News

CORKY LAING — THE LEGENDARY DRUMMER FOR MOUNTAIN AND WEST, BRUCE AND LAING — SET TO RELEASE NEW BOOK, “LETTERS TO SARAH,” ON MOTHER’S DAY, SUNDAY, MAY 12

Posted by RockStarPR on June 26, 2019   |   Comments Off on CORKY LAING — THE LEGENDARY DRUMMER FOR MOUNTAIN AND WEST, BRUCE AND LAING — SET TO RELEASE NEW BOOK, “LETTERS TO SARAH,” ON MOTHER’S DAY, SUNDAY, MAY 12
May 7, 2019
 
 
 
CORKY LAING — THE LEGENDARY DRUMMER FOR MOUNTAIN
AND WEST, BRUCE AND LAING – SET TO RELEASE NEW BOOK,
TITLED “LETTERS TO SARAH” ON MOTHER’S DAY, SUNDAY, MAY 12
 
“LETTERS TO SARAH” – CHRONICLING THE UPS AND DOWNS OF LAING’S LIFE – FEATURES EXCERPTS OF TOUCHING, MEMORABLE, HUMOROUS, INTIMATE AND HEARTFELT
LETTERS WRITTEN TO HIS MOTHER OVER 34 YEAR PERIOD
 
 
 
Corky Laing started his life in 1948 as the youngest of five siblings in Montreal, Canada. His early bands enjoyed a good local following, opened for many of the popular British invasion acts and, ultimately, got a record deal with Atlantic Records in New York. Through the teenage summers, his band was a regular on the Island of Nantucket, Massachusetts and frequented clubs in New York City. In September 1969, his life changed for good when Mountain happened. There started a few crazy years of rock mayhem. Mountain was followed by West, Bruce and Laing – a super group featuring Leslie West, Jack Bruce and Corky that was destined for greatness, but brought to an untimely end by the darker forces of the music scene. After West, Bruce and Laing, Mountain continued to tour and record on and off. The months and years off left Corky with plenty of time for his own musical explorations and other careers. He released a solo album, almost set up another super group, worked in a driving service and in real estate, had a senior position at Chappell Music and became a vice president of A&R at Polygram, Canada.
 
During his career, Corky has played, written and toured with the who’s who of rock. Keith Moon was a close pal, and Levon Helm, a mentor and friend. Eric Clapton played on his solo album and Tony Williams recommended to Jack Bruce that Corky should be included in West, Bruce and Laing. Corky Laing All Star Show Band included Mick Taylor, Lester Chambers and Meatloaf. Corky has written, among others, with Peter Frampton, Mick Jagger, Ian Hunter, Mick Ronson, and obviously, with Leslie West, Felix Pappalardi and Jack Bruce. At the Lone Star Café in New York, he partied with the likes of Robin Williams and John Belushi.    
 
However, Letters to Sarah (Polite Bystander Productions, 2019) is a rock autobiography with a difference. In addition to the exceptionally honest and endearing voice of Corky chronicling the ups and downs of his life, there are excerpts from dozens of letters (out of the c. 200) that Corky wrote to his mother, Sarah, between the years 1963 and 1997. She had saved them all. The letters were a way for Corky, away on the road for years on end, to keep in touch with his roots and also, to make sense of his life. This continues in Letters to Sarah, as Corky relives the first 50 years of his life, up until his mother’s passing in 1998.
 
The book opens with a Foreword by the incomparable Kinky Friedman. It was written together with Corky’s manager and partner, Tuija Takala, PhD, who is a widely published academic author and who, initially discovered the letters to Sarah tucked away in a box at Corky’s rehearsal studio.
 
 
 
Letters to Sarah is now available on Amazon
 
Soft cover:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/9529415303?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860&fbclid=IwAR0PmGrMbolbH7mxRfozuXg0tU7j3NjuLSW-ja66yTyZK_2Zzck–h5BRx0
 
Kindle:
https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Sarah-Corky-Laing-ebook/dp/B07QDV4L1R/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
 
Audiobook (as read by Corky): Coming out soon!
 
 
 
Corky’s new album, The Toledo Sessions, will be released in late May (Rouge Records, USA) and he will tour (together with Richie Scarlet and Mark Mikel) the U.S. in August and September, and Europe in October and November. The fall will also see the release of a comprehensive Corky Laing Box Set (Gonzo Multimedia, UK).
 
 
If you’d like to interview Corky for a feature story or receive a copy of his new book, Letters to Sarah, for review, please contact Jeff Albright / The Albright Entertainment Group at rockstarpr@aol.com. Thank you.
 
 
More on Corky:
corkylaingworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/corkylaing
https://www.instagram.com/corkylaing
 
Management:
politebystander@gmail.com
 
 
“The cowbell king is an influential force in music (both in front of the audience and behind the scenes).
Never one to rest on his past achievements, Corky Laing is like a fine wine who just gets better and better as time goes on. Explore his journey in Letters to Sarah. It’s a groovy read front to back.”
 
BILLY AMENDOLA
 
 
“When I heard ‘Mississippi Queen,’ I said: ‘now that’s a cowbell. More cowbell!’
Corky is a great man, a great drummer and an inspiration. He inspired me and if you listen carefully
you will hear a lot of cowbell in the KISS songs. Thank you Corky! God Bless You!!!”
 
PETER CRISS
 
 
“As the drummer for Mountain, Corky Laing shares the title of one of the best players of that genre.”
 
LEVON HELM
(In his foreword to Corky’s Stick It book, 2001)

LISA S. JOHNSON — PHOTOGRAPHER AND AUTHOR OF THE HIGHLY-ACCLAIMED BOOK, “108 ROCK STAR GUITARS” — TO PROVIDE STUNNING IMAGES OF GUITARS FOR MODA’S FORTHCOMING EXHIBIT, “WIRE & WOOD: DESIGNING ICONIC GUITARS”

Posted by RockStarPR on June 26, 2019   |   Comments Off on LISA S. JOHNSON — PHOTOGRAPHER AND AUTHOR OF THE HIGHLY-ACCLAIMED BOOK, “108 ROCK STAR GUITARS” — TO PROVIDE STUNNING IMAGES OF GUITARS FOR MODA’S FORTHCOMING EXHIBIT, “WIRE & WOOD: DESIGNING ICONIC GUITARS”
April 29, 2019
 
Contact: Jeff Albright (rockstarpr@aol.com)
LISA S. JOHNSON — PHOTOGRAPHER AND AUTHOR OF THE HIGHLY-ACCLAIMED BOOK,
“108 ROCK STAR GUITARS” — TO PROVIDE STUNNING IMAGES OF GUITARS
FOR MUSEUM OF DESIGN ATLANTA’S FORTHCOMING EXHIBIT
“WIRE & WOOD: DESIGNING ICONIC GUITARS” OPENING SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2019
 
 
“IMAGE CONSULTANT TO THE CURATOR” LISA S. JOHNSON’S “GUITAR AS ART”
PHOTOS TO BE FEATURED IN “WIRE & WOOD: DESIGNING ICONIC GUITARS” EXHIBIT
THAT WILL EXPLORE THE CREATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE INSTRUMENT OVER THE YEARS
 
 
“WIRE & WOOD: DESIGNING ICONIC GUITARS,” CURATED BY W. TODD VAUGHT,
TO FEATURE A DOZEN ICONIC GUITARS OWNED, PLAYED OR ENDORSED BY SUCH ARTISTS AS
BO DIDDLEY, BUCK OWENS, JACK WHITE AND JAMES HETFIELD, ENCOMPASSING
SEVERAL GENRES OF MUSIC INCLUDING BLUES, COUNTRY, ROCK, HARD ROCK AND ALTERNATIVE
 
If you’ve always been intrigued by the shapes and sounds of the electric guitar over the years, you’re in for a visual and educational experience like-no-other beginning Sunday, June 30, when the Museum of Design Atlanta unveils its newest and long-awaited exhibit, Wire & Wood: Designing Iconic Guitars.
The inaugural guitar exhibit, which is expected to last through the end of September,

explores the basics of guitar design while also considering how some guitars have become icons, how they reached this status, and how technology will affect the instrument in the future.
Iconic guitars to be featured at the exhibit include those owned, played or endorsed by such guitar greats as Junior Brown, Bo Diddley, Billy Duffy, James Hetfield, Orianthi, Buck Owens, Rich Robinson, St. Vincent, Derek Trucks, Steve Vai and Jack White, representing such major guitar manufacturers as Ernie Ball, ESP, Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, Ibanez and PRS (Paul Reed Smith). Jack White’s featured guitar is a custom “Diddley Bow” that he created for the 2008 documentary, It Might Get Loud.
In addition to the actual guitars on display, one of the highlights of the Wire & Wood: Designing Iconic Guitars exhibit will be the numerous guitar “as art” images provided by renowned photographer Lisa S. Johnson.
Armed with a macro lens, laser-focused eye for detail and a unique, singular vision, Lisa S. Johnson’s “guitar art” has become embedded in pop culture’s six-string consciousness since the release of her critically-acclaimed deluxe leather bound coffee table debut, 108 Rock Star Guitars, on October 8, 2013 and its subsequent softcover edition published by the venerable Hal Leonard Corporation in November of 2014. The book was a 17-year journey that all began when she photographed the legendary Les Paul’s ancient Gibson during one of his famed sets at the Iridium club in New York City and the rest, as they say, is history. The book is registered with the Smithsonian Library and received the prestigious Graphis Silver Design Award in 2014.
Johnson, the “Image Consultant to the Curator” for Wire & Wood: Designing Iconic Guitars, is thoroughly excited about her participation in the forthcoming exhibit, stating, “It’s been such and honor and pleasure to work with curator W. Todd Vaught and MODA Executive Director Laura Flusche on this amazing exhibit that truly represents everything I’m all about as a photographer… recognizing, capturing and displaying the guitar as art. Whether you’re a musician or just a fan of music, you’ll love this exhibit.”
Vaught brings over 20 years of experience in multi-disciplinary design, management and story-telling to bear in Wire & Wood: Designing Iconic Guitars.
His interest in all facets of design, including architecture, interior design, graphic design and industrial design inform his interest in curating and designing exhibitions that weave together various media to tell compelling stories.
Over the past two decades, Lisa, as a true pioneer, has photographed more than two hundred one-of-a-kind guitars, perhaps more than any other photographer in the history of music. Her passion for the art and design of the guitar is unparalleled.
Some of her famous guitar images that will be on display at the Wire & Wood: Designing Iconic Guitars exhibit at MODA include Dave Mustaine, Willie Nelson, Tom Scholz, Brian Setzer and Zakk Wylde along with an unpublished image of Eddie Van Halen’s prized “Frankenstrat” and a never-before-seen image of Dave Grohl’s guitar. Visitors to the exhibit will be among the very first to see it! As for Van Halen’s “Frankenstrat,” it’s so iconic that a copy of it is housed in the National Museum of American History, part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C..
Wire & Wood is all about the guitars that created some great music, live on stage and in the studio, since the instrument’s inception.
Music is the universal language and this exhibit is great for all ages!
MODA’s mission is to advance the understanding and appreciation of design as the convergence of creativity and functionality through exhibitions, education, and programming for visitors of all ages.
MODA’s exhibitions invite visitors
 to learn about the power of design by participating in its processes with programs that empower children and adults to try on the mindsets of designers and to begin to think a little differently about the challenges that our world presents.
Located in Atlanta’s vibrant Midtown Arts Corridor, MODA, a Smithsonian Affiliate, holds the distinction of being the Southeast’s only museum dedicated solely to the study and celebration of all things design.
For additional information on the Museum of Design Atlanta (located at 1315 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30309) and the Wire & Wood: Designing Iconic Guitars exhibit, please visit www.museumofdesign.org/wire-and-wood.
 
If you’d like to interview photographer, author and Image Consultant to the Curator, Lisa S. Johnson, please contact Jeff Albright / The Albright Entertainment Group at RockStarPR@aol.com.
 
 
Additional Lisa S. Johnson press materials (including the guitar images of Willie Nelson and Tom Scholz) are available via this DropBox link: –https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f2oq0sp8rb8dxcr/AACv3xgrkeJRouSo28QA4M2aa?dl=0
 
Lisa S. Johnson Website and Social Media
 
Official Website – www.108RockStarGuitars.com
Facebook – 108 Rock Star Guitars / Cosmic 108
Twitter – 108RSGuitars (@108RSGuitars)
Instagram – 108RockStarGuitars (@108rockstarguitars) / Cosmic_108
 
 
Note: Copies of 108 Rock Star Guitars (both hardcover and softcover versions) will be sold at the exhibit.
THE WIRE & WOOD: DESIGNING ICONIC GUITARS EXHIBITION WILL INCLUDE:
THE DESIGN OF THE GUITAR 
Guitars are instruments of sound, but they have strong visual impact. While the individual components of every guitar are largely the same, they can be assembled in many different ways to create an endless variety of products. Does the shape, species of wood, or the length of the neck impact the sound?  Does form follow function or is image king?  Will the guitar continue in traditional form or will technological advancements change it? Wire & Wood will delve into the difference that design makes in making a guitar that sounds wonderful or creating one that is visually stunning. We’ll look at how musicians have used guitars as design elements in crafting their own images.
 
GUITARS AS MUSICAL ICONS
We will look at the design of some of the world’s most famous guitars to understand how they were created and how they became icons.  Guitar pioneers Leo Fender and Orville Gibson created some of the most well-known instruments, but they are not necessarily recognized for sound as much as for their visual impact.  Fender’s Stratocaster and Gibson’s Flying-V are instantly recognizable to many, but what about the Mosrite Mark II, the Danelectro 59M, Kramer 5150, and Gretsch White Falcon? This section will include an installation of Flying V guitars hanging from the ceiling.
 
TECHNOLOGY & GUITARS 
We’ll explore how technological advances have influenced guitar design in the past and how they are likely to do so in the future, including:
     -Acyclic Body Guitars as demonstrated through guitars on loan
     -Aluminum Body Guitars as demonstrated through guitars on loan
     -Guitars made by machining / CNC with the process demonstrated in photos
     -3D printed guitars as seen in an actual 3D instrument
 
INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES
The exhibition will engage visitors through a series of interactive activities:
     -Sound comparison of different guitars – Digital interactive allowing song samples to be compared on different guitars
     -Play a song – Digital interactive allowing people who cannot play a real instrument to “play” a song
     -Effects pedals – Interactive pedal display allowing users to use effects pedals
# # #

JOHN LODGE, THE LEGENDARY BASS PLAYER, SONGWRITER AND VOCALIST OF THE MOODY BLUES, CONTINUES 10,000 LIGHT YEARS TOUR IN 2019 BEGINNING WITH HANDFUL OF NORTHEAST PERFORMANCES IN FEBRUARY

Posted by RockStarPR on January 29, 2019   |   Comments Off on JOHN LODGE, THE LEGENDARY BASS PLAYER, SONGWRITER AND VOCALIST OF THE MOODY BLUES, CONTINUES 10,000 LIGHT YEARS TOUR IN 2019 BEGINNING WITH HANDFUL OF NORTHEAST PERFORMANCES IN FEBRUARY

For all confirmed tour dates, please see John’s official website at www.johnlodge.com. Thank you.

“ROCK DOC” CHRONICLES NEIL RATNER MD’S EXTRAORDINARY AND COLORFUL LIFE JOURNEY FROM THE MUSIC BUSINESS TO MEDICINE, BACK TO MUSIC AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN

Posted by RockStarPR on November 15, 2018   |   Comments Off on “ROCK DOC” CHRONICLES NEIL RATNER MD’S EXTRAORDINARY AND COLORFUL LIFE JOURNEY FROM THE MUSIC BUSINESS TO MEDICINE, BACK TO MUSIC AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN

November 15, 2018

“As a kid, I dreamed of two different career paths.
Either I would become a successful rock and roll drummer,
or I would become an MD.”

— Neil Ratner – “Rock Doc” —

“ROCK DOC” CHRONICLES NEIL RATNER MD’S EXTRAORDINARY AND
COLORFUL LIFE JOURNEY FROM THE MUSIC BUSINESS TO MEDICINE,
BACK TO MUSIC AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN

FORTHCOMING BOOK “ROCK DOC” — SLATED FOR BOTH DIGITAL AND AUDIO BOOK
RELEASE THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 3 AND SOFTCOVER RELEASE IN JANUARY OF 2019 —
TELLS MANY-A-FASCINATING TALE OF NEIL RATNER’S DAYS AS A ROCKER,
A DOCTOR AND OTHER NEVER-BEEN-TOLD-BEFORE STORIES AND ADVENTURES

In the mid-late fifties, a young Neil Ratner was banging his silverware on the kitchen table and anything else he could find, with the dream of becoming a rock and roll drummer.

But after being in a few bands in high school and not achieving the success he needed to continue, Neil packed up and began a pre-med curriculum at the University of Vermont.

To say the years to come and his life ahead would be “an incredible journey” would be an understatement.

“I wrote this book for a couple of reasons,” states Neil. “I’ve had this incredible life and I wanted to share it. And, of course, I want people to know the Michael Jackson that I knew… He wasn’t the Michael Jackson you think you knew from the press. Michael was a wonderful person… spiritual, sense of humor… and I think my stories will indicate that…”

ROCK DOC offers a unique insight into three distinct stages of Neil’s life; “The Rock,” “The Doc” and how his two passions combined to create “The Rock Doc.”

36 chapters, 317 pages, some three dozen images and countless stories.

The summer of 1969 would prove to be a very significant time for Neil. He took a summer job in New York City training to be an operating room technician and sublet an apartment in New York City’s gritty East Village. Rick Derringer, formerly of the band The McCoys (who had the massive #1 hit “Hang On Sloopy in 1965), lived upstairs and he and Neil struck up a friendship. Rick was working with both Johnny and Edgar Winter. Neil asked Rick to get him a job as a drummer to no avail and after the summer, Neil went back to the pre-med program at the University of Vermont.

But everything changed a year later when, in a surprise phone call, Rick asked Neil to be the road manager for Edgar Winter’s new band, White Trash (featuring Derringer, who produced the band’s self-titled album). Although Neil really wanted to be the drummer, he took the job and started his short but intense career in the music business. After about a year with Edgar, he took a job as special assistant for rock impresario Dee Anthony and toured with Dee’s bands Humble Pie, Peter Frampton, J. Geils Band and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

As a matter of fact, ELP were so impressed with Ratner that they invited him to move to London to be their full-time tour manager. During his time in London, Neil realized that there was a need for a new type of company to take care of all the touring needs of major groups and Circus Talents Ltd. was formed.

Peter Watts, the chief sound engineer for the Pink Floyd, and Neil had become good friends and Watt’s hooked him up with the technical experts to make the company happen… Watts was so impressed with Ratner’s company, he implored Floyd manager, Steve O’Rourke, to combine forces with them for the March 1973 North American leg of the Dark Side of the Moon Tour and beyond. The production was so successful that O’Rourke let Watts and Ratner use the combined equipment for a few more tours including a U.S. tour with Three Dog Night and T-Rex.

Struck down a bit by the rock and roll lifestyle (“I beat myself up pretty good”), Neil was hospitalized in London with kidney stones. While there, he had a life-changing experience after watching a 1955 movie titled, Not as a Stranger. featuring Frank Sinatra, Robert Mitchum and Olivia de Havilland, about a bunch of medical students going through their trials and tribulations.

Becoming a doctor was no easy task. Neil had to first finish college and was not accepted into a U.S. medical school for a variety of reasons, including limited spaces from large numbers of Vietnam Vets. Foreign medical schools were a legitimate alternative and after a crash course in Spanish at a language school, Neil and his new bride (married only a week) drove to Guadalajara, Mexico to begin four years of medical school.

Getting back into the American medical system involved a year of unpaid internship at a U.S. hospital after which Neil passed his exams and began a residency in surgery. After two years, Neil realized that surgery was not for him and was drawn instead to the other side of the operating table and a career in the specialty of Anesthesiology.

Dr. Neil Ratner took the bold step of helping to establish the new specialty of office-based anesthesia in New York City. In doing so, Dr. Ratner became an expert in the use of the new drug Propofol, a drug that would play a significant role in Neil’s future.

Although Dr. Ratner encountered many celebrities in his anesthesia practice, one would change his life. Eight years after establishing his office anesthesia practice, Michael Jackson walked into an office in which Neil was the director of Anesthesia. Neil became a trusted friend of Michael’s and for eight years (1994-2002) periodically traveled the world with Michael as his personal physician and friend.

“I liked Michael right away,” states Neil. “I was a doctor and a real music guy and we just hit it off,” adding “He was a wonderful friend and I miss him.”

The detailed story of how they met and their years together is all contained in the book.

Most of all, the book is about Neil’s journey which, in addition to his rock and roll stories and his time with Michael Jackson, includes stories about:

His time in Africa and his relationship with Nelson Mandela
His charity work in Africa and beyond
Neil’s struggles with addiction and the story of the fertility business and why he went to prison (with very unexpected results)
Denise Rich and the Dream Factory

Today, Neil and his wife of 42 years, Leann, reside in a town known for something else that occurred in the summer of 1969… Woodstock.

What better place for the Rock Doc?

For Neil, the story continues and the beat goes on…

Read all about it in ROCK DOC.

If you would like to interview “The Rock Doc,” himself, author Neil Ratner MD, or receive an advance copy of the book (preferably via digital e-book) for review purposes, please contact Jeff Albright / The Albright Entertainment Group at rockstarpr@aol.com. Thank you and stay tuned for more details!

“Neil was there when I needed him. He was my neighbor when I lived in NYC, and I was working with Edgar Winter at the time. Out of nowhere, we needed a Tour Manager, and Neil, with no experience at that job said, ‘I’ll volunteer!’ He went on to be a great Tour Manager. And after that, had a long career doing things you’ll never expect. Thanks Neil.”

–Rick Derringer–

Social Media

Website: www.neilratnerrockdoc.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neilratnerrockdoc
YouTube (including “Backstage Icons of Rock” series): https://www.youtube.com/neilratnerrockdoc
International Community Bakeries: www.internationalcommunitybakeries.com

Book Facts

Author: Neil Ratner, MD
Publisher: Rock Doc Entertainment LLC / Woodstock, NY
Soft Cover: 317 pages / 36 images (including a dozen of, or with, Michael Jackson) / 36 Chapters
Dimensions: 6″ x 9″
ISBN: 978-1-7323790-1-5
Anticipated Release Date (digital and audio book as told by the author): Week of December 3, 2018
Anticipated Release Date (softcover): Week of January 20, 2019

Disclaimer and Dedication by the author, Neil Ratner, MD

This is a work of creative nonfiction. The events are portrayed to the best of my memory. While all the stories in this book are true, some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of the people involved. Conversations in the book all come from my recollections and are not written to represent word-for-word transcripts. Rather, I have retold them in a way that evokes the feeling and meaning of what was said and in all instances, the essence of the dialogue is accurate. Although I have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, I do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

This book is dedicated to all those that have been told by others, “You’ll never.” Whether it is an educational goal, your dream job, a place in the world you long to visit, or just peace of mind; it’s not up to them. It’s up to you. Only you are capable of changing your life and making your dreams a reality. Don’t be defeated by others. Believe in yourself.

I also dedicate this book to Michael Jackson. MJ’s presence was with me for much of the writing, and I hope readers will see and appreciate the fascinating, caring, and supportive Michael I knew.

Last and most importantly, I dedicate this book to Leann, my soulmate and partner for the last 42 years. Life is filled with ups and downs and the true test of a relationship is what happens when times get tough. Leann’s love and support never wavered no matter how bad things got. Our bond has only strengthened, and I thank Leann for her infinite patience and tolerance in putting up with me for all these years.

# # #

CONGRATULATIONS TO RIC OCASEK AND THE CARS FOR THEIR WELL-DESERVED INDUCTION INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME! THEY’RE UNDENIABLY THE COOLEST OF THE COOL WITH A SOUND TRULY ALL THEIR OWN! THANKS FOR THE GREAT MUSIC AND MEMORIES! JUST WHAT WE NEEDED!

Posted by RockStarPR on May 7, 2018   |   Comments Off on CONGRATULATIONS TO RIC OCASEK AND THE CARS FOR THEIR WELL-DESERVED INDUCTION INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME! THEY’RE UNDENIABLY THE COOLEST OF THE COOL WITH A SOUND TRULY ALL THEIR OWN! THANKS FOR THE GREAT MUSIC AND MEMORIES! JUST WHAT WE NEEDED!

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME GUITAR GREATS DAVE MASON AND STEVE CROPPER TO SHARE STAGE TOGETHER, PERFORMING THEIR GREATEST HITS AND PERSONAL FAVORITES, ON ROCK & SOUL REVUE TOUR BEGINNING THIS SUMMER AFTER SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT IN MAY

Posted by RockStarPR on May 7, 2018   |   Comments Off on ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME GUITAR GREATS DAVE MASON AND STEVE CROPPER TO SHARE STAGE TOGETHER, PERFORMING THEIR GREATEST HITS AND PERSONAL FAVORITES, ON ROCK & SOUL REVUE TOUR BEGINNING THIS SUMMER AFTER SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT IN MAY

April 26, 2018

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME GUITAR GREATS DAVE MASON AND STEVE CROPPER
TO SHARE STAGE TOGETHER, PERFORMING THEIR GREATEST HITS AND PERSONAL FAVORITES,
ON ROCK & SOUL REVUE TOUR BEGINNING THIS SUMMER AFTER SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT IN MAY

Come summer, classic rock fans will be in for a truly memorable evening of timeless music and endless hits, as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitar greats Dave Mason and Steve Cropper will be hitting the road together for the first time in their careers on the Rock & Soul Revue tour that will be landing in several cities throughout the U.S. (see all currently confirmed dates below including first show/special engagement at Saloon Studios in West Jefferson, NC on May 12).

“This should be great fun,” states Mason, who first met Cropper in the early 70’s. “We’ve never shared the stage together but when I got to thinking about who I’d like to play with on a jam-like tour, Steve Cropper was one of the first that came to mind It’ll be a great combination of songs for fans to enjoy and, musically, it’s definitely a show not to be missed.”

Cropper’s also more than ready for the forthcoming Rock & Soul Revue tour, with axe in tow, commenting, “I am really looking forward to this tour and hope that fans in attendance have as much fun as we’ll be having on stage. This one’s going to be great! Keep America rockin’!”

The Rock & Soul Revue show will feature Mason and Cropper performing their greatest hits and personal favorites. While some songs will be performed solo by each, most of the songs will be together, backed by Dave Mason’s longtime touring band that includes Alvino Bennett on drums, Tony Patler on keys and vocals, Johnne Sambataro on guitar and vocals and newest addition, singer Gretchen Rhodes, who will be opening most of the shows with her own set.

Fans can expect to hear such well-known Mason hits and affiliated songs as “All Along the Watchtower,” “Only You Know and I Know,” “Dear Mr. Fantasy,” “Every Woman,” “We Just Disagree” and the ever-so-popular rock anthem, “Feelin’ Alright,” along with such Cropper classics as “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” “Green Onions,” “In the Midnight Hour,” “Knock on Wood” and maybe even a little “Soul Man.”

What a show!

Best known for his soulful voice and unsurpassed guitar playing, Dave Mason was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 as a founding member of the group, Traffic, and continues to perform as a solo artist with sold-out shows all over the world. Over his illustrious career, now spanning more than five decades, Dave has performed and recorded with such artists as the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, Fleetwood Mac, Delaney & Bonnie, Cass Elliot and Steve Winwood among other music notables. A consummate musician and true road warrior, Dave has performed on such recent tours as “The Very Best of Dave Mason” (2017-current), “Alone Together Again” (2016-2017) and “Traffic Jam” (2015-2016). Dave’s latest EP, titled Pink Lipstick, is a six-song collection of recent music and previously unreleased recordings, available on CD or digital download via Dave’s official website (https://www.davemasonmusic.com/pink-lipstick-album-page).

As a founding member of Booker T. & the M.G.’s, Steve Cropper was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. As members of the house band at Stax Records during the sixties, Booker T. & the M.G.’s backed up and collaborated with such popular artists of the day as Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, Bill Withers, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, Johnnie Taylor and Albert King. In all, the band would perform on hundreds of songs that decade, with Cropper producing several albums for the label. After his time with Booker T. and Stax, Steve would go on to be a founding member of the Blues Brothers band (as “The Colonel”) and be ranked in Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Guitarists list at #39. The accolades are long… REM’s Peter Buck stated that Cropper was probably his favorite guitarist of all-time and Keith Richards separately commented, “Perfect, man.” Mojo magazine once proclaimed Steve as “the greatest living guitar player.”

Dave Mason and Steve Cropper’s Rock & Soul Revue.

It’s a show that you’ll never forget and the chance to see it is now!

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR ALL SHOWS AT https://www.davemasonmusic.com/tour/

**DAVE & STEVE’S SPECIAL VIP MEET AND GREET EXPERIENCE (SEPARATE FROM TICKET PRICE) WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL FORTHCOMING SHOWS. THIS INCLUDES A MEET AND GREET WITH BOTH ARTISTS, A CHANCE TO ATTEND SOUND CHECK, HAVE A PERSONAL PHOTO TAKEN AND MEMORABILIA SIGNED. TICKET HOLDERS THAT PURCHASE THIS PACKAGE WILL ALSO RECEIVE A MERCHANDISE ITEM. THERE ARE ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF THESE “EXPERIENCES” AVAILABLE FOR EACH SHOW. SEE VIP DETAILS FOR EACH SHOW AT THE ABOVE TOUR LINK.

If you’d like to interview Dave Mason or Steve Cropper (or need additional information/press materials), please contact Jeff Albright / The Albright Entertainment Group at rockstarpr@aol.com. Thank you.

Dave Mason Website & Social Media

Official Website – www.davemasonmusic.com (password to press materials section provided upon request)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DaveMasonMusic (@DaveMasonMusic)
Twitter: www.twitter.com/davemasonband (@davemasonband)

Steve Cropper Website & Social Media

Official Website – www.playitsteve.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stevecropper
Twitter: www.twitter.com/OfficialCropper (@OfficialCropper)

DAVE MASON AND STEVE CROPPER’S ROCK & SOUL REVUE TOUR DATES 2018*

MAY

Saturday, May 12 – Saloon Studios in West Jefferson, North Carolina

JULY

Thursday, July 5 – Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts in Salina, Kansas
Saturday, July 7 – Saturday in the Park / Grandview Park in Sioux City, Iowa
Wednesday, July 11 – Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois
Friday, July 13 – Festival in Sycamore / Bechtold Park in Sycamore Township, Ohio
Saturday, July 14 – Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall in Munhall, Pennsylvania
Sunday, July 15 – Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, New York

AUGUST

Thursday, August 16 – Cabot Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts
Saturday, August 18 – Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Sunday, August 19 – The Kent Stage in Kent, Ohio
Wednesday, August 22 – Hart Theatre in Albany, New York
Saturday, August 25 – Soundstage Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland

SEPTEMBER

Friday, September 28 – The Rose in Pasadena, California
Saturday, September 29 – Libbey Bowl in Ojai, California

OCTOBER

Saturday, October 6 – King Biscuit Blues Festival / Cherry Street Pavilion in Helena, Arkansas

*Additional dates to be announced.

GEOFF TATE’S OPERATION: MINDCRIME TO CELEBRATE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF LANDMARK CONCEPT ALBUM, “OPERATION: MINDCRIME,” BY PERFORMING IT IN ITS ENTIRETY, FROM BEGINNING TO END, AS PART OF EXTENSIVE U.S. TOUR BEGINNING IN JUNE

Posted by RockStarPR on May 7, 2018   |   Comments Off on GEOFF TATE’S OPERATION: MINDCRIME TO CELEBRATE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF LANDMARK CONCEPT ALBUM, “OPERATION: MINDCRIME,” BY PERFORMING IT IN ITS ENTIRETY, FROM BEGINNING TO END, AS PART OF EXTENSIVE U.S. TOUR BEGINNING IN JUNE

April 19, 2018

GEOFF TATE’S OPERATION: MINDCRIME TO CELEBRATE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF
LANDMARK CONCEPT ALBUM, “OPERATION: MINDCRIME,” BY PERFORMING IT IN ITS ENTIRETY,
FROM BEGINNING TO END, AS PART OF EXTENSIVE U.S. TOUR BEGINNING IN JUNE

To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the landmark concept album, Operation: Mindcrime, quintessential front man Geoff Tate (the original lead singer for Queensryche) and his band, Operation: Mindcrime, will be performing the platinum-selling album (released May 3, 1988) from beginning to end in its entirety, along with a set full of greatest hits including “Silent Lucidity” and “Jet City Woman.”

The Mindcrime set will cover all fifteen songs from the album including such fan favorites as “Revolution Calling,” “Operation: Mindcrime,” “I Don’t Believe in Love” and the closing track, “Eyes of a Stranger.”

It’s a show that Geoff loves to perform and fans love to see!

As fans might remember, Geoff performed the album in its entirety on tour in 2013 to celebrate its 25th Anniversary.

Operation: Mindcrime — one of the most iconic concept albums of all-time — was the album that thrust Geoff Tate’s unique social consciousness, style and expertly-crafted lyrics into the international spotlight.

Proving the music has stood the test of time, in 2006, Geoff and his Queensryche band mates brought the theatrical interpretation of the Mindcrime saga to audiences all over the world. In October of that year, an epic performance was filmed and recorded, resulting in Mindcrime at the Moore, an album/DVD set released in July of 2007 that would debut at #1 on the Billboard Music DVD chart. It would mark the band’s first #1 chart debut, quickly selling over 50,000 units, achieving gold status.

In all, Geoff Tate has sold more than 25 million albums at the helm of Queensryche, the band he fronted for 30 years from their inception through 2012, earning three Grammy nominations, five MTV Music Video Award nominations and one MTV Music Video Award along the way. One of those Grammy nominations was for “I Don’t Believe in Love” (1990, in the new category of “Best Metal Performance”), a song that appears on the Operation: Mindcrime album.

As for Geoff’s current musical endeavor, his band Operation: Mindcrime has released three albums in three years as part of a trilogy: The Key (September 2015), Resurrection (September 2016) and The New Reality (December 2017).

The band currently on tour features Kieran Robertson from Scotland on guitar, Bruno Sa from Brazil on keyboards, Jack Ross from Scotland on bass, Scott Moughton from Canada on guitar, Josh Watts from England on drums and Geoff Tate’s daughter, Emily, who will be singing the parts of Sister Mary. She’s also in the band, Til Death Do Us Part, who are special guests on this tour.

The forthcoming U.S. tour comes hot on the heels of the band’s European trek that began earlier this year, hitting venues in such countries as Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Further 30th Anniversary tour dates in the United States to be announced.

If you’d like to interview Geoff Tate regarding the show or need additional press materials, please contact Jeff Albright / The Albright Entertainment Group at rockstarpr@aol.com (www.rockstarpr.com).

GEOFF TATE’S OPERATION: MINDCRIME ONLINE

Official Website: www.operationmindcrime.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/operationmindcrimeband / www.facebook.com/geofftateofficial

Twitter: www.twitter.com/geofftate

GEOFF TATE’S OPERATION: MINDCRIME / 30th ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2018

June 7 – Lancaster, PA – The Chameleon
June 8 – Findlay, OH – All American Rock House
June 9 – Fond du Lac, WI – Lakeside Park
June 10 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
June 12 – Amityville, NY – Revolution Bar & Music Hall
June 13 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater
June 14 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theater
June 15 – Washington, DC – City Winery
June 16 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
June 17 – Lynchburg, VA – Phase 2
June 18 – Warrendale, PA – Jergel’s Rhythm Grille
June 19 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
June 20 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance
June 22 – Traverse City, MI – Ground Zero
June 23 – Flint, MI – Machine Shop
June 24 – Cincinnati, OH – The Venue
June 25 – Atlanta, GA – Center Stage
June 27 – Austin, TX – Antone’s Nightclub
June 28 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
June 29 – San Antonio, TX – The Aztec Theater
June 30 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues

*With Special Guests Til Death Do Us Part.

HIPPIEFEST TOUR 2018 TO ROLL INTO TOWN ON “MAGIC” BUS FILLED WITH HALCYON DAY HIT MAKERS INCLUDING VANILLA FUDGE, RICK DERRINGER, MITCH RYDER & THE DETROIT WHEELS AND BADFINGER FEATURING JOEY MOLLAND BEGINNING IN JULY

Posted by RockStarPR on May 7, 2018   |   Comments Off on HIPPIEFEST TOUR 2018 TO ROLL INTO TOWN ON “MAGIC” BUS FILLED WITH HALCYON DAY HIT MAKERS INCLUDING VANILLA FUDGE, RICK DERRINGER, MITCH RYDER & THE DETROIT WHEELS AND BADFINGER FEATURING JOEY MOLLAND BEGINNING IN JULY

April 4, 2018

HIPPIEFEST TOUR 2018 TO ROLL INTO TOWN ON “MAGIC” BUS
FILLED WITH HALCYON DAY HIT MAKERS INCLUDING VANILLA FUDGE,
RICK DERRINGER, MITCH RYDER & THE DETROIT WHEELS
AND BADFINGER FEATURING JOEY MOLLAND BEGINNING IN JULY

Hey man, what’s happenin’?

We’ll tell you what’s happenin’… HIPPIEFEST 2018!

Flower power is back and it’s coming your way!

It’s peace, love, happiness and an evening full of great music that has stood the test of time.

Come July, you’ll have a chance to let your freak flags fly, once again, as the immensely popular Hippiefest tour — featuring Vanilla Fudge, Rick Derringer, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels and Badfinger featuring Joey Molland — returns to celebrate an incredible era in music and American culture.

We’re not ones to keep you hangin’ on!

Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo!

Good Golly Miss Molly!

If you want it, here it is, come and get it!

Hippiefest is celebrating its ninth tour this year with greatest hits that span the generations.

Vanilla Fudge was one of the first American groups to infuse psychedelia into a heavy rock sound to create “psychedelic symphonic rock,” an eclectic genre which would, among its many offshoots, eventually morph into heavy metal. Although, at first, the band did not record original material, they were best known for their dramatic, heavy, slowed-down arrangements of contemporary pop songs which they developed into works of epic proportions. In 1967, the band, formerly known as The Pigeons, changed their name to Vanilla Fudge and the rest is history. It wasn’t long before the band — featuring organist/vocalist Mark Stein, guitarist/vocalist Vince Martell, drummer/vocalist Carmine Appice and bassist/vocalist Tim Bogert — was touring extensively behind its covers-heavy, jam-oriented, self-titled debut album, Vanilla Fudge, to expand their fan base. It was released the day after the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album (6/2/1967) and quickly rose up the charts to #4 without the aid of a big hit single. In 1968, the group performed their heavy-rocking, trippy, psychedelic version of The Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” on The Ed Sullivan Show and released their second album, The Beat Goes On, that also escalated into the Top 20. The band toured with Jimi Hendrix, played dates equal-billed or headlined with groups such as Cream, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, among many others; late in the year, they toured with the fledgling Led Zeppelin as their opening act. Over the years, the band (now consisting of Stein, Martell, Appice and eight-year member, bassist/vocalist Pete Bremy) has continued to perform and record together. In 2016, they released their most recent studio CD, titled Spirit of ’67. Last year, Vanilla Fudge celebrated their 50th Anniversary!

When guitar slinger Rick Derringer breaks into his legendary rock anthem, “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” you’ll likely see many an air guitar in the audience. Now more than four decades after its release, the hugely popular hit continues to be a staple on classic rock radio and has been featured in several movies over the years including the Richard Linklater cult classic, Dazed and Confused, and other flicks including The Spirit of ’76, Rush, Stag and What A Girl Wants. It’s a little known fact that before his success as a solo artist, Rick had a band at the age of 17 called The McCoys that had a #1 hit in 1965 called “Hang on Sloopy.” Yep, that’s Rick! The song would eventually be knocked out of the top spot by the Beatles’ “Yesterday.” In 1966, Rick and the band would find themselves opening up for the Rolling Stones on their entire American tour. Although “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” was written and recorded a few years earlier with friend and legendary guitarist Johnny Winter, it would be Rick’s solo version in 1973 that would propel him into the stratosphere of rock stardom. In 1977, Rick appeared on Led Zeppelin’s last North American tour. In the years to follow, Rick would perform with such artists as Alice Cooper (“Under My Wheels”), Steely Dan (“Show Biz Kids” and “Chained Lightning”), Richie Havens, Edgar Winter, Johnny Winter and Weird Al Yankovic among others. In the past few years, Rick has performed on a variety of package tours including Rock’n’Blues Fest, Rock Legends and Hippiefest.

The hits began for Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels at the tail end of ’65, with the release of their first hit single, “Jenny Take a Ride!”. In 1966, they recorded and began to perform a medley featuring Little Richard’s “Jenny Jenny” and Chuck Willis’ classic R&B song, “C.C. Rider.” The song would quickly enter the Top Ten charts, setting the stage for what was to come that year. Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels would follow up their initial hit with two more in ’66 including a rendition of the Righteous Brothers’ “Little Latin Lupe Lu” and the song that would, ultimately, be their biggest hit, “Devil With A Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly.” A year later, in typical Detroit fashion, Mitch and the band kept their pedal to the metal and delivered another Top Ten song called “Sock It To Me-Baby!” At the end of 1979, Bruce Springsteen would pay tribute to the band by performing the “Detroit Medley,” a selection of the band’s greatest hits including “Devil With A Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly,” “Jenny Take A Ride!” and “C.C. Rider” for the triple live No Nukes album. In 1983, Mitch released an album titled, Never Kick A Sleeping Dog, produced by John Cougar Mellencamp that thrust him back into the spotlight with the Prince-penned song, “When You Were Mine.” Mitch has recorded over two dozen albums in his illustrious career and continues to tour all over the world. Known for his incredible live show, Mitch will be bringing all his hits in a night to remember.

If you’re aware of such classic rock songs as “Come and Get It,” “No Matter What,” “Day After Day” and “Baby Blue,” then you’ll thoroughly enjoy the Hippiefest performance of Badfinger featuring Joey Molland. A veteran of Hippiefests past, Molland returns with the music he helped make famous. At the end of 1969, Joey auditioned for a band called The Iveys that would soon be renamed Badfinger. As they say, the rest is history. From 1970 to 1972, the band would experience four consecutive worldwide hits. Joey departed in 1974, quickly forming another band called Natural Gas that would go on to tour with Yes and Peter Frampton. In the years to follow, Joey would perform with various incarnations of Badfinger in addition to putting out a few solo projects. Due to its use in the finale of the hugely popular TV show, Breaking Bad, “Baby Blue” has had a recent resurgence of sorts, being introduced to a whole new audience and generation. In late March of 2015, a song Joey wrote years ago titled, “Sweet Tuesday Morning,” was released on iTunes to benefit WhyHunger, a grassroots support organization started by the late, great Harry Chapin. Recorded by Mary Ramsey (10,000 Maniacs) and a new songstress by the name of Savannah, the song features Joey on guitar and harmony vocals. He continues to enjoy performing the hits for fans all year long.

Sure, the long hair may be gone… but we all know the music lives on!

Here’s your chance to show your kids (and their kids) what you’ve been talking about all these years!

Relive the past with the new generation… no shoes, no shirt, no problem!

And remember, just like great music, tie-dye never goes out of style!

Come out and enjoy the fun in an evening to remember!

*If you’d like to interview one of the artists regarding the tour or need additional press materials, please contact Jeff Albright / The Albright Entertainment Group at rockstarpr@aol.com.

*All tour dates to be announced soon.

OFFICIAL ARTIST WEBSITES

www.vanillafudge.com

www.rickderringer.com

www.mitchryder.net

www.badfingersite.com

“ROCKIN’ THE CITY OF ANGELS” 396-PAGE BOOK FEATURES BEST OF SoCAL CONCERTS IN THE 70’S INCLUDING A DOZEN MAJOR SHOWS AT THE “FABULOUS” FORUM!

Posted by RockStarPR on November 20, 2017   |   Comments Off on “ROCKIN’ THE CITY OF ANGELS” 396-PAGE BOOK FEATURES BEST OF SoCAL CONCERTS IN THE 70’S INCLUDING A DOZEN MAJOR SHOWS AT THE “FABULOUS” FORUM!

October 18, 2017

“Rock Gods were the musicians whose legends loomed larger than life,
deities to fans who worshipped at their alters. They roamed the continents
in the 1970s: some, like the Who and the Rolling Stones, starting the decade
with established careers; others, such as Led Zeppelin and AC/DC, building
their huge followings as the decade progressed. Closely coupled with these
legends, a new class of gifted rock entertainers, including Queen, David Bowie,
Alice Cooper, and Elton John commanded the stage. These consummate
showmen held audiences in rapt attention, thrilling them with their dynamic
stage presence, theatrical stagecraft, and phenomenal vocal prowess.
Legions knew these artists’ names, followed them in the press, and scrambled
to get tickets to their sold-out tours, reveling in the glory of their stage
spectacles and the extraordinary personas at the heart of them.”

— Author Doug Harr, Page One of Rockin’ the City of Angels —

DOUG HARR’S NEW BOOK, “ROCKIN’ THE CITY OF ANGELS,”
TAKES READERS ON A ROCK AND ROLL ROAD TRIP THROUGH THE SEVENTIES,
PROVIDING A FRONT ROW PERSPECTIVE TO THE BEST CONCERTS OF
THE DECADE AT A VARIETY OF VENUES THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

THE ROLLING STONES, ALICE COOPER, DAVID BOWIE, PAUL MCCARTNEY & WINGS,
THE EAGLES, LED ZEPPELIN AND FLEETWOOD MAC ARE JUST A FEW OF THE LEGENDARY
ARTISTS WHOSE MEMORABLE PERFORMANCES AT THE “FABULOUS” FORUM IN LOS ANGELES
DURING THE 70’S ARE IMMORTALIZED IN 396-PAGE BOOK, “ROCKIN’ THE CITY OF ANGELS”

It was the early seventies and rock and roll was firing on all cylinders.

In 1972, Bowie became “Ziggy,” Alice had “School’s Out,” Led Zeppelin was on the loose after “IV” and The Who were hoping everyone would “Join Together” with the band.

Oh yeah… and a southern California kid by the name of Doug Harr would have his ears glued to such radio stations as 95.5 KLOS, 93 KHJ and “the mighty MET,” 94.7 KMET, daydreaming of the next concert coming to town.

Hot on the heels of their Exile on Main Street release in May, one of rock’s greatest bands were hitting the road and coming to the “fabulous” Forum in Los Angeles, California on June 11… not for one show that day, but two! One in the afternoon and one at night.

That particular show by the Rolling Stones would mark the first of a dozen major concerts making their way to the “fabulous” Forum in the seventies.

“The band skipped over their early hits and played songs mostly from the 1968-1972 period, cranking out hits like “Gimme Shelter,” “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “Street Fighting Man,” writes Harr, who has authored a new book, titled Rockin’ the City of Angels – Celebrating the Great Rock Shows of the 1970s – In Concert, On Record, and On Film that features this particular concert experience and many others from the decade (including all of the aforementioned).

While many southern California venues such as the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Long Beach Arena, Universal Amphitheater, Shrine Auditorium, Civic Auditorium Center in Santa Monica, Dodger Stadium, Anaheim Stadium, Whiskey a Go Go and Roxy Theater are featured/highlighted in the book, other Forum (Inglewood, CA) shows featured in the book include:

Jethro Tull – A Passion Play Tour (July 20-22, 1973)
Alice Cooper – Welcome to My Nightmare Tour (June 16-18, 1975)
Cat Stevens – Numbers/Majikat Tour (February 2, 1976)
David Bowie – Station to Station Tour (February 8, 9 and 11, 1976)
Paul McCartney & Wings – Wings Over the World Tour (June 21, 1976)
Eagles – Hotel California Tour (October 19-21, 1976)
Genesis – Wind & Wuthering Tour (March 24, 1977)
Supertramp – Even in the Quietest Moments Tour (April 28, 1977)
Led Zeppelin – Presence Tour (June 23, 1977)
Queen – News of the World Tour (December 22, 1977)
Fleetwood Mac – Tusk Tour (December 4-6, 1979)

This month marks the 41st Anniversary of the Eagles’ three-night stand at the Forum during their Hotel California tour. Shows so sonically pleasing that some of the songs recorded those nights subsequently appeared on the band’s very first live album, Eagles Live, accounting for five of the fifteen featured tracks.

Paul McCartney & Wings started off the summer in fine fashion that year with two-performances at the Forum on June 21 and 22 that marked Paul’s first live performances in Los Angeles since the Beatles performed at Dodger Stadium ten years prior in 1966.

“The Wings Over the World tour of 1975-1976 attracted massive audiences and was one of the most successful tours of that time; it is also a personal favorite,” comments Doug. “The stop at the Los Angeles Forum on June 21, 1976, was just one of many dates in North America and it was a fabulous night of rock ‘n’ roll.”

The following year, Led Zeppelin came into town, performing an incredible six-night stand at the Forum during their Presence tour.

“Led Zeppelin, the mightiest rock band of the 1970s, was the soundtrack to my life in Los Angeles.”

396 pages. 34 chapters featuring just as many artists. More than 500 images captured by some of rock’s greatest photographers.

Elton John, AC/DC, Yes, Heart, Pink Floyd, Electric Light Orchestra, Rush and others are “here” as well!

So many great shows. So many memorable experiences.

If you were able to see one of rock’s greatest artists on tour in the seventies, then you know just how lucky you were to witness the spectacle.

If you only dreamed about what it was like, then your rock ‘n’ roll day has come with the arrival of Rockin’ the City of Angels, a book that captures some of the biggest and best shows to ever land in the Southland.

If you never had that opportunity, Rockin’ the City of Angels gives you those front row seats you wish you had! Call the tome — nearly the size of an LP cover — a wonderful perspective from both a true fan’s point of view and the photographer’s pit.

Doug has now attended over 400 shows during his lifetime and it should come as no surprise that he still gets excited about great shows coming to town.

Long live rock.

If you’d like to interview author Doug Harr, Please contact Jeff Albright / The Albright Entertainment Group at rockstarpr@aol.com.

SPECIAL NOTE: Rockin’ the City of Angels makes for a terrific holiday gift for any music fan and is available at Amazon (http://tinyurl.com/Amazon-RTCOA). If you run something featuring the book as a gift, please note that this December marks the 40th Anniversary of Queen’s performance at the Forum during their News of the World Tour (12/22) and the 50th Anniversary of the venue, itself (12/30). It also marks the 38th Anniversary of Fleetwood Mac’s performance at the Forum during their Tusk Tour (12/4 – 12/6). Thank you.

“This book celebrates more than thirty of these incredible performances including key
tours by bands such as Led Zeppelin, Queen, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Genesis, Heart,
Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, The Who and Yes. We’ll share memories of those legendary concerts
and my reviews of the best video documents of the era, each band illuminated by a hand-picked
collection of brilliant images — some never-before seen — by the best photo-journalists of that time.”

— Doug Harr —

ACT 1 – “Rock Gods & Entertainers”

The Who kicks off the seventies decade with a featured performance at Anaheim Stadium on June 14, 1970 during their “Tommy” Tour. What follows in that chapter are performances and tours by The Rolling Stones (“Exile on Main Street” Tour: the L.A. Forum appearance was 45 years ago this month on June 11, 1972), Alice Cooper (“Welcome to My Nightmare” Tour), Jethro Tull (“A Passion Play” Tour), Elton John (“Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy” Tour), David Bowie (“Station to Station” Tour), Wings (“Wings Over the World” Tour), Queen (“News of the World” Tour), Led Zeppelin (“Presence” Tour), Styx (“Pieces of Eight” Tour) and AC/DC (“Highway to Hell” Tour).

ACT 2 – “Shamans, Storytellers & Mellow Rockers”

This section highlights the performances and tours of Genesis (“The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” Tour), Cat Stevens (“Numbers/Majikat” Tour), Ambrosia (“Somewhere I’ve Never Traveled” Tour), Yes (“Relayer” Tour), Eagles (“Hotel California” Tour), Supertramp (“Even in the Quietest Moments” Tour), Heart (“Little Queen” Tour), Kansas (“Point of Know Return” Tour), Fleetwood Mac (“Tusk” Tour: the last featured tour of the 70’s in this book – December 4-6, 1979) and Pink Floyd (1980’s “The Wall” Tour).

ACT 3 – “Virtuoso’s & Classical Rockers”

This section features the performances and tours of Frank Zappa and Mothers, Rick Wakeman, Emerson, Lake & Palmer (“Brain Salad Surgery” Tour), King Crimson (“Starless and Bible Black” Tour), Premiata Forneria Marconi (“The World Became the World” Tour), Gentle Giant (“The Power and the Glory” Tour), Camel (“The Snow Goose” Tour), Happy The Man (“Crafty Hands” Tour), Electric Light Orchestra (“Out of the Blue” Tour), Rush (“Hemispheres” Tour), Dixie Dregs (“Night of the Living Dregs” Tour), Kate Bush (“Lionheart” Tour) and the band, U.K. (“Night After Night” Tour).

IV – “Encore”

This section features additional photos and commentary on the band Genesis along with the solo efforts of the band’s individual members – Phillips, Collins, Banks and Rutherford – and a sole section about Peter Gabriel.

Featured Photographers

Richard E. Aaron
Jorgen Angel
Martyn Dean
Ian Dickson
Armando Gallo
Stacey Katsis
Neal Preston
Jim Summaria
Lisa Tanner
Brian Weiner
Neil Zlozower

Social Media

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/rockinthecityofangels/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RockinCOA
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/rockinthecityofangels/

Book Facts

AUTHOR: DOUGLAS HARR
ART DIRECTOR AND DESIGNER: TILMAN REITZLE
COPY EDITOR: COURTNEY LEE ADAMS
EDITOR: MIKE EDISON
FOREWORD: ARMANDO GALLO
PUBLISHER: DIEGO SPADE PRODUCTIONS, INC.

HARDCOVER: 396 PAGES / OVER 500 IMAGES
DIMENSIONS: 11″ x 11″ x 1.5″ (nearly the size of an LP cover!)
PRICE: $79.95 (about the price of four great face-value seats to a show in the 70’s!)

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ONE AND ONLY DENNIS DEYOUNG, WHO’LL BE CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RELEASE OF STYX’ “GRAND ILLUSION” (7/7/77) BY PERFORMING THE EPIC ALBUM IN ITS ENTIRETY AT THE ARCADA THEATRE IN ST. CHARLES, ILLINOIS ON FRIDAY, JULY 7

Posted by RockStarPR on July 7, 2017   |   Comments Off on CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ONE AND ONLY DENNIS DEYOUNG, WHO’LL BE CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RELEASE OF STYX’ “GRAND ILLUSION” (7/7/77) BY PERFORMING THE EPIC ALBUM IN ITS ENTIRETY AT THE ARCADA THEATRE IN ST. CHARLES, ILLINOIS ON FRIDAY, JULY 7

Dennis DeYoung is a founding member of STYX and the lead singer and writer on seven of the band’s eight Top Ten hits. His live concerts showcase all the STYX Greatest Hits spanning the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. The set includes all eight Top Ten hits including “Lady,” “Babe,” “Come Sail Away,” “Too Much Time on My Hands,” “Best of Times” and “Mr. Roboto” along with the Classic Rock anthems “Renegade,” “Blue Collar Man,” “Suite Madame Blue,” “Rockin’ the Paradise” and more. Dennis is a legendary singer, songwriter, keyboardist, composer and record producer with a career spanning five decades. His voice is one of the most recognizable in the music world today and he continues to inspire new generations of fans. All the hits… All the memories… One unforgettable evening… One original voice.

www.dennisdeyoung.com

Note: We proudly represented STYX in the 90’s! Many a memorable moment and show!