11.30.2011

DETROIT THEN AND NOW....










DETROIT MAFIA: GIOVANNI VITALE


Giovanni "John" Vitale (1869-1920) was a boss of the Detroit Crime Family.


Burial:
Mount Olivet Cemetery
Detroit
Wayne County
Michigan, USA
Plot: Section: 53, Tier: 7, Grave Lot: 168

Best recognized as the leader of one of two factions which battled mercilessly for control of Detroit's underworld just after the advent of prohibition, John Vitale's career actually began more than a decade before the outbreak of the bloodiest chapter in the history of the motor city mafia.

Vitale entered the liquor business during the first decade of the 20th century as a partner of Sam Cipriano, Joseph Stefano and a trio of grocer brothers from Wyandotte by the name of Gianolla. The newly formed liquor combine soon found itself competing with the most powerful Italian criminal combine in the Detroit area headed by Salvatore and Vito Adamo.



Vitale and his partners became the prime competitors for the Adamo's who in an effort to maintain a distinct advantage over the upstart liquor dealers began giving away free ice with deliveries of their beer and other alcoholic beverages. Unable "at the time," to compete with the deep pockets of the Adamos, Tony and Sam Gianolla devised a plan to rid themselves of the only thing standing between them and total dominance of not only the liquor market but all other criminal fields in the Italian colony of Detroit.

While the Adamo and Gianolla brothers fought an old world feud, Vitale, Cipriano and Stefano continued to conduct their business from a store on Rivard and Congress streets. With the elimination of the Adamo brothers and the ascent of Sam and Tony Gianolla to the top of the Italian criminal community, John Vitale concentrated on building a fortune for his lucrative and expanding liquor business. Read More on Mafia Wiki


Giovanni Vitale was a former Organized Crime figure and once a boss of one of Detroit's first Mafia families. He was born in Cisini, Sicily on Saturday June the 24th 1876. In 1903 he emigrated to Detroit USA, then four years later he returned to Sicily and afterwards back to Detroit permanently in 1910. He was best recognized as the leader of one two factions which battled mercilessly for control of the criminal underworld of Detroit just after the introduction of Prohibition.

His career actually started more than a decade before the outbreak of what would be known as the bloodiest chapter in the history of the Mafia in Detroit. He entered the liquor business during the first decade of the first century as a partner of Salvatore (Sam) Cipriano; Joseph Stefano and a three brothers by the name of Giannola.

The newly formed liquor combine soon found itself competing with the most powerful Italian organized crime faction in Detroit, under the control of Salvatore and Vito Adamo. Vitale and his partners were the prime competitors to the Adamos, who in an effort to maintain a distinct advantage over their liquor business started giving away free ice with all deliveries of their own beer and other alcoholic drinks, but were still unable at that time to compete with the deep pockets of the Adamos So Antonino and

Salvatore Giannola devised a plan to do away with the Adamos as they were standing between them and total dominance of not only the liquor market but also other rackets in the Italian section of Detroit. Whilst the Giannolas and the Adamos fought a long feud, Giovanni Vitale, Salvatore Cipriano, and Giuseppe (Joseph) Stefano* continued to conduct their business from a store on Rivard and Congress Streets, Detroit.

Eventually the Adamo brothers were eliminated and Vitale Cipriano and Stefano ascended to the apex of the Italian organized crime community. Giovanni concentrated all his efforts on building a vast fortune for his lucrative and fast expanding liquor business. After a certain time the Giannolas started to grow in power and Vitale was counted upon as one of their most important lieutenants.

The partnership between them was to continue for a short time, but this was soon changed when a business dispute between the Giannolas and Pietro Bosco ended with Bosco's death, at the hand of Giannola gunmen. This murder sparked ill feelings between Vitale and the Giannola brothers and eventually triggered off the Giannola/Vitale Gang War.

Read More on RK

Detroit: The Violent Years
Detroit Mafia: Anthony Zerilli
Detroit Bootlegging: Wyandotte Connection

SCOTT BATEY NAMED A TOP LAWYER IN METRO DETROIT!

Scott Batey

My friend and guest rock music writer Attorney Scott Batey has been named one of the top attorneys in Metro Detroit for Labor and Employment Law, Personal Injury and Automobile Accidents.



Top Lawyers 2012

For their list, DBusiness magazine polled more than 21,000 attorneys in Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Washtenaw, and Livingston counties among 51 specialized practice areas. The lawyers were asked to nominate up to three attorneys in a given area of law.

If you need expert legal advice please call 248-540-6800/email SBATEY@BATEYLAW.COM

Scott Batey
30200 Telegraph Road
Suite 400
Bingham Farms, MI
248-540-6800


DETROIT JACK'S DOGGY DAYS DVD SET


Doggy Days DVD set

My pal Detroit Jack just sent me a copy of his much anticipated film/DVD set " Doggy Days Live LA to Tokyo... Features video of my friends The DoGs playing live. I watched the entire DVD and LOVED it!



Originally arising out of the Detroit rock revolution that erupted with THE STOOGES and MC5, then migrating to LA in the late 70's, THE DOGS have influenced punk while treading right along with the scene. During the 70's they opened for punk and hard rock notables including MC5, TELEVISION, THE DICTATORS, KISS and AC/DC!

THE DOGS have continued to play shows throughout the decades, even releasing new material on the Dionysus label in 2003. Most recently the band has been celebrated with an international tribute album and a new DVD set produced by Detroit Jack.

Members:
Loren Molinare - Guitar, Vocals
Mary Kay- Bass, Vocals
Tony Matteucci - Drums

From Detroit Jack

The day has finally arrived for all you fans of The Dogs!! This Lansing/Detroit band is celebrating it's 40th Anniversary of kickin' out the jams Doggy Style with the release of this DVD x 2 disc set. 5 hours of footage/interview/poster & photo history, liner notes by Wayne Kramer and Jeff Dahl, and much much more!

If you are unfamiliar with The Dogs, then you're in for a lucky Detroit rock surprise!! I have a FAN page for The Dogs that you can find on my WALL. There is a complete Wiki history of The Dogs there.

You can order your copy of "Doggy Days . . . The Dogs Live L.A. To Tokyo" DVD x 2 disc set from Pacifiction. It's a secure online site for Paypal in U.S. dollars. Thanks to all the Dogs fan, and stay tuned next year for a new Dogs release, and possible Japan tour!


Liner Notes by Wayne Kramer of the MC5

Get your copy of Detroit Jack's Doggy Days DVD

Doggy Style CD

Future Now Records

Detroit Jack's Blog (created by Kimmer)

MIKE McCOURT MEMORIAL CONCERT


Hey Everybody,
Our friend and fellow musician, music store owner Mike McCourt lost his battle with cancer this year and we all said when the time was right we'd get together to celebrate his life the only way we know how.

So, we're getting together at Callahan's with Stewart Franke, Honky Dory, Funhouse, Tea Bag and of course, my band SEE Dick RUN to raise a little dough for Mike's wife and kids just before the holidays.

See You There.
Jim Edwards

VIDEO PICKS FROM LOREN DoG OF THE DoGs!


Loren Tony and Mary (ThE DoGs) photo Heather Harris

THE DOGS

Originally arising out of the Detroit rock revolution that erupted with THE STOOGES and MC5, then migrating to LA in the late 70's, THE DOGS have influenced punk while treading right along with the scene. During the 70's they opened for punk and hard rock notables including MC5, TELEVISION, THE DICTATORS, KISS and AC/DC!

THE DOGS have continued to play shows throughout the decades, even releasing new material on the Dionysus label in 2003. Most recently the band has been celebrated with an international tribute album with bands culled by Detroit Jack.

Members:
Loren Molinare - Guitar, Vocals
Mary Kay- Bass, Vocals
Tony Matteucci - Drums

From Loren Molinare:

Hi Kim,

Thanks for thinking of me to pick some videos. This was fun . I will check in with you from the UK...

1. MC-5 Looking at You

Always loved this song from the Back in the USA LP and this performance backs up what I felt and heard back in 1970 and made me believe in the power in rock and roll from this earth-shattering band.



2. Smokey Robinson and the Miracles- You really got a hold on Me

This song holds a special place in my heart, one of the Motown classics, even though The Beatles version is really cool. The Miracles version reminds of my 7th grade crush on a girl named Diane who broke my heart.



3. The Kinks-Till the end of the Day!

Ah yes to be in 8th grade again and living in Michigan and looking out the window daydreaming about Ray Davies and the Kinks and wanting to go to the UK. The Kinks more than the Beatles made me want to pick up and guitar and rebel against my parents.

Ray Davies is one of the most profile and timeless writers from the mid 60’s British invasion.



Let it rock
Loren

11.29.2011

MICHAEL JACKSON DOCTOR GOING TO JAIL


Michael Jackson

Convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson, Dr. Conrad Murray was sentenced to four years imprisonment. Doubtful if he spends 2 years... It is hard to believe this "doctor" got such a slap on the wrist...

JAMBANG: CONNECTING


Physical copies available, email Matthew.paneth@gmail.com

JAMBANG, the audio/visual experience that is the latest project in the Greg Ginn catalog of sound, offers listeners a hybrid of electronic and organic instrumentation. This latest great features Ginn on guitar and manning the electronic sections, Bobby Bancalari (mandolin), Steve DeLollis (drums), and is joined by A/V artist Joey Keeton.

Their debut release, CONNECTING, is the result of blending musicians and artists of varying genres and influences, united only by the common thread of their love of jambands and improvisation.

11.25.2011

DENIZ TEK: NEW RADIO BIRDMAN LOGO ART TILES


Deniz Tek painting RB logo tiles

Porcelain tiles individually hand painted and signed by the Legendary Guitarist Deniz Tek of the Radio Birdman logo he designed in the mid-70s.

The tiles are 10x10cm ... $30 each + shipping ( US or Australian ) available directly from Deniz via hiwatt01@gmail.com.


The paint is enamel glaze, quite hard, so they can be used as coasters! So, Christmas special: 4 tiles for $100.


Shown for the first time at Deniz's art opening at the Hand of Law Gallery in Sydney on Nov.5th, they sold like hot cakes! Retro: Kimmer's Tile is en route as we type!!! can't wait to see it!

Photos by Anne Laurent

11.24.2011

FREEING JOHN SINCLAIR: ANN ARBOR LIBRARY CELEBRATION


Just got new info on the upcoming events for the Ann Arbor District Library for December 2011. Come out and meet John Sinclair and lots of other folks from this time frame. I will be at the Ark to see John's band and Commander Cody... Come on out to Ann Arbor!


Freeing John Sinclair Ann Arbor Library site

SCOTT MORGAN AND THE RATIONALS: ANN ARBOR NEWS 1966



Bill Figg, Scott Morgan, Steve Correll, Terry Trabandt

Scott Morgan's Story on the Rationals Van...
yeah kim. here is the story. our manager jeep holland was the world's worst driver. we thought we would die at any second. one day i demanded that he pull over now! he was taking my brother david's band to lansing. you need to remember david was my little brother. he's the guy i used to hold his hand and walk him across the street. not so little any more.

jeep passed someone on the freeway and promptly lost control. he rolled the van three times and threw himself, david, and all their gear onto the the side of the road. i don't know how but they both survived.

11.22.2011

EARLY BEATLES DOCUMENTARY PARTS 1-3

The Early Beatles

The Early Beatles Album
(One of my very favorite) was released:

March 22, 1965

Side 1
Love Me Do
Twist And Shout
Anna (Go To Him)
Chains
Boys
Ask Me Why

Side 2
Please Please Me
P.S. I Love You
Baby, It's You
A Taste Of Honey
Do You Want To Know A Secret

Here is a 3 part documentary on the Early Beatles that I found entertaining so I thought my readers would enjoy them too...







THE JFK ASSASSINATION: 48 YEARS AGO TODAY



It has been 48 years since President John F Kennedy was killed. I was in the second grade. My school was just a 3 room school house. The principal came room to room and the lead us to our school buses. We had 1 hour before school was over so we were happy to leave early. We had no idea why we were being sent home.... Will never forget that day.

I found an article that is very good about the JFK Assassination and on this 48th anniversary of that horrific day... I think this author's insight is pretty good. RK


LBJ being swore in with Jackie in her blood stained suit

The Kennedy
Assassination
By John McAdams
© 1995-2010


**"He didn't even have the satisfaction of being killed for civil rights . . . . It's — it had to be some silly little Communist." — Jackie Kennedy, on hearing that a leftist had been arrested for her husband's murder.**


It's the most controversial case in modern American history. Did Lee Harvey Oswald kill John Kennedy by himself, or did a conspiracy do it? And if a conspiracy did it, did the conspiracy include Oswald?

If you are like most Americans, you believe that a conspiracy killed Kennedy. And if you are like most Americans, you have heard a vast number of bogus factoids about the case.

This web site is dedicated to debunking the mass of misinformation and disinformation surrounding the murder of JFK. If you are believer in Oswald as a lone gunman, you are likely to enjoy this web site, since most of that misinformation and disinformation has come from conspiracists. But if you are a sophisticated conspiracist, you likely understand that the mass of silly nonsense in conspiracy books and documentaries does no service to the cause of truth in the assassination, and simply buries the "case for conspiracy" under layers of bunk.

Regardless of what you believe, several web sites, mostly conspiracy-oriented are worth checking out. And you may also want to check out my list of recommended books on the assassination.

What sort of evidence is there?

11.21.2011

HEATHER HARRIS: NIAGARA DESTROY ALL MONSTERS RETROSPECTIVE

Guest Post by Photographer Heather Harris: Read Her Story Here



See Story Featuring DAM DRUMMER ROB KING...

From November 19, 2011 through Jan. 7, 2011, Prism Gallery presents RETURN OF THE REPRESSED: DESTROY ALL MONSTERS presents a retrospective of Destroy All Monsters, the art collective who became the beloved Detroit band (which also boasted Ron Asheton of The Stooges and Mike Davis of the MC5.)

Niagara

The 1973-77 art work of Niagara, Jim Shaw, Cary Loren and Mike Kelley is featured in a show curated by the latter and Dan Nadel, with hundreds of fascinating offerings influenced by Japanese monster films, dada assemblage, xerography and pop art which in turn influenced the oncoming onslaught of punk rock graphics.


The ever intriguing and beautiful Niagara seemed especially ebullient at the well-attended art opening on the 19th,seen here photographed by Heather Harris who commented, "Jack Black was there but I was enjoying the show too much to go headhunting."


Read More on RK

Destroy All Monsters Featuring Guest Writer Niagara Detroit
Detroit's Killer Artist: Niagara Detroit
Niagara on Tour with The Hitmen



Biography on the Miller twins with DAM


DESTROY ALL MONSTERS as the Miller Brothers experienced it was an odd merging of two local Ann Arbor bands. In the spring of 1977, original founders of DAM, Cary Loren and Niagara, began dropping in on EMPOOL rehearsals and request we work on their own songs -- garage punk.

NOTE: EMPOOL was a psychedelic free improvisation band I lead. Eventually this imposition took hold and a loose knit hybrid group began to form. My use of various FX pedals gave me the slightly embarrassing tag as"space guitar", which soon developed into straight-ahead rhythm guitar as Cary left the group -- having left due to personal differences -- in summer 1977.

Ben’s free-form alto sax playing, also run thru various electronics, became more traditional as well. By the time Cary left, both Michael Davis and Ron Asheton had joined the band, honing a heavier metal-punk sound. We began opening up for the likes of Pere Ubu, The Ramones, and Devo to name a few.


Essentially it was one big party. In fact, the difference between a rehearsal and a party was marginal. Due to creative differences, Ben and I chose to leave the band shortly after completing DAM's second single in October 1978.

There were two other songs recorded during that last session, ones both Ben and I penned, which remain in “the can” to this day. BROKEN MIRRORS and TAKEN FOR GRANITE. Ben and I were asked back into the band in 1983 for two reunion shows with the group at Second Chance, in Ann Arbor. It didn't stick for us, and that was it. Laurence Miller

11.20.2011

DETROIT RUMRUNNERS AND THE MOB


RK at one of the Wyandotte Cemeterys

Wyandotte, MI holds the Guinness World Record for having the most speakeasys/bars/taverns and churches thus bringing in many theatrical characters as the Three Stooges and The Marx Brothers. The Wyandotte Theater is the venue where they came to perform back in the day.


Wyandotte Theater


Metal Sculpture of the Crucifix

There is a cemetery in Wyandotte that is known to have members of the Purple Gang and assorted victims of the prohibition era buried there. Took a little trip to see this cemetery today and we found it difficult to navigate with the map we had from the local Museum... So I shot photos of things that we found interesting..


The Marx family owned the big brewery in town and were innovative enough to conceive (curved) oval glass for bay windows as well as commercial buildings.

The Gianolla-Adamo War

Between 1912-13, the Gianolla brothers took over the Wyandotte area rackets gang starting a feud with Wyandotte Mafia boss Vito Adamo. The Gianolla brothers felt they had secured victory in Wyandotte after a series of attacks on the Adamo gang, which left several Adamo gang members dead. Adamo took refuge in Detroit and aligned himself with Mafia leader Pietro Mirabile, while the Gianolla's set their sites on the Little Italy rackets, mainly the illicit beer trade.


The Adamo's had deep pockets and were able to fend off the Gianolla's first attempts to take over the beer rackets by giving away free ice with their deliveries. Next the Adamo gang retaliated leaving two Gianolla gang members William Catalano and John Jervaso dead in April 1913.

These killings were followed by a string of killings and arrests of both sides. Even with the involvement of the authorities the feud continued as the main objective of the Gianolla brothers was the elimination of the Adamo brothers.


The beatings, stabbings and shootings stopped temporarily when Vito Adamo and two associates were put on trial for the August 1913 murder of Tony Gianolla's top aide Carlo Callego. Shortly thereafter an attempt was made on the life of Tony Gianolla himself.

More than likely the attempt on Tony Gianolla's life demonstrated the urgency the Gianolla's felt in regards to the elimination of the Adamo brothers. In the latter part of 1913 the Gianolla's struck indirectly at the Adamo's with the elimination of their associate and adviser Ferdinand Palma, a former Detroit detective turned bank owner and racketeer. The era of the Adamo brothers ended in November 1913 when both Vito, 34 and Sam Adamo, 32, were gunned down by shooters near their home.


The Gianolla gang would now reign supreme for roughly the next 4–5 years as the dominant Italian crime group in Detroit. The Gianolla gang controlled the most lucrative rackets within Detroit's Italian underworld and the gang would spawn the career of some of the most notable crime figures in Detroit history.


Top members of the gang who would go on to lead the Detroit Mafia and rule the local underworld included John Vitale, Salvatore Catalanotte, Angelo Meli, William Tocco, Joseph Zerilli, Leonardo "Black Leo" Cellura, Joseph Zerilli, Angelo Polizzi and a host of other well known area mafiosi. Tony Gianolla remained the top leader of the gang running his operations from his base in Wyandotte. Over the years his younger brother Sam had secured his reputation as a tough enforcer who led a group of killers, while Gaetano remained the adviser of the group.



An excerpt for The Purples Book:

CHAPTER ONE

“So how did it start,” they all want to know. Then, before you can answer: “Didn’t it all start at the Cream of Michigan? On that night when the ghost of Joe Bernstein walked into the diner?”



As a matter of fact, no. If you want the truth, it started four years earlier, during the Palmer Raids. Of course, people don’t want to hear about things they’d rather forget. What they want is a ghost yarn or a gangster tale, and if they can get both at the same time, even better.

So they always start with that night at the diner—the night I strolled, big as life, through the front door of “the Crime,” as it was known back then. It was quite a moment, I’ll admit: The place was filled with forty of the mouthiest guys you’d ever want to meet, yet they all went dead quiet soon as I entered. Art Goldman actually let out a tiny squeak, like a mouse. He told me later that the moment he saw me, he pictured being eaten alive and that caused the squeak.

The amazing thing was that nobody reached for anything. The only motion came from a guy named Meltzer, who had been constructing an igloo out of sugar cubes on one of the tabletops (yes, this is the kind of productive work that was done back then). When he saw me, Meltzer’s hands went limp and crashed down on his igloo, spilling cubes onto the floor.


Canadian inspectors wait at the Windsor liquor docks in 1928. The Eastside Mob operated a lucrative rum-running operation on the Detroit River during Prohibition.


Presiding over this shaky peace arrangement was a Giannola gunman named Salvatore "Sam" Catalonotte. Catalonotte was one of the few men who was both respected and well liked among the competing Mafia groups. His charismatic personality and diplomatic ability enabled Catalonotte to emerge from the Giannola/Vitale gang war as the supreme leader of the Detroit Mafia.

Catalonotte pushed for peaceful solutions to underworld disputes. As a result of his policies, the Mafia gangs prospered during the '20s, and for ten years there was relative peace in Detroit's Sicilian underworld.

The survivors of the Giannola/Vitale conflict evolved into two organizations after 1920. These gangs were known as the Eastside and Westside Mobs. The Eastsiders operated predominantly on the upper Detroit River east of the city. This group was led by Angelo Meli, William "Black Bill" Tocco, Leo "Black Leo" Cellura, and Joseph Zerilli. The Westside Mob, sometimes referred to as the Catalonotte Gang, was led by a treacherous mobster named Chester LaMare. LaMare was known as the Vice King of Hamtramck.

11.19.2011

NATALIE WOOD: LOS ANGELES POLICE REOPEN HER DEATH INQUIRY!



Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood

What a shocker!!!! LA police are reopening the death inquiry of actress Natalie Wood. Natalie disappeared off her boat and was found drowned off the coast of Catalina Island.. The boat captain has come foward after these many years since Thanksgiving of 1981... It appears the finger is now pointing at Robert Wagner! OMG




US police have reopened an inquiry into the mysterious death of film star Natalie Wood, who drowned in 1981. Police in Los Angeles say they have received new information relating to the case, but have not given details.



Wood was found dead during a boat trip off the coast of California with her husband, TV star Robert Wagner, and actor Christopher Walken. At the time her death was ruled to have been an accident, but questions have lingered.

11.17.2011

THE BEATLES: YOU CAN'T DO THAT AND MY OTHER FAVORITES


The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon (rhythm guitar, vocals), Paul McCartney (bass guitar, vocals), George Harrison (lead guitar, vocals) and Ringo Starr (drums, vocals).

You Can't Do That..


Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, the group later worked in many genres ranging from pop ballads to psychedelic rock, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. The nature of their enormous popularity, which first emerged as "Beatlemania", transformed as their songwriting grew in sophistication. They came to be perceived as the embodiment of ideals of the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s.

I'll Cry Instead


Initially a five-piece line-up of Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe (bass) and Pete Best (drums), they built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over a three-year period from 1960. Sutcliffe left the group in 1961, and Best was replaced by Starr the following year.

Run for Your Life


Molded into a professional outfit by their manager, Brian Epstein, their musical potential was enhanced by the creativity of producer George Martin. They achieved mainstream success in the United Kingdom in late 1962, with their first single, "Love Me Do". Gaining international popularity and acquiring the nickname "Fab Four" the following year, they toured extensively until 1966. During their subsequent "studio years", they produced what critics consider some of their finest material including the album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), widely regarded as a masterpiece.

Ask Me Why...


After their break-up in 1970, the band members all found success in independent musical careers. Lennon was murdered outside his home in New York City in 1980, and Harrison died of cancer in 2001. McCartney and Starr remain active.

Tell Me Why


The Beatles are the best-selling band in history

And Your Bird Can Sing


WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PATSY CLINE TUNE?

Travis Small on Deviant Art

This morning I popped up a Patsy Cline song on my I tunes that I love... "Leavin on Your Mind"



I posted this video on Facebook and a lot of people wrote in their Patsy favorites... So I thought I would share a couple of their choices too.

Phyllis S. I love her . . . my favorite song of her's is "She's
Got You".



11.15.2011

JFK, JUDITH EXNER, AND SAM GIANCANA


Frank Sinatra and John F. Kennedy

The rumored affair between President John F. Kennedy and Judith Campbell-Exner was revealed to the press around 1975.

JFK, Judith Campbell & Sam Giancana story // Daily Mail, September, 20, 1976

It was possible that the Republicans released Judith's name and information to discredit the assassinated president.



According to legend Frank Sinatra introduced Judith to JFK and also to Chicago Mob Boss Sam Giancana.
Supposedly Judith carried messages back and forth between the President and the mob. The reputed connection between JFK's father Joseph Kennedy and Giancana left the President in a really tight spot.


Judith Campbell-Exner

J. Edgar Hoover had Judith tailed to obtain information with which to black mail the Kennedys. In 1977 Judith wrote her autobiography as her name was revealed to the press anyway. It was amazing how the American public had no idea about this affair for over a decade. Now days there is no keeping things under wraps... Everything is public...


Exner has been treated unfairly by history. She never sought to capitalize off the fact that she was JFK's mistress. She kept this hidden for years. Jackie knew about her, of course. Once, when Jackie found a woman's pink panties in her pillow case, she turned to JFK in bed and said, "Would you find out who these belong to, because they are not my size?"

Although JFK was assassinated in 1963, it was not until 1975 that the identity of Exner was revealed. This happened when the Church Committee investigated the link which Exner formed between JFK and Sinatra's friends, including Mafia don Sam Giancana. Author Sam Sloane

THE ROLLING STONES US TV DEBUT


The Rolling Stones 1964

The Rolling Stones made their US TV debut on  on tv show Hullabaloo, performing ‘Get Off Of My Cloud’. We remember this show totally! We were dancing around my room doing the "Off my Cloud" dance...What a gas!! DVD of Hullabaloo broadcast.

Hullabaloo was an American musical variety series that ran on NBC from January 12, 1965 through August 29, 1966. Similar to Shindig! it ran in prime time in contrast to ABC's American Bandstand.



Many of the programs in the series were videotaped at NBC Studios in Burbank, California. Others were taped in New York City at NBC's Studio 8H (built for Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra and which would later house Saturday Night Live), and in NBC's studio in the Midwood section of Brooklyn.

Much of the series' color videotaped footage was later dubbed over to kinescope on film - as such copied in black and white. Only three half-hour episodes are known to exist in their original videotaped form.

CAN'T GET USED TO LOSING YOU.....


"Can't Get Used to Losing You" is such a great song... As a kid my Mom loved Andy Williams and his TV show. It was one TV show that I enjoyed watching although it wasn't rock n roll... I still love Andy's voice solo or with his brothers. Andy's Christmas specials were just the best... But this song is my favorite of Andy...



A couple of years ago the English Beat asked me to cover their show at The Magic Bag in Ferndale. Stanley T. Madhatter and I ran out to meet Dave Wakeling and see the show. When I got there I was told I couldn't film the band playing. So, as we approached the back door of the Bag, we ran right into Dave.

So I asked him to sit for a few short questions... Dave was fantastic and I was pretty much a video newbie... Watch the arm coming through the window handing Dave a cup of coffee... Yep it's the Madhatter!

One of the questions I did ask him though is how did the Beat decide to cover "Can't Get Used to Losing You". Dave told me he did it for his Dad. It is a fantastic cover!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETULA CLARK!


Petula Clark Official Site

One of the very best vocalists of the 1960's was Petula Clark. "Downtown" was her major hit and is still an incredible song. When I took my young daughter and her friends on vacation I had "Downtown" on CD in my jeep. The kids went nuts whenever it came on... Still cool to this day.....

Petula Clark, CBE (born 15 November 1932) is an English singer, actress, and composer whose career has spanned seven decades

Clark's professional career began as an entertainer on BBC Radio during World War II. During the 1960s she became known internationally for her popular upbeat hits, including "Downtown", "I Know a Place", "My Love", "Colour My World", "A Sign of the Times", and "Don't Sleep in the Subway." She has sold in excess of 68 million records throughout her career. (!!!)


11.14.2011

SCOTT MORGAN VIDEO PICKS




Scott really picked some fine tunes tonight! Check these out.....

Pata Pata

In the Basement


Do I Love You


Wade in the Water


Iko Iko


I Can't Believe What You Say

DETROIT SINGER LORI KING REALLY KICKS IT!


Lori King

Check this Detroit Soul singer Lori King.... I was sent info on Ms King by Tropical Jon so I took a listen... I totally love Lori's cover of "Signed Sealed Delivered" Take a listen.... Haven't met Lori yet but really hope to very soon....

Lori kicks em out and makes Detroit PROUD...



Lori King My Space
Lori King Facebook

11.13.2011

RETROKIMMER: "GO NOW"


Before The Moody Blues recorded it, "Go Now" was a Northern Soul single featuring Bessie Banks, it was released in 1964. Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller produced this record and it was written by Bessie's husband Larry Banks. I love this version but the Moody Blue's cover is my ultimate favorite...



Denny Laine recalled to Gibson.com how the band came to cover this song: "It came in one of these suitcases full of records from America. This guy, James Hamilton, he was a friend of B. Mitchel Reed, who was a DJ, and he would send this stuff across.



So I picked that one out especially because Mike Pinder was a piano player. (chuckles) We'd always get the gig where the piano would be out of tune and we'd get the slow hand clap because they were waiting to tune the piano… (laughs) Anyway, we did 'Go Now' because it was a song with a piano in it.

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