MACHINEGUN THOMPSON: KICK OUT THE JAMS GOES TO THE MOON

I am totally blown to super nova smithereens. The really flabbergasted, slack-jawed and drooling kind of blown away. I was just surfing and dinkin’ around on the net and just for kicks I typed in “All Kick Out The Jams” on Youtube. I looked at the number of results on the top of the webpage and said to myself. “This can’t be!” there were 1,440 results! “What the f**k!”

Silverchair, Blue Oyster Cult, Pearl Jam, Presidents Of The USA, Rage Against The Machine, The Hellacopters, Monster Magnet, Jeff Buckley, Bad Brains and hundreds of others. I actually got tired of watching so many cover versions of the song, I had to come back next morning and check out a few hundred more! Just kidding…

Honestly though, I am flattered to the nine’s. I can’t even begin to tell you how great it feels to know I was involved in co-writing a world wide ROCK anthem. I really liked Presidents of the USA, Silverchair, Hellacopters, and Rage’s versions, but truth be told the deeper I went in, there were so many damn fine versions by so many young and not so young bands. I didn’t recognize the names of so many that took the effort and time to film themselves playing our song.

What an honor!

I am flattered beyond belief, but mostly I am sincerely humbled by this phenomenon. Thank you everybody for Kickin’ Them Out. I never would have dreamed when we first started playing this song way back in 1968 that it would be so dear to so many people’s hearts in the 21^st century.

WOW! Once again, I want to thank all the bands and all the listeners out there. This rockin’ universe never ceases to amaze me!

Very Gratefully Yours,

MGT

Of Course... The Original...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINO GROSS THE FUNKY D!

TINO GROSS

Tino Gross promotes everyone else...rarely if ever.. talks about himself.. He works tirelessly promoting new bands, the city, his friends and puts in countless hours in the studio..Here is a little tip of the hat to a great man and a Detroit gem...

Here's a treat video clip: ' Green Bottle' -Howling Diablos 

Headline Sold-Out Show at Fillmore (State Theatre) 

You'll recognize many of our Detroit Pals in this one!!!

HOWLING DIABLOS NEW RELEASE

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD ULTRA SONIC GAS CAN

HART COUNTY CD CLICK HERE

SHAKE RATTLE AND MOAN CD

WORSE THINGS HAVE HAPPENED CD 

DIRTY WORLD EP CLICK HERE

OFFICIAL FUNKY D RECORDS
HOWLING DIABLOS FACEBOOK  
TWEET TINO

THE MOTOR CITY'S BURNING DOCUMENTARY: BBC

 

Documentary looking at how Detroit became home to a musical revolution that captured the sound of a nation in upheaval. In the early 60s, Motown transcended Detroit's inner city to take black music to a white audience, whilst in the late 60s suburban kids like the MC5 and the Stooges descended into the black inner city to create revolutionary rock expressing the rage of young white America. With contributions from Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, George Clinton, Martha Reeves, John Sinclair and the MC5

THE ROCKETS DEC 28, 2013: KEN SETTLE PHOTOGRAPHY

JIM EDWARDS

JOHNNY BEE BADANJEK

PHIL "GREASY" CARLISI

JOEY GAYDOS

MIKE MARSHALL

DANNY TAYLOR

KEN SETTLE PHOTOGRAPHY

VIEW MORE AND PURCHASE  KEN'S IMAGES OF THE ROCKETS HERE

THE LEGEND OF DETROIT ROCK RADIO: ARTHUR PENHALLOW

Arthur Penhallow the most famous voice in Detroit Rock....

Arthur Penhallow (born December 20, 1943) legendary DJ in Detroit, Michigan who hosted afternoons on active rock station WRIF from 1970-2009.

 

Penhallow was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Before beginning his long tenure with WRIF, Art had toured with a band that played with the Mamas & the Papas, among others. Under the name "Cicero Grimes", he worked at WNRZ in Ann Arbor in 1970, and then moved to WRIF's predecessor, WXYZ-FM, which at the time was airing a syndicated progressive-rock format distributed by ABC called "Love".

Penhallow was one of the "Love" format's local announcers and stayed on as WXYZ-FM transitioned to an all-local air staff and moved from progressive rock to the then-new "album oriented rock" format as WRIF.

 Bob Seger and Arthur P

Penhallow's trademark is the saying of his name as "Arthur Penhallow, BABY", and the cry is one of WRIF's most popular bumper sticker slogans.

Penhallow regularly refers to himself as "Big Daddy Arthur P" or simply, "Big Daddy", as do others on the station. Penhallow played himself in the film The Upside of Anger.

  Arthur P

In January 2009, Penhallow's contract expired at WRIF and he was off the air for more than a month before finally releasing a statement on March 27, on his Facebook page saying: "It appears that my days in Detroit radio are over for now. Thanks for your support over the last 39 years....I shall return."

To be fair to all the greats of Detroit Rock Radio, we loved you all but Arthur P is the BIG DADDY.

SHOCKWAVE JANUARY 18!

DETROIT ROCK LEGEND: RUSS GIBB

Russ Gibb GrandeBallroom.Com

Had a fun conversation with my friend Jack Ashton the promoter from Los Angeles the other day. We were talking business mostly but the topic of Detroit Rock Impresario Russ Gibb came up...

Jack Ashton and Russ Gibb

Russ of course is the famous creator of The Grande Ballroom in Detroit, Michigan... The Grande featured local, national and international rock bands of the day... some of which were.... Cream, Jeff Beck, SRC, Thyme, Prime Movers, The Chosen Few, The UP, and Iggy and The Stooges.

The "house" band at The Grande was The MC5 (Motor City 5). The 5 were famous for being rowdy and always getting in the faces of bands who didn't bring it... or "Kick Out The Jams".

Street Sign Outside the Grande (photo by Kimmer)

"Uncle" Russ Gibb made a brilliant choice in having the MC5 as his guide to all that was cool during this time. According to many friends Russ and I have in common, it was the MC5 that picked such an eclectic group of bands that lifted The Grande Ballroom into Detroit Rock legend.

The MC5 photo: Robert Matheu

The combination of Uncle Russ, the MC5, the emcees Stanley T Madhatter, Dave Miller, famed poster artist Gary Grimshaw and the very low ticket price helped create one of the most happening places to catch a rock show in Detroit, heck maybe even the world...

The MC5 postcard photo: Leni Sinclair

"Uncle" Russ Gibb (born 1931) is a former concert promoter, and media personality from Dearborn, Michigan, probably most famous for his role in the Paul is Dead phenomenon, a story he broke as a DJ on WKNR-FM. After a visit to the Fillmore West and a talk with promoter Bill Graham, he operated Detroit's Grande Ballroom and was a major player in the late sixties/early seventies Motor City music scene. He was instrumental in giving the MC5, Ted Nugent and Iggy Pop their start. The Grande Ballroom also was where the Who played their rock opera, "Tommy," for the first time in the United States.

Gibb also owned or leased other live music venues around the Mid-West including the Eastown Ballroom, Michigan Theater . He expanded his music endeavors when he invested in Creem magazine.

ORIGINALLY POSTED HERE

ROCK PHOTOGRAPHER KEN SETTLE:MOTOWN'S STUDIO B

Ken Settle From the film archives: Many, many years ago, I wanted to go photograph what remained of the old Motown Studio B. Though everyone knows about Motown's "Hitsville" Studio A, relatively few people were familiar with Studio B on Davison near Livernois in Detroit. This was the location of Golden World Records, who had a hit with The Reflections "Just Like Romeo and Juliet." In the mid '60s, Berry Gordy purchased Golden World and turned it into Studio B. This was the place where many of the incredible Motown vocals, horns and strings were overdubbed.

Most pivotal to me, was that Marvin Gaye's vocals for the groundbreaking What's Going On masterpiece were done right here at Studio B. Studio B sat vacant for much of the time after Motown moved to L.A. and has finally been torn down. At the time that I photographed this, you could still see a very weather worn Motown Studio B sign on the side of the battered structure.

I used the old Kodak Recording Film 2475 for this photo, because I wanted the incredibly grainy results that this film gave, along with its extended red sensitivity. I became real interested in that film for a time after I learned that many of the photos of the '67 Detroit riots were shot on this film. It was one of the first high speed (ISO 1000) films ever. Every time I look at this photo, I hear Marvin Gaye singing "Mother, Mother, there's too many of you crying."

Ken Settle Photography Ken Settle Photography on Facebook 

 posted from RK 

IN MEMORIUM: LEGENDARY BANKER/PRODUCER DON DAVIS

 

 Don Davis, chairman of First Independence Bank in Detroit

PHOTO:Marcin Szczepanski/Detroit Free Press

Don Davis had his hand in so many famous hit records that I would be here for a week trying to list them.. He worked with Motown but left (thankfully so..) and went on to a career that rivaled Berry Gordy's in every way. The difference, Don stayed under the radar. (can't even find any photos online of him). It would appear that Mr. Davis did not crave attention or fame. Smart move....smart man...

As a young guitarist Don Davis played on many of the earliest Motown sessions, including the hits "Money" and Mary Wells' "Bye Bye Baby." But Hitsville was only the beginning for the writer-producer..

 Chains of Love

Davis developed his craft with stints at seminal Detroit record labels Northern, Thelma, Golden World, Ric-Tic, Revilot and his own Groovesville imprint. In 1968 he was lured to Memphis to become head of production for Motown's primary soul music competitor, Stax Records.

Billboard magazine honored Davis as its 1976 producer of the year after his records with Johnnie Taylor ("Disco Lady," the first-ever platinum single) and Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis ("You Don't Have to Be a Star") went to No. 1. Don won so many Grammy Awards...

MITCH RYDER AND DETROIT!

Charlie Auringer photo: Mitch Ryder and DETROIT

*Steve Hunter (Ld. G)*Brett Tuggle (G)*Harry Phillips (Keyboards) Frijid Pink*W. R. (Ron) Cooke (B, V) Catfish*John Badanjek (D, V) Mitch Ryder & The DetroitWheels *Ed "Dirty Ed" Okalski (Congas, Tambourine) 

 
In 1971, Mitch Ryder formed a group called "Detroit" and recorded an excellent album produced by famous producer Bob Ezrin...Who Also Produced Pink Floyd, Kiss, Alice Cooper & Many Others.

 COPYRIGHTED ART WORK BY STANLEY MOUSE

The single "Rock 'N Roll" written By Lou Reed

Featured on their LP Titled "Detroit" Released In 1972. 

MC5 CERTIFIED AS HONOREE: DETROIT WALK OF FAME!

 

DENNIS "MACHINEGUN" THOMPSON: MC5 CERTIFIED AS HONOREE: DETROIT WALK OF FAME!

Congratulations to the Motor City 5 (MC5)! You have been certified as an honoree for The Inaugural Walk to Fame launch by the nomination committee members of Detroit Historical Museum, Charles H. Wright Museum, Detroit Entertainment Commission, and city residents to be registered in Detroit for a Walk to Fame Star.

THE ROCKETS TO RELEASE 4 NEW SONGS LIVE AT THE FILLMORE DEC 28!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Music News & Calendar Item

December 2, 2013

The Rockets Release Four New Songs at the Fillmore on December 28th

Detroit Fans will be treated to the first new music in 30 years

Fans who “Desire” the return of iconic Detroit band The Rockets will be thrilled to hear that the band is back after a two-year hiatus with new band members and four new tracks – their first original music release in 30 years. “Greetings from Detroit,” a four song EP, was recorded live at Wayne State University’s Studio One, and co-produced by The Rockets and WSU’s Tom Court (who toured with The Rockets as their front of house sound mixer in the late 1970’s.) The Rockets will play the new songs live, along with other hits, on Saturday, December 28, 2013 at The Fillmore Detroit.

The new songs, available on iTunes on December 1st, 2013, exemplify Detroit's classic rock and roll sound made legendary by the MC5, The Stooges, Alice Cooper, Bob Seger, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels. Presented by 106.7 The D and Live Nation, the show will feature original Rockets drummer Johnny “Bee” Badanjek, along with lead singer Jim Edwards, keyboardist Danny Taylor, and new members Joey Gaydos (lead guitar), Phil “Greasy” Carlisi (guitar) and Mike Marshall (bass).

Tickets start at $15 and are available at LiveNation.com and at the Fillmore Detroit Box Office. Doors are at 7pm, and all ages are welcome. Rising stars of the Detroit rock scene Citizen Zero and hi-octane rockabilly roots-rockers Horse Cave Trio will open the show. The Fillmore Detroit show will be the first public appearance of the new line-up of The Rockets' seasoned musicians. Since their last appearance in 2011 with Sheryl Crow, Raconteurs, and Ronnie Dunn, “rebuilding the band and recording new material was our main goal before we played live again,” says Rocket's lead singer, Jim Edwards. “The Rocket fans will surely appreciate the raw purity of the music we have created.”

Johnny "Bee" Badanjek photo: Steve Galli

The Rockets - new band members:

Phil “Greasy” Carlisi (guitar) Sirius Trixon & The Motor City Bad Boys. Also played with legendary Stooges' members Ron and Scott Asheton (Dark Carnival) and toured extensively in the States and abroad with rockabilly musician Robert Gordon, British guitarist Chris Spedding, and legendary punk artist Jim Carroll. Carlisi has been a mainstay player in the Detroit music scene for over 35 years.  

Joey Gaydos Sr (lead guitar), also a Detroit music veteran, has played with rock heavies Rob Tyner (MC5), and Cub Koda and the Points (Brownsville Station).  Gaydos built a loyal Detroit fan base with his bands, Mugsy and Weapons, and has a well-earned reputation for his showmanship and incendiary lead guitar prowess.  

Mike Marshall (bass) has lent his musical virtuosity to hundreds of recording sessions and has toured with The Motor City Mutants, Torpedoes, Rob Tyner (MC5), Catfish Hodge, Johnny Bassett, Joe Weaver, Alberta Adams, and many other Detroit acts.

About The Rockets

The Rockets were founded in 1972 by former Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels members, Johnny "Bee" Badanjek and Jim McCarty. Badanjek was the driving force and primary songwriter for the Rockets when the band began its signature hard-driving sound that Detroit fans demanded. The Rockets recorded five studio albums and produced several minor hits, including a rocking rendition of Fleetwood Mac's "Oh Well.” The first album, Love Transfusion, was released in 1977.

The 1979 self-titled release featured the hits, "Oh Well" and "Turn up the Radio." With the 1980 release of “No Ballads,” Desire" was the hit song that solidified the Rockets as a viable national act and lead to an appearance on “The Midnight Special.” The next two albums were “Back Talk “(1981) and then “Rocket Roll” (1982)  "Rollin' by the Record Machine" from this release was the last hit song for the band.

The final release, Live Rockets, was recorded on December 26 and 29, 1982 to a sold-out house at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in suburban Detroit. The early Rockets band performed their last two shows at the Pine Knob amphitheater in Clarkston, Michigan, on August 28 and 29, 1983. The band splintered soon after and members went their separate ways. Badanjek, McCarty and the other members went on to other projects until the band re-emerged in 2010 at the Detroit Music Awards with new singer and front man Jim Edwards. Throughout 2010 and 2011, The Rockets continued to thrill audiences with their dynamic pure rock and roll - and the Detroit trademark sound that began decades earlier with Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels.

ROCKETS FACEBOOK PAGE

Contact: Kathy@ontherocksdetroit.com  Ph:  248-687-9168

ELIZA NEALS: CADILLAC SQUARE DEC 21, 2013

Celebrate with Eliza Neals 

 Detroit for the Christmas Holiday! 

Last Show of 2013 

"Saving the Best 4 Last!" ....

December 21st 9pm 

Cadillac Square @ Campus Martius Park 

"the BirthPlace of Detroit!"

IN MEMORIUM: BOOTSEY X (ROBERT MULROONEY)

Robert "Bootsey X" Mulrooney

It is with great sadness that I post the news that Bootsey X passed away at around 7 pm November 28th at Detroit Receiving Hospital. I loved how much joy he found in performing...and I am honored to pay tribute to Bob tonight...

Stanley T. Madhatter introduced me to Bob at a fundraiser in 2009 at the Painted Lady in Hamtramck. Bob was very ill then and his many friends gathered to raise money for his medical care. Madhatter adored Bob and spoke of him all the time. Madhatter and I sat at my computer and played all of Bob's videos the next day.  My very favorite video is Secret Agent Man...

Bob was so damn cute...had such a girlie crush on him. We became buddies on Facebook in 2010 and real life too. While chatting one night, I invited him to go with me to an appearance at the Guitar Center Drum Off. He was just the best to photograph! He and I had a blast shooting that night.

Bootsey at The Drum Off

What a fun night with Bootsey and Gerald Shohan his best friend, his guitarist and his protector. The love and friendhip these two men shared was so inspiring. My heart goes out to Gerald tonight. This tribute is to Gerald as well, and his magnificent giving soul.

 

Bootsey and Gerald performing (photo: MetroTimes)

Bill Holdship

"Would like to believe that Lili is pouring my friend Bootsey X a few shots at that great rock bar up in the sky tonight. Safe passage, my friend. We'll see you again further on up the road..."
 

Bill Holdship "You have to go with me to this crazy 'History of Rock' class I'm taking at community college, Bill. The teacher is an idiot. And she's crazy. I don't know how she got to teach anything! She talked about Altamont and then said, 'After that, someone was killed at almost every Rolling Stones concert for years!' I raised my hand and told her that isn't true...and crazy bitch got mad at me! So now I'm afraid i'm going to flunk 'History of Rock' at community college!" --Bootsey X
 

 Joe Michnuk and Bootsey X

Joe Michnuk "I visited Bootsey X over the last several years we would go out for pizza when he was still able to walk. He loved Loui's Pizza in Hazel Park. It was always cheese pizza no toppings that was his favorite. After he lost the ability to walk, I'd visit him with vanilla ice cream since everyone else brought the pizza.
 

 
We'd eat as much of a half gallon as two guys could & tell stories about chicks 'n music. We made each other laugh so hard that the nurses would come in to see what was going on. They all called me "The Ice Cream Man" @ both HFH & St Joe's Nursing Home. I'll miss his sense of humor & tremendous creative genius the most."
 

Last year we had a small holiday party in Ann Arbor. Gerald and Bootsey came out and they performed my favorite...SECRET AGENT MAN.  Kyle Davis and his band backed up Bob and Gerald on RAMROD BABY too which the young guns really loved...

My friends Danny Creadon, Steve, and Art Godoy headlined that party and were just in love with Bob. As more information comes in I will update this tribute..Not sure about any details as of yet.

Willy Wilson R.I.P. Bootsey X (Robert Mulrooney) - Too many great memories to share from shows, parties, record stores and the launching pad. Bob was a true rock n' roll legend. I picture him in the great Fortune Records building in the sky talking musical smack with Jim Shaw and Tony Fusco. 
 

Kelly, Valorie, and Bootsey X Chris Scott Dellas "He was a cat I always looked up to and admired. He seemed to drum for every band I saw when I was a teenager and later I rarely missed a Bootsey X show. He was always cool and smiling with me and always treated me with kindness. This many people are mourning not just Bob's passing, but not being able to see him make people happy again from the stage. Thanks man for being nice to a once-dopey kid."

Valorie Synwolt Bob was a jewel. He was genuine genius. There is an angel rockin in the name of Detroit out there- he was a true friend- my heart is shattered, because I got back home too late to sing with him one more time.I will miss my Boot Karen Neal Looks like Bootsey X is re-united with Julie Hecker. Prayers for Robert Mulrooney's loved ones and family and of course, remembering Josie Salash and the Hecker family too! Rest in peace!!!

Jerry Vile In addition to fronting or drumming for virtually every band in Detroit Bob was a very good writer. He was on staff of White Noise And had his own page in issue 4.

Jerry Vile and Bootsey X I will miss you Bob. You are the spirit of rock and roll and everything else worthy of vinyl. Hopefully one day we will build a memorial to you. Rock In Peace..

Mortichia Pippenshmooze I will really look forward to seeing Robert Mulrooney on the other side, where as somebody said, he will be surrounded by music and babes. Boots was always so sweet. He was the only man who ever asked me to be a "Sugarbaby of Soul" but I can't sing. I could only shake my ass and dance along. So much fun. Sad sad goodbye for now.

Andi Sparks Divetta ...and another light goes out.Robert Mulrooney was a strange and wonderful creature. just the way i like them. love to all of our hearts who knew him. there are so many. I love my friends and what they do. Bootsey X Joe McGuire Bob sold me my first record when I was 12 years old at Desirable Discs II in Dearborn (and he sold me many more after that).

Later I worked with him at Peoples Records when I was in college. He was always really nice to me, friendly and very funny. He was one of those rare unique individuals and it's really sad to hear that he passed.

To all who knew him and supported him in his life and in his art I send my heartfelt condolences. Joe Kidd ... i first met bob at a bar on michigan ave in inkster. he was drumming in a band called STREETS. i was in my first band called THE SILVER CHORDS. we were friends right from the start. we loved each others music. it was around 1976. we were all doing a lot of cover songs then. bob used to come to see us just to hear us do 'under my thumb' 'you better move on' and the big blue oyster cult hit 'dont fear the reaper'. i remember at the end of one summer night somehow we had in our possession a bow & arrows. we were firing them into the sky trying to shoot out the streetlamps on schoolcraft road. . - peace to you - j.k. //oo\\

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