THE HOWLING DIABLOS AND MORE...

While on vacation I got to go see Scott Morgan and the Rationals Cd Release party with the The Howling Diablos. What a fun concert to watch in a small theater in Ferndale. The drummer was one of my favorites of all time Johnny Bee Badanjek the legendary Detroit Drummer.

We had so much fun that only a slide show would convey everything that Retrokimmer and Machinegun thompson have going right now. We are working on Machinegun's Houseparty for November 2009, a Dualing Drummers video with Machinegun and Johnny Bee. Also a Huge Detroit Rock Music Fan Festival for 2010.

Here is a slideshow to give you a bit of an idea of our planning stages.

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY: LONDON 1960's

Blow-Up is a fabulous Retro film based on the real life antics of fashion photographers from 1960's London.

Recently a friend mailed a copy of a terrific documentary about the real people behind the film Blow-Up. I sat absolutely mesmerized for 2 hours watching the documentary, the backstory behind the 60's Fashion scene:

THE REAL BLOW UP fame, fashion, and photography in the 1960's.

A 2 hour BBC Documentary that is unfortunately not available for sale or out even on a You tube video. The background of the photographers, models, actors and rocks stars of the 1960's is riveting and the BBC should make a film about Bailey singularly. Release of the original would be in store as well.

Thank you HH for all of your generous tutorials!

I did find a great two-part interview with Mr. Bailey on You Tube:

David Bailey, who captured the most powerful icons of the 1960s in his photographs. He first became interested in photography while serving in the Royal Air Force, and he started out as an assistant to fashion photographer John French.

His first published pictures appeared in 1960, and from then he became famous for making stars of a new generation of models, including Jean Shrimpton, Catherine Deneuve, who he married for five years, and Penelope Tree. You adapt to who you're photographing. It's their personality, not mine I want. Whereas models once appeared cold and aloof, Bailey's work gave them a personality, thanks to the close rapport he enjoyed with them. It was considered revolutionary at the time.

Of Jean Shrimpton, he said: "She was magic and the camera loved her too. In a way she was the cheapest model in the world - you only needed to shoot half a roll of film and then you had it. "She had the knack of having her hand in the right place, she knew where the light was, she was just a natural."

Bailey continues to work today, with recent subjects including Manchester band Oasis, boxer Naseem Hamed and model Naomi Campbell. But his style of photography remains the same. "I've always tried to do pictures that don't date. I always go for simplicity," he said.

Jean Shrimpton started it all:

Jean Shrimpton

When British newcomer David Bailey came to New York in the winter of 1962 with model and girlfriend Jean Shrimpton, it was considered by most to be an audacious move. The refreshing body of work that resulted however, allowed Bailey and his photographs to pioneer the subsequent transatlantic invasion by the likes of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

Shooting with his new 35mm camera and without any crew members or stylists, Bailey was able to capture the energy of this city during the era of Andy Warhol and jazz nirvana.

The photographs in NY JS DB 62 exude the beauty of a tough, but naïve couple whose decision to break boundaries is just as inspiring today as it was in 1962. Images from NY JS DB 62, are out now on Steidl.

Barry Lategan

Barry Lategan is one of the country’s most renowned and influential photographers. Probably best known for his early discovery and portraits of Twiggy – two of which are exhibited in the V&A Museum – Barry has photographed some of the most notable celebrities of the past forty years.

HRH Princess Anne, Paul and Linda McCartney, Iman, Germaine Greer, Calvin Klein, Sol Campbell, John Major, Margaret Thatcher and Salman Rushdie are just a few of the famous faces that have appeared in front of his lens.

His career as a fashion photographer has also seen much of his work make it to the pages and front covers of international editions of Vogue and Harpers Bazaar and he won the Halina award for the 1986 Pirelli calendar. Other plaudits include a Clio Award for a TV commercial for Armani perfume and a D&AD Award for the Millennium stamp.

JOHNNY BEE BADANJEK: DETROIT'S DRUMMER

Bee and Me

JOHNNY BEE'S ONLINE ART GALLERY

Last night along with Mazinga/Powertrane/drummer Al King, I was lucky to get a ticket to the Scott Morgan and The Rationals Cd Release Party show. Without any advance info I discovered when I arrived that one of my all time favorite rock musicians was playing drums with The Howling Diablos. Johnny Bee Bandanjek of the Detroit Wheels fame.

Machinegun Thompson and Johnny Bee are the VERY best drummers in all of rock history in my book. Hey what an idea! I need to get those two guys together and do a dueling drummer video! YES I think I will start working on that plan tomorrow. Machinegun did a great post today on The Power of the Moment go check it out...

As John began to play I sat transfixed through their entire set. They played Gloria! OMG! I was in a retro coma!

Tino from the HD's was a great front man and the whole band were really rocking out the theater. I never wanted them to stop.

Bee's Self Portrait

Another great moment was meeting a terrific rock graphic artist named Richard Peardon. Richard brought me a canvas print of Johnny Bee's self portrait painting. (Pictured above)

After the Diablos set Al introduced me to John. How exciting was that? Johnny Bee played drums on the very first record I ever bought with my own money in 1965, Jenny Take A Ride

At 16, John (Johnny Bee) Badanjek (pronounced:buh-DAN-jek) was the drummer for the Motor City's premier rock and roll band, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels. There he hammered out one of the three greatest drum breaks in the history of rock, according to Rolling Stone Magazine (On "Devil With A Blue Dress").

After the group disbanded in 1967, "Bee" toured and recorded with Edgar Winter, Alice Cooper, Dr. John, Bob Seger, Ronnie Montrose, Nils Lofgren and others, providing the backbeat for some of rock's legendary tracks.

But Johnny Bee's preeminent position in the nation's hard rock hall-of-fame was not won with sticks alone -- in 1972, he co-founded The Rockets as a showcase for his songwriting skills. He served in a dual role as drummer/lead vocalist until 1976 -- when they opted for a bluesier voice.

DISCOGRAPHY JOHNNY BEE'S WEBSITE:

Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels/JENNY TAKE A RIDE
Dynavoice (gold)

Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels/BREAKOUT
Dynavoice (gold)

Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels/SOCK IT TO ME
Dynavoice (gold)

Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels/GREATEST HITS
Dynavoice (gold)

Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels/REV UP!-GREATEST HITS
Rhino (New CD Compilation - 1990)

Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels/BIG WHEELS
Pair (New CD Compilation - 1990)

Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels/THE ROCKIN' HITS OF
Special Music (New CD Compilation - 1990)

Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels/TAKE A RIDE
Sundazed (CD reissue - 1993)

Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels/BREAKOUT...!!!
Sundazed (CD reissue - 1993

Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels/SOCK IT TO ME!
Sundazed (CD reissue - 1993)

Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels/ALL HITS!
Sundazed (CD reissue - 1994)

Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels/DEVIL WITH A BLUE DRESS ON
Rhino (New CD Compilation - 1995)

Edgar Winter/THEY ONLY COME OUT AT NIGHT
Epic (Platinum)

Alice Cooper/WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE
Warner Brothers (Platinum)

Dr. John/HOLLYWOOD BE THY NAME
Columbia

Detroit featuring Mitch Ryder/DETROIT
Paramount (CD reissue by MCA 1990)

Albert King/KING ALBERT
Tomato Records

The Rockets/LOVE TRANSFUSION
RCA(CD reissue in Europe by Line Records)

The Rockets/TURN UP THE RADIO
RSO (gold)

The Rockets/NO BALLADS
RSO (gold)

The Rockets/BACK TALK
Elektra

The Rockets/ROCKET ROLL
Elektra

The Rockets/LIVE ROCKETS
Capitol (CD reissue 1990)

Nils Lofgren CODE OF THE ROAD/LIVE (Double Set)
Tower Bell - Europe (Platinum Europe)

Movie Soundtrack/ABOUT LAST NIGHT/ with Bob Seger
Capitol

Ronnie Montrose/THE SPEED OF SOUND
Enigma/Capitol

Mitch Ryder/RED BLOOD, WHITE MINK
Line Records - Europe 1991

Budweiser commercial - 1990
Nils Lofgren/LENNON & McCARTNEY SONGBOOK

Connoisseur Collection - Europe
Mich Ryder/THE BEAUTIFUL TOULONG SUNSET
Line Records - Europe 1991

Nils Lofgren/THE CROOKED LINE
Rykodisk - Summer 1992

Jamie James - The Kingbee/CRUEL WORLD
School Kids - 1994

Dr. John/THE DR. JOHN ANTHOLOGY - MOS' SCOCIOUS
Rhino (2 CD set) - 1994

Max Weinberg/MAX WEINBERG PRESENTS - LET THERE BE DRUMS
Rhino (3 CD set) - 1994

The Rockets/FRAT ROCK: MORE OF THE 70'S
Rhino 1995

Mitch Ryder/LIVE AT THE LOGO - HAMBURG, GERMANY
Line Records - 1997

Nils Lofgren/CODE OF THE ROAD - GREATEST HITS LIVE
EMI/Capitol - 1997

General Motors Commercial - with special guest Mitch Ryder
Dan Yessian Productions - 1997

Broken Toys/WRIF ROCKS COMPILATION
WRIF - 1998

Notorious Johnnys/SHOWTIME MOVIE: IN CLEAR VIEW
2 songs - 1998

Broken Toys/SHOWTIME MOVIE: IN CLEAR VIEW
2 songs - 1998

The Rockets/MOTOR CITY'S BURNIN' VOL. II - COMPILATION
Total Energy Records - "Saigon Shuffle" - 1998

Broken Toys/JAM RAG CD - COMPILATION
Jam Rag Label - 1998

Broken Toys/BEST OF MEMPHIS SMOKE
Memphis Smoke Label - 1998

Detroit featuring Mitch Ryder/
COVER YOU: A TRIBUTE TO THE ROLLING STONES
Hip-O Records (February 10, 1998 )

Cub Koda and Brownsville Station Live
Saginaw Civic Center 1998

Alice Cooper/THE LIFE AND CRIMES OF ALICE COOPER
Warner Bros./Rhino - 1999

Mitch Ryder/WAR - COMPILATION
Zound Records (Germany) - 1999

The Rockets/BEST OF THE ROCKETS
CD Box Set - No Anticipated Release date

The Romantics / 61/49
Web Entertainment - 2003

Starbucks / Pop Hits of the 70's
Sony Music - 2003

Jack Lord / Monotony Kills
2004

Dave Edwards / Take Another Look
Dazie Records - 2004

Car Wash / The Howling Diablo's
Alive Records - 2005

Thank you all around to Al King, Richard Peardon and Debbie, and thank you for all the music and soulful beats Johnny Bee!

The Rationals CD Release Party Featuring Scott Morgan

The Rationals CD Release Party Featuring Scott Morgan

With The Howling Diablos & The Space Heaters

Doors 8 P.m

Friday, July 24 8:00p

at The Magic Bag, Ferndale, MI

We will be venturing out to Ferndale to see one of our favorite rock musicians Scott Morgan. Totally hoping he'll play RK's favorite Rationals songs "I Need You" The slow version and Not Like it Was. We love those songs!
Here they are...

When serious collectors compose lists of the top shoulda-been-bigger bands of the '60s, the Rationals are often among them. Coming out of the same Ann Arbor, MI scene that gave birth to the MC5 and the Stooges, the group's forte was a sort of "garage band" take on blue-eyed soul, built around the fine R&B-hued vocals of frontman Scott Morgan.

Their mid-'60s singles, however, didn't break in many areas outside of Michigan (where they had some big local hits), and by the time they got to record an album, they had long passed their peak. The Rationals actually predated the MC5/Stooges by quite some time, both chronologically and stylistically. When they began recording for the local A2 label in 1965, they were, like many garage bands, heavily influenced by the British Invasion, although they gave their material a more soulful flavour than most similar units. "Gave My Love" was a chart-topper in Ann Arbor (and a hit in Detroit), as was a follow-up single of "Respect" (which predated Aretha Franklin's version). Picked up for national distribution by Cameo/Parkway, it nudged into the lowest regions of the national charts as well. Read full article Classic Bands HERE Scott's Main Website HERE Scott Morgan on Myspace HERE Scott Morgan and Powertrane HERE Chris "Box" Taylor on Myspace HERE

LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME: DORIS DAY

Doris Day and James Cagney starred in Love Me or Leave Me in 1955 but I saw this movie on TV as a kid throughout the 60's. To me it is the best of all of Doris Day's films. Her look, fashions, acting and singing are all melded together at that perfect moment in time. She was absolutely marvelous playing the part of Ruth Etting. Ms. Day should have won the academy award for this role but was sadly omitted from the nominations.

Rising to fame in the twenties and early thirties, Ruth Etting was renowned for her great beauty, her gorgeous voice and her tragic life. She starred on Broadway, made movies in Hollywood, married a mobster, had numerous hit-records, fell in love and was known as America's Sweetheart of Song. Ruth's website is HERE

In the Thirties it was common knowledge along Broadway that the popular singer Ruth Etting was something of a brow-beaten slave of her husband an ex-Chicago mobster named Martin Snyder, better known as The Gimp. Miss Etting's friends finally helped her to get a divorce, after which The Gimp expressed his sentiments by dispatching a couple of bullets into the man who later married her. Great Movie Review HERE

After watching this film as a very young girl I came away with a horrified view that Jimmy Cagney beat up Doris Day! OMG! I was left feeling very sorry for (Doris) Ruth Etting and what a beast (Jimmy) Marty the Gimp was to abuse and stalk her.

Fast forward a few decades and after buying this dvd I watched the entire film uninterrupted by editing and commercials. We came away with quite a different view.

Marty the Gimp was the victim in this film. Maybe not in "real" life but in the film Ruth really does use Marty tog et what she wants and then kicks him to the curb. We were left feeling sympathy for the devil in the film.

If you have never seen this film rush to the video store and rent or buy it. It is a terrific movie and Doris and Jimmy are both at their very best in:

PETER FALK: MURDER, INC. 1960

MURDER, INC. Peter Falk's fabulous film debut. As Abe Reles a vicious thug who led the Murder Inc and a cold blooded ice pick killer. Falk is the picture of menace—it’s hard to believe that Peter went on to be the beloved Lt. Columbo.

He is a fascinating study in gangster portrayals. This film was his first major feature role and Peter was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for Murder, Inc. In his 2006 autobiography, Just One More Thing, Falk said that the film Murder Inc. launched his career.

This film is a gripping account of the birth of organized crime that began when mobsters began to “organize” and run their operations like a business. Filmed in black-and-white Murder, Inc. displays the brutal tatics of the “corporation” that began to spread fear and change the face of crime in the US forever. Not to mention give the film industry a new genre.

We love Murder, Inc the film and particularly Peter Falk’s performance which gave the term menace a whole new meaning… We have wondered if Joe Pesci studied Peter Falk’s performance before filming Goodfellas and Casino.

MACHINEGUN THOMPSON: PAH NATION PANEL

Don't miss Machinegun tonight on the live webcast of Christopher Coppola's Project Accessible Hollywood (PAH NATION) Dennis will be a member of the Creativity Panel which begins at 8pm Eastern Time

Click this link to see the web cast later tonight

Webcasts

7/17 5PM PST/8PM EST - Creativity Panel Machinegun

Streaming will begin Friday, 4:00 PM US/Pacific 7PM Eastern

VERY FUN PAH NATION FILM