There is nothing like a Grateful Dead show. The music, the feeling that you experience at their concerts is the most original cosmic force existent.
This magazine does an incredible job in 100 pages of capturing and documenting the 48 years of America’s greatest band. It’s a tremendous value at $11.99 to have a well curated, cross-functional collection of excerpted articles from the original pages of Rolling Stone Magazine.
I urge you to buy a copy of this special collectors edition for your very own. The photographs by Jay Blakesberg, Herb Greene, Baron Wolman, Jim Marshall and others beautifully articulate the halcyon era of Rock’s Longest Strangest Trip.
I learned earlier that Scott McKenzie passed away this weekend. A statement on McKenzie’s website says the 73-year-old died on Saturday in Los Angeles. McKenzie battled Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a disease that affects the nervous system.
He sang the song that defined my generation and the Summer of Love in San Francisco, ”San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” which became a huge hit in 1967.
The song was written by John Phillips of The Mamas and The Papas. It was written and released in June 1967 to promote the Monterey Pop Festival. Scott McKenzie was good friends with John Phillips and was asked to join The Mamas and The Papas but he declined John’s offer.
I love his voice and the eternal feeling contained within this song. It always moves me every time I hear it. Truly sad today that he is gone. Truly happy for where his soul journeys.
Presented by McAfee
The Giants invite you to the ballpark to celebrate the 70th Birthday of legendary musician and San Francisco Native Jerry Garcia! Garcia was born in San Francisco on August 1, 1942, and grew up in the city’s Excelsior District, before becoming a founding member of the iconic rock band The Grateful Dead. AT&T Park will be rocking with pre-game music on the field, compliments of the band Moonalice and entertainment, featuring some of Jerry’s most famous hits throughout his illustrious career. Your special event ticket package includes a seat in one of the Jerry Garcia 70th Birthday Bash sections for the August 1st game against the New York Mets, and a special birthday-edition Jerry Garcia bobble head! Ticket proceeds will be donated to the Rex Foundation, along with other non-profits affiliated with The Grateful Dead! Come support a great cause and help us celebrate the birthday of one of San Francisco’s biggest legends!
I was thinking about San Francisco today.I often transport myself there. The music I played in the car today was recorded in San Francisco at Bill Graham’sFillmore Auditorium in 1968, Cheap Thrills, Big Brother & The Holding Company. The album cover was drawn by underground cartoonist, R. Crumb. The liner notes for the remastered edition has photographs by the late Jim Marshall.
I was browsing my Facebook stream this afternoon when I happened upon a very cool picture posted by Robert Altman.
There was a photo from a 1985 book on the San Francisco music scene of famed poster artist Stanley Mouse taken by the great rock photographer Jim Marshall. The copy of this book is from autograph collecter Matt Tadevich. Mouse took the time to add his touch.
I love the synergy of San Francisco’s music, Janis and Big Brother, Bill Graham, R. Crumb, Stanley Mouse, Robert Altman and Jim Marshall, who figures in both references.
My favorite Quicksilver Messenger Service recording is Just For Love. It’s a trippy, surrealistic series of songs that say flower power, Haight-Ashbury and psychedelia to me. I am especially fond of the cover art as displayed in this vinyl fold out image.
Metallica continues to knock the cover off the ball, 30 years on . They have taken up a week-long residency in San Francisco (their hometown) at The Fillmore. They are celebrating their 30th anniversary as a band. Metallica is performing for their fan club members for four nights, 12/5, 12/7, 12/9, and 12/10. The guest star list so far has been fantastic, ranging from Jason Newsted rejoining them on Monday night to Kid Rock, Marianne Faithful, Biff Byford from Saxon to just name a few.
I must applaud Metallica for how well they treat and care about their fans. To attend the concerts you had to enter and win a lottery, travel and transportation was up to you. Fans are coming in from all over the world. I am reading about Monday night’s show, learning about how Lars Ulrich is hanging with the audience, how they invited another fan up to shred with them, who else does that these days. The mutual love between Metallica and its fans is strong and genuine.
Listen to one fan shout out, “Oh My God, We’re Not Worthy” in the video below and you’ll get my drift.
I can only imagine what that is like at The Fillmore, a 1200 person venue as I have seen Metallica rip the roof off at the Garden. The night we saw them at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary (2009) the stage looked like a city block of stacked with amplifiers and equipment. When they played they lifted me right out of my seat, they cranked it up so loud and crushing (which I loved). The Fillmore block must be quaking if you don’t mind my saying.
It’s important to point out that those fans who were narrow-minded in their reactions to Lulu, Metallica is more than that single collaboration. I like Lulu and I believe in what the music accomplishes strongly. I got a kick out of Lars Ulrich’s tongue in cheek comment after Metallica and Lou Reed played three songs from Lulu. ”If you’re not nice, we’ll play the whole thing,” Ulrich cracked.
Can’t wait to read about last night’s and tonight’s shows. Metallica you rule!
I wish I had more wall space in my house to accommodate rock poster art. I have several rock posters hanging on my walls that I really enjoy looking at and studying for hours.
What brought this subject more into focus today were two points of intersection. I was looking at the Europe ’72 Vol. 2 CD on the Grateful Dead Web site. The new artwork from my favorite poster artist, Stanley Mouse for the Europe ’72 Vol. 2 CD, (which releases on September 20, 2011), captured my imagination once more.
I began to browse more about Stanley Mouse’s art when I discovered the Rockin Roses Web site. I became enchanted with the poster art I found there by Stanley Mouse and others…
“Stanley Mouse drew and painted from inside the music. The spirit that drove the music of the ’60s was the same spirit that drove his art.” – Joel Selvin
This browsing then lead me to the American Artifact Web site which furthered my excitement when I learned that a rock poster artist documentary film by the same name had premiered last year. The DVD of the American Artifact film was for sale on their Web site and I soon placed an order for it for our movie night consumption.
I love that San Francisco serves as the origin of rock posters and also has The Rock Poster Society (TRPS) where you can become a member. I think I might join this fine organization in celebration of my 60th birthday later this year. I’d love to be able to attend the TRPS Festival of Rock Posters event held on October Saturday October 8th, 2011 at the Hall of Flowers in Golden Gate Park in the beautiful city of San Francisco.
As I thought further about art rock posters even more resources came to mind. I must come back to this topic again soon
I’m elated to see the prolific Ray Manzarek creating and releasing new music and poetry in the form of some exciting grooves for us to enjoy.
Two new works of Ray’s are coming sharply into focus. The first recording is Translucent Blues a collaboration between Ray Manzarek and Roy Rogers. Translucent Blues is due to be released next week on Tuesday, May 24th on Blind Pig Records.
I’ve only been able to sample Translucent Blues as I haven’t found a full listening edition available anywhere on the Web yet. Based on the sample tracks and mp3 download I’ve heard the music takes on a solid groove with a gritty texture.
As a blues fan, I love the feel of this recording as it builds on the foundation of the blues and then takes us on some interesting journeys of sound, mind and dimension. I especially like the use of poetry not just from a lyrics basis but more from the standpoint of how the poetry is intertwined with the music. I love the woven artistic tapestries, which are very evident and striking throughout.
The Manzarek-Rogers band is touring in support of their new recording and we plan to see them next week at The Ridgefield Playhouse on May 25th. (See related article below)
The other work that I am eager to hear and learn more about is the next phase in the collaboration between Ray Manzarek and Michael McClure, Live in San Francisco. It was recorded live at an old wooden church which I bet had a great ambiance for their synergy. Ray Manzarek plays a Steinway piano, by far my favorite sounding piano. We own a Baldwin piano but a Steinway sounds so grandiose. The CD is due out later this year, fall 2011 would be my guess. I love Michael McClure’s poetry offset by Ray’s musicianship.
I am content that we have more to digest and discern from Ray Manzarek and friends going forward in 2011
One of the hippest rock music photographers on the scene is Jay Blakesberg. I like Jay’s fluid sense of articulation with jam band artists. I especially enjoy how he photographs Carlos Santana. I was first drawn to Jay’s photography as a Santana fan. I kept seeing Jay’s work in Santana tour programs. Jay’s camaraderie with […]
. They have taken up a week-long residency in San Francisco (their hometown) at 
I’m elated to see the prolific 
