Secrets of Lennon's FBI Files

The FBI agreed yesterday to make public the final 10 documents about the surveillance of John Lennon that it had withheld for 25 years on the grounds that releasing them could cause "military retaliation against the United States." Here are some of the more intriguing facts the U.S. tried to keep secret:

● John’s favorite color was not blue as reported in the June 1963 issue of Tiger Beat Magazine, but was in fact orange.

● While former manager Brian Epstein was known as the fifth Beatle, inside the group, John was known as the fourth Beatle.

● If you play “Why Don’t We Do It in the Road?” backwards, you can clearly hear John singing, “Be sure to drink your Ovaltine”.

● Paul really is dead. After the Ram album, with the help of a plastic surgeon and a vocal coach, he was replaced by Shawn Cassidy.

● The whole peace-loving hippy persona was a cover story dreamt up by the FBI and Lennon so that he could snitch out those actually attempting to overthrow the U.S. Government: Donovan, Tiny Tim and Sha Na Na.

- Corny O'Connell

Phormer Phish Phrontman Phoiled

Oh, the embarassment! Trey's real name is Ernest!

Who knew? Trey Anastasio, the tie-dyed t-shirt wearing former frontman of the psychedelic jam band Phish, likes to catch a buzz now and again. According to the Times Union of Albany, New York, Trey was stopped by police this morning allegedly in possession of an assortment of prescription medications including hydrocodone, Percocet and Xanax, which were prescribed for another person. Naughty, naughty Trey. According to police, Anastasio was pulled over for failing to keep right. Failing to keep right? Trey, your street cred just went through the roof! Step aside Snoop Dogg. There's a new badass in town.

- Corny O'Connell

Rich Conaty: Danny Stiles & The Lost Monologue!

I was invited to be among the guests honoring Danny Stiles for his 59th anniversary in radio. Historically, I've been billed as attending, with a variety of spellings of my surname, whether or not I was invited or had any intention of going. This year, I got a call from Danny himself. Danny has warmed up to me in recent times, and I appreciate it. For the longest time, his on-air position had been that he was the only guy playing old records. That ignored me, "college radio" doesn't count, but, significantly, Joe Franklin, who more or less invented the genre in the 1940s. Nowadays, Danny is unfailingly gracious, and frequently mentions me on his broadcasts.

My in-person introduction to Danny was probably at the Red Blazer Too on Third Avenue and 88th Street. They advertised on his WEVD show, and he was there frequently. The Blazer was the first spot Vince Giordano's Nighthawks played regularly. The group wasn't Danny's favorite, he was a big band guy, but he'd come in, get on stage, and sometimes do trivia questions. For somebody who's been in front of the public since the 1940s, Danny tends to be a little, ah, abrupt with audiences. They're not paying attention, they can't name the "Dead End Kid" he's after, etc. This was true the other night at his party. "Quiet! Nobody's listening! Can anybody hear me?"

Danny's 59th anniversary was held at John's Pizzeria on West 44th, a handsome, cavernous place. It was absurdly overbooked, the food was slow in coming, and Danny's mostly 55+ crowd was used to "Earlybird Special" hours.

Joe Franklin was in and out, but I stayed, and had a nice chat with "Uncle Floyd" Vivino, who was a guest on "The Big Broadcast" more than twenty years ago. I was on his show in 1984, presenting him with WNEW's 50th Anniversary book. (I've posted the picture.) He still listens, which was nice to hear.

In the course of the evening, Danny brought up his guests. Joe Franklin paid his respects, Floyd was a riot, Chuck (The Bayonne Bleeder) Wepner was a no-show. I was a "show," but not called up, which was a shame, because I'd written a killer monologue:

"Thank you! (Wait for applause to subside.) Thank you for pretending to know who I am. (Laughs.) Don't worry, even I've never heard of me! (More laughs.) You've heard of "The Vicar of Vintage," "The King of Nostalgia." I'm "The Sultan of Surface Noise."

I'm honored to be here tonight. No way was I going to miss this. Fifty-Nine years! Amazing. I've been on the radio thirty-five years. (Smattering of applause.) This is the only place people still call me "the kid." (Bewildered laughs.)

I remember the first time I heard Danny on the radio. I got so excited I fell out of my stroller! (Danny's not amused.)

I bring you greeting from my "Big Broadcast" listeners. Les Paul called last night to wish you a happy anniversary. (That's true.) And I got a call from (a radio personality I won't put in print). He wanted to be here, but his hair hasn't come back from the cleaners. (Silence. Too many rugs in the house.)

Seriously. (As if that were needed.) Danny Stiles is a major figure in radio. He has been a special part of our lives for all our lives. (Ahhhhhh.) May you continue to share with us the music that matters. Thank you and God Bless! (Warm embrace.)

I'm bringing it with me for Danny's 60th. Just in case.

Rich Conaty

Claudia: Somebody should Slap Ben Brantley

On a good day, I feel for Ben Brantley. Today, however, I want to kick him in the shins. His snotty review has killed “High Fidelity.”

Oh, I know, other critics weren’t exactly charitable. But Brantley, the big-time, NYT reviewer, shot the sucker right between the eyes. And he should be ashamed. This was a show that was truly a ton of fun -- and now it’s closing this Sunday. And I’m pissed. Especially because I was SO SURPRISED to have enjoyed it so much!

After all, how could a Broadway musical possibly hold a candle to the film? Actor John Cusak was never better than in the lead role of the lovelorn music store owner. Jack Black’s career was made by his performance here – and Tim Robbins’ cameo as an obnoxious rebound Romeo deserves some kind of special award.

I fully expected to DETEST the Broadway version. But I was won over by the charismatic, lead actor, Will Chase, the inventive staging and yes, even the score – not the strongest on Broadway, but one which perfectly serves it purpose.

Critics can complain that this music can’t compete with treasured tracks celebrated by Hornsby’s book and featured in the film. True, of course. But it shouldn’t – and doesn’t – attempt to! Rather it riffs on many different styles of music, sending up Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and Lyle Lovett. The Indigo Girls are name checked as are Belle and Sebastian. And one scene is played out several times in several different musical styles – with an hysterical satire of a rap video. My unscientific survey of fellow audience members found one complaint about foul language, but even the grannies were smiling. Now that’s an accomplishment for any show. It pleased the dentu-crème set – and the hard-core music fan alike.

And believe me, as a card-carrying music snob, I am sworn to detest stuff of this ilk. So here I am, putting my street cred on the line to say – this show does NOT suck!

Where does Brantley get off spoiling the fun for so many? He has every right to complain about the recent parade of crappy jukebox-i-cals and films-icles. The problem is, High Fidelity isn’t one of them. And in venting his frustration on this particular production, he has done a disservice to the many music fans who might just venture to a Broadway show (gasp!) and (shock!) actually enjoy it!

Coincidentally, the very production Brantely and his fellow old-media critics currently hail for breathing new life into this hidebound old institution of the Broadway musical sent me and my hubby scurrying to the exits at intermission!

So painful, juvenile and heavy-handed is the new-to-Broadway show, “Spring Awakening,” I barely made it through the first act. In spite of a great score from Duncan Sheik, this moldy-old story about the pain of growing up mystified me. I get it: being a horny teenager sucks. That just does not a Broadway musical make, no matter how many cast members you have masturbating on stage.

In any case, if you have any inclination to blow a few bucks on a Broadway show – I can recommend “High Fidelity” – but you better get moving, because Brantley’s assassination will effectively kill the show Sunday. R.I.P., High Fidelity. You deserved better.

Claudia

Blonde on Blonde: XXX

Pop stars beware! Porn stars are trying to sexploit your good names.

I was shocked to learn today that Grammy-winning pop singer Mariah Carey has been forced to take legal action to prevent porn star Mary Carey from trademarking her similar-sounding name. How could anyone be expected to tell the difference between the two?

M. Carey.......or.......M. Carey?

I spent the entire weekend watching videos from both Mariah ("Glitter", "Honey") and Mary ("Boobsville Sorority Girls", "Bosom Buddies 6") in a vain attempt to distiguish between the two performers.

If Mary Carey is allowed to cash in on Mariah Carey's good name, what will stop other porn stars from doing the same? Kate Bush beware! Joe Cocker take heed! Leon Redbone, Kurtis Blow, Marcia Ball there's a porn star after your name. Please, someone warn the estate of Woody Guthrie.

- Corny O'Connell

Darren remembers 26 years ago

It's hard to believe that it has been 26 years, December 8, that John Lennon was murdered. It's a day I remember well. It was a mild, damp Monday night. I was big into the Doors then. December 8 is Jim Morrison's birthday. I was listening to a commercial rock radio station play the top ten Doors songs (at 10PM) as voted on by its listeners (I voted for "The End," which was number one). The Patriots were playing on Monday Night Football (at least I seem to remember they were). I hate the Patriots. The 11:00 news came on and at the end, the news broke, but I went to bed not aware that John had died...just that he'd been shot.

I wasn't concerned. John Lennon couldn't possibly die. I heard the bad news when I awoke in the morning. I tuned into WINS as I made myself breakfast. I remember going cold. I was in my second year in high school. That week, I cried a lot. I kept a scrapbook, which hopefully is still around somewhere, of the newspaper coverage. I had my parents drive me down to the Dakota that Friday after school. I left a flower for the doorman to give to Yoko. The vigil was that Sunday afternoon...ten minutes of silence centered from Central Park. John and Yoko's album Double Fantasy had just come out a few weeks earlier. It was such a great time. It was terrific to have them back. These were John's first new songs in five and a half years. Six for Yoko. John's "(Just Like) Starting Over" was a hit. Then those shots were fired.

Darren DeVivo
12/7/06

Claudia sees a ghost - a cherry ghost - and mixes her musical references

Rita’s smile was a mile wide as she announced his arrival. And she zeroed in on it right away. He was wearing suede pants, laced up the sides and the front. A snappy dresser, a confident, full grown man. (see the song, ‘Full Grown Man”) And believe me, he looked GOOD.

I didn’t expect it. In fact, I didn’t expect to see him alive again. It wasn’t until after the interview that I allowed myself to get a little teary, but I was feeling deeply emotional throughout.

It is truly a miracle that Alejandro Escovedo isn’t dead. He was ravaged by Hepatitis C and when that didn’t kill him, the Interferon treatment almost did. We heard nothing about him for months at a time and I would play his CDs on the radio, wondering how he was doing, feeling helpless and uninformed.

I had only met Alejandro once, but he made quite an impression. He is a man whose honesty and integrity draws you in immediately. I interviewed him a few years ago about his project, “With These Hands”. I felt we connected. So to see him again – it was almost like seeing a ghost.

Later, I reflected about his willingness to discuss his illness – something so, private. I felt slightly awkward raising all these questions about such a personal struggle, live on the radio. I think I even tripped over his name once. He was wonderfully gracious and if he noticed my discomfort, he didn't let on.

Not only has Alejandro Escovedo triumphed over a near-fatal illness, his CD, The Boxing Mirror, has been hailed as the best of a career that is already critically lauded. And Friday night can only be a triumph for him, playing Carnegie’s groovy space, Zankel Hall.

Trust me: go – if only to see what he wears!!

P.S. When the band arrived yesterday, we were in a meeting (yes, radio people have boring meetings, too – only maybe just a little LESS boring because we’re arguing about music half the time!). We glanced up to see an entire crowd of clearly COOL looking people fill the anteroom. Rock and roll had arrived at our door. I LOVE MY JOB!

Corny's Concern: When was the last time you got funked up?

Check out this local New York City group I came across recently, The Sugarman 3

"Chicken Half"

"Take It As It Come"

Most of their material is instrumental funky soul à la Booker T & the MGs, James Brown and Pete Belasco (what ever happened to him?).

You can catch The Sugarman 3 this Friday night Dec. 8 as part of the Daptone Super Soul Revue at
Southpaw
125 Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718-230-0236
http://www.spsounds.com/

- Corny

Nothing shines like a Diamond

Last year's Rick Rubin-produced 12 Songs from Neil Diamond was everything I had hoped it to be. The stripped down setting allowed the songs to connect on a personal level, not to mention that these were some of the best lyrics Neil had written in some time.

Next Tuesday, a special edition of the album will be released with a bonus disc of demo versions of all of the songs called Artist's Cut- 12 Sketches.

As if that wasn't enough to get excited about, word has come down that Rubin and the mighty Neil have agreed to work again on another album. It could be covers, all new songs, some kind of mix, but it's gonna happen, baby!

You know, some days the bastards get ya down, but one thing remains true. Neil Diamond will be there to pick you up. Every time.

Bless his sideburns.

- Russ