The Line."  As requested, he played a Johnny Cash song, and was then asked by the producers if he knew any Elvis songs - Tyler obliged with Elvis' first recording, "That's Alright, Mama."  Much to his surprise, he was offered the part of a young Elvis Presley in the movie, and since then life has been interesting, to say the least!

Tyler recently did an interview with his local paper, The Desert Sun, where he talks about the movie and other stuff that's been happening, including his visit to Graceland.   My guess is we'll be hearing a lot more about Tyler Hilton in the coming days!   

THE LONG ROAD HOME CHARTS AT NO. 13

Happy to report that this one slammed onto the charts this week at No. 13.

John Fogerty has been enjoying a great career comeback this last year or so, more than making up for the longest sulk in rock history, wrangling with his former label, Fantasy Records through the 70s, specifically targeting label chief, Saul Zaentz, and even going so far as to write and record an insulting song, "Zaentz Can't Dance." 

Happily, the sulk is finally over, and John is home at Fantasy again. The end result is a greatest hits collection - The Long Road Home. If you like Credence and John Fogerty, you'll like this one.

John holds forth on the reunion with his old label here.

MORE PHOTOS

A couple of photos from recent events in New York.

Bette Midler and Elton John at Bette's Hulaween Party in New York on October 31.

Finally found a good one of Garth's return performance from Times Square on November 15.  He performed his new single, "Good Ride, Cowboy," which he wrote in memory of his friend, former rodeo star and country singer, Chris Le Doux. 

THE FIRST MRS. CASH

Found this really great photo of Vivian Cash and Johnny on their daughter Rosanne's website.   Rosanne has a new album coming out next January.  I've always really liked her work, and she's got some great stuff to check out over at her site - Mrs. L's Column is definitely worth a visit.  She's living in New York these days, and sounds like she's doing just great.