FUNK FAN FLIPS MIRED IN MARSH MANEUVER

Dear CREEM:

Wow! Right now, I ain’t too sure about a lot of things, but one thing that’s for sure is 1 was GOD DAMN surprised at Dave Marsh’s review of Survival (Vo. 3, #3). Shit, after that last review of I'unk’s last album, I sure as hell didn’t expect this one. Wow.

It’s about time some of these dudes around are finally getting hip to Grand Funk. I’ve been hip to them ever since they started happening which was in 1969 with their single, “Time Machine”, if I recall correctly and I was only 12 at the time, but I dug them as soon as I heard them. I’m 14 now (big shit, huh?) but I’m glad 1 can say I didn’t dig all that bubblegum shit (J5, Monkees, etc.) when I was younger.

At the moment I’m into the MC5’s new album and I think it’s ft ally heavy, all except the brass. God Knows why I hate horns so much but they just turn me off COMPLETELY. (I really like “Over and Over” and “Poison”.) Just give me a hard, heavy rock and roll band and that’s where it’s at —

Congratulations, Dave, glad to know you can dig Funk. Keep on Truckin’ and Kick Out the Jams, Motor City!

Little Queenie

Mt. Clemens, Mich.

Dear CREEM:

Just finished reading September 1971 issue of CREEM and I could find no faults with it except that Richard Pinkston misspelled mckcnpile in his Paul McCartney review. It is spelled with two l’s.

Alan Shutro

New York, NY

Dear CREEM:

How can anyone in their sense call Truckin’ (by Frut) a “killer album”? The music on there is done so sloppily with such shod that it doesn’t deserve to be categorized in any section at any store.

I’m very tired of spending money on so-called “killers”, discovering that they not only kill, but embalm also. Money doesn’t come easy. It comes very hard. And if your business is false verbal acclamation, then I fail

to reason why you carry subscriptions at all. I imagine when the new Simon and Garfunkle is out you’ll be offering it free with subscriptions after penning it the xxx “ . . . hottest thing since Kick Out the Jams. ”

I’d like to express a few other things, too. I can now realize why you dislike the Who, Led Zeppelin. Ten Years After and a score of other REAL killer groups - well, Creemers, did you really believe it was the music or Robert Plant’s screams of “I’M gonna give you all my lovin’ ” on stage? No! It’s because they happened to have had their pictures or gossipy stories written about them in 16 Magazine.

Jesus, this is something, but I bet that even CREEM will eventually turn into a candy-rock, picture-filled, diary laden teen magazine within five years, providing its sales don’t stop.

CREEM, forgive my criticism, but I put out some articles on some good Detroit-Michigan bands. If you keep out of the Frut’s way, you might surviye. How do you expect to gain anything if you cheat people out of their money?

I imagine you gave the Frut a good review because they wrote a “Thank You” on the back cover of their new “Nothing ventured-nothing gained” Truckin’ plastic disc.

Yes, yes, I know: South Dakota! Who’s he to tell off a Michigan group?! We have bands better than the Frut in Dakota.

Carson Storm

Aberdeen S. Dak.

Dear CREEM:

Only one gripe. In your June, ’71 issue, you ran a record review on Johnny Winter And. . . Live. You stated: “When Winter was first trotted ouj to a mass audience, you’ll recall, there suddenly surfaced a horde of tapes from the old days. None of these Ips were worth releasing (except to an avaricious businessman) but. . .

THIS ISSUE’S COVER:

That little milk bottle baby you've seen occasionally bopping about our pages (with a magnifying glass you can find him at the end of the articles, or in the Loony Tunes logo) was indeed designed by R. Crumb, notorious,perverto cartoonist and western mystic. Crumb designed Boy Howdy! (as we call him) in April of 1969, at which time he also did the cover for CREEM Vol. 1, No. 2. A historic event, you might say: out of that brief Motown visit came our cover, our Boy genius, Motor City comix and not a few cases of venereal disease.

Bob Wilson — who also did the Jackson Five cartoon adaption for CREEM’s September cover — did the color overlays for Baby Dreemwhip as well. Why’d we run it again?

Wouldn’t you?

I have every one of those “worthless” Ips and I don’t agree with you. Most of his early songs are great.

Other than that the review was the best I’ve seen yet. Thanks.

A Johnny Winter Fanatic

Pony

Greenfield Park, Quebec QUOTH THE RAVAN? - NEVERMORE Dear CREEM:

Though in all fairness, I am hardly a disinterested party, my critical judgement remains unbiased in the interest of artistic progress and creative reflection.

It therefore behooves me to comment upon the arbitrary record review penned by a Master Melvin Pork(an unhappy but perhaps appropriate pseudonym) printed in your September issue (Peculiar Friends - Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Ravan).

Master Pork is obviously out with his personal vendetta against Genya Ravan, which is, of course, his privilege. However it is most unfortunate that your readers have been mistreated with a subjective, immature and poorly written review.

I can only thank your printers for setting the type properly. Mr. and Mrs. McCartney were not so fortunate.

Cordially,

Barbara Baccus

Personal Manager for

Genya Ravan NYC, NY

(Subjective, definitely; immature, maybe; poorly written never. - Ed.)

Dear CREEM:

At first I was pissed off at the 60 Same as Rolling Stone, which sucks. Same as a pack of cigarettes, now.

Two things happened. One, I don’t dig poetry. But the poems Patti Smith wrote were o.k. Especially the car one, which I could relate to 100%. It didn't seem like a chick could write like that. But she's fucking A.

The other thing was the Motown article. I always like what Dave Marsh writes; like, I trust him. That article made me feel shitty, though. 1 guess he wouldn’t lie but I wish he did. It really hurts to think Smokey would go plastic. And Martha. What a drag.

The thing is, 1 went to see ike and Tina. It was great but I felt let down. It was like a slick show they’d do whether the audience liked them or not. They may as well have been taping for T.V.

Also, Nickel Juke Boxies are cool with me! (More three dog night!)

Yours,

Bill Nicholson

NYC, NY

P.S. Your review sucked & Sticky Fingers is great!!!

PATTI'S POEMS PLEASE DearCREEM:

I though the portfolio of Patti Smith’s, poems was really great. She and her poems are one of a kind; a magical kind that lies within one person and she’ it.

I think that one of a kinds should be kept that way. And there’s only one way to do it. We don’t need more like her, we need more of her.

Jesse Kim

Mantua, N.J.

DearCREEM:

Why do you persist in publishing such drivel as your piece on hip-less P. Smith. I suggest you stay away from such incestuous New York tripe and stay with things more tasteful - like the Revolution, or Radical Lesbians Take Up Karate or the Bio-Degradable Kotex Syndrome.

Yours,

Paula Stevens

Saugatuck, MI

Dear CREEM:

I want to thank you for believing in my poetry enough to give me all them pages (Vol. 3, No. 4). I been fighting for a long time to be recognized as a poet, even though I got a rock ‘n’ roll soul. To me there’s room in my body for both. In the ole days poets were hot stuff. They had balls and a real electric mouth. Rock ‘n’ roll took over. It shot through the heart harder. But language got rhythm. I won’t give it up. No.

Ever since 1 was a little kid I felt I had a mission. Lots of people have. Joan of Arc. Mayakovsky, Manolete, Smokey Robinson, Todd Rundgren, Stravinski. . . millions of people. Me Too. Aint nobody stopping me. But there are people starting me. . . That includes you guys.

When 1 am in full force. When I’m real famous. I’ll always remember the people who stuck their neck out when I was a punk. People like you guys .. .

‘ Patti Smith

New York City

P.S. Peter Hujar did not take those pictures. My best girl friend, J udy Linn did.

ROCK HILL? - RIGHT ON! DearCREEM:

I must commend Tim Tyler on his fantastic article on Jackson 5. It was the best J-5 article I’ve ever read!

The review of the album, May be Tomorrow, by R. A. Pinkston, was excellent and well put.

Keep printing more of the Jackson 5 and you’ll get my money!!!

Karen Blakeney

Rock Hill, SC

DearCREEM:

One day out of my love and remembrance of the Jackson 5, I took my time and your opportunity. I call it “Most Exciting Night of My Life.” The date was July 20th at the Charlotte Coliseum.

I woke up that morning, and looked through my window before getting up, It. looked sort of cloudy. Next, I went to the mirror and smiled at my self. Was this the day, the day I had prayed would come — today.

Could it be happening? I mean, to me?

I glanced at the clock. I never got up this early on a school vacation day, but this was not an ordinary day! But I was too excited to think about the time.

I looked in my secret place (my mattress) for my ticket. This ticket had more value to me than anything I owned. I let out a low squeal.

I whirled around to face the first thing you saw as you came into my room.

Jackson 5, Jackson 5 pictures everywhere. Oh, god, how I loved them!

I whirled once more to look at my clothes I had prepared the night before. All I needed was a black cameo choker to complete my hot pants suit.

Anytime before now I would have given anything to see them. But, I didn’t have to because in less than eight hours I’d be on my way to see them in person! Me!

The rest of the day seemed endless, going on and on. Finally four o’clock. I poured over half my bath oil in my water. I dressed sometime later in my orange midriff and hot pants, which were covered by a blue midi skirt. I also wore a black cameo, heavy stockings and white sandals. My afro was a little too curly but o.k.

6:00: I checked what little make-up I had and turned once more in the mirror. I then walked to my friend’s house, where her boyfriend Billy was going to take me, Teresa, and Brenda.

We pranced around her room. 1 kept glancing at Tito’s smiling pictures. How much more could I stand!

Billy came about 6:15.

6:30, we were finally on our way. The forty-two miles to Charlotte seemed like forty two thousand.

Eight o’clock, the Charlotte Coliseum at last.

I thought back. A few minutes ago we had been in traffic that was clearly headed for the Coliseum.

I felt the tickets, they were still there, after all the times my sweaty palms had felt them. •

Inside we had little trouble finding our seats. Once we were seated we listened to a group called the Commodores who were really.

About 9:30 a man came on and told us to stay seated or the Jackson 5 would have to stop. : -

The lights went out and figures were moving on stage.

Girls began to scream. Brenda, Teresa and I joined them. I said a silent prayer.

Suddenly, the music to “Stand” came alive, the lights came on, finally. From right to left, Jermaine, Michael, Jackie, Marlon, Tito, Johnnie and Ronnie couldn’t have looked better or more beautiful in pictures.

I screamed, kicked, hollered and cried. In no order and without any control.

I finally calmed down, but tears still ran down ray cheeks.

Their clothes. “Oh God,” I cried. They were wearing jumpsuits that you knew were made just for them. They wear them so right; just right.

Jermaine’s jumpsuit was red, blue and white and had steps leading to a little house on his leg. Tito’s was black on the bottom and different colors. Ronnie’s was a pink velvet. Marlon’s had black on it and orange on his right leg. Johnnie was on the drums and he wore red silk looking pants and a red and yellow hat. Michael’s jumpsuit had some yellow and blue, his belt had a red heart. Jackie’s was gray and had.white fringe on it. They looked too good to be true! They just couldn’t be real.

They sang most their hits. And from the way they danced, rehearsals must be every hour. They were just that good!

While Michael was singing “Maybe Tomorrow”, Teresa and I got up and pretended we were going to get some popcorn. The thought of going back home without a close up glimpse of them was too much. Our hearts got the better of us. •

We wandered down to the ground floor. And I stumbled through a door. There was a stage and a lot of girls were in front of the balcony clapping to “Thank You.”

The next thing I knew, I was being pushed and then all of a sudden I was in front of the stage. There in front of Tito! Tito Jackson! Everybody was screaming and hollering “Jackie”, “Michael”,' “Tito”, Marlon*’, “Jermaine”, “Ronnie”, Johnnie”. I saw a couple of girls faint. But I was holding out.

I kept hollering, “Tito, Tito.” I know he couldn’t hear me. Michael kicked his foot. I then glanced up to see Tito staring at me. Our eyes met and held. I could tell he understood. I also knew he was trying to see something, but all I could see was love, tenderness and warmth. A fire lit up inside me. Then, he turned, and our eyes met again,: and once more held. This time longer than before.

I couldn’t stand not to be near Tito, I wanted to be in his arms so bad. I turned away.

Then the lights went off. Tito was gone, so were Ronnie, Michael, Jermaine, Johnnie, Marlon, Jackie.

On the way home, the whole concert played through my mind. But, I couldn’t wait til tomorrow. I had a lot to tell my girl friends. About the concert I had a souvenir program to show. But the look, the one Tito had given, I would tell about, but not the way I felt inside, too much for words.

Continued on page 79.

Continued from page 8.

I’m lucky, god knows, I’m lucky, because to me the Jackson 5 are the greatest group in the world.

They are talented, handsome, sweet and kind and 2-gether. Every beautiful adjective in one! And that’s a golden fact.

When anyone asks me about my summer I just say “I saw the Jackson 5 in person,” and I go over the whole concert, not leaving out anything, if I can help it.

Deborah Walls Shelby, N.C.

Dear CREEM:

Holy Shit Man!

Rob Houghton’s review LA Woman-The Doors, got to be out of his ever-lovin’ mind to compare the Doors to musicians like the Grateful Dead. The Dead form a group while Morrison makes a poet. Ya, the Door’s first album was all right, but nothin’ like the Dead’s 1st and 2nd, we’ll just forget about their 3rd, which two out of three ain’t bad. The Doors as a music to listen to well... (sic) Just keep listen (sic) to the Doors’ first one while the Dead keep pouring ’em out better and better while the Doors’ slowly close in teh East.

Mac Decota Staten Island, NY

Dear CREEM:

About Greil’s Mick Jagger problems:

. . . the red-haired poet was really (in some sense) a man worth listening to, even if one only laughed at the end of it. He put the old cant of the lawlessness of art and the art of lawlessness with a certain impudent freshness that gave at least a momentary pleasure. He was helped in some degree by the arresting oddity of his appearance, which he worked, as the phrase goes, for all it was worth. His dark red hair parted in the middle was literally like a woman’s, and curved into the slow curls of a yirgin in a pre-Raphealite picture. From within this almost saintly oval, however, his face projected suddenly broad and brutal, the chin carried forward

with a look of cockney contempt. This combination at once tickled and terrified the nerves of a neurotic population. He seemed like a walking blasphemy, a blend of the angel and the ape.

— G.K. Chesterton (“The Man Who Was Thursday,” 1908) Apparently, people bom on May 29 (with the probable exception of Bob Hope) understand such things. The red-haired poet, incidentally, reappears at the end of the book as the devil. Oh well.

Ruth Ann Ponnech CBS

New York, NY.

(And how did she know Greil was born on May 29, pray tell? — Ed.)

SINGLES SHOP SOUGHT Dear CREEM:

I’ve been trying to get a copy of “Man of the World”/“Somebody’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight” for about a year now. Since you mentioned it in the June issue maybe you can help me.

The May and June issues were both great; I hope you’re keeping up the good work, because I’m gonna subscribe as soon as I figure out where I’ll be living after September.

P.S. You wouldn’t know anything about “Bears”/“Stand By Me” by the old Quicksilver Messenger Service put out between their first and second albums? I’ve just about given up.

Paul Samoian

Fresno, CA.

(“Somebody’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight”, by Earl Vince and the Valiants (Fleetwood Mac), is now available on RCA’s British Archive Series — Vol. 4 (LSP-4549(e)), an anthology of old British blues-based singles and demos, including tracks by Rod Stewart, Albert Lee (Heads Hands & Feet guitarist), Jo-Ann Kelly and one by Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page.

Don’t know the answer to finding the Quicksilver, or “Man of the World”, which -r as Greg Shaw noted in the June issue - has been deleted. Maybe someone out there knows a good mail order shop for singles? Why not write and let us in on it, too - Ed.)

Dear CREEM:

I thought you might want to see this. My old lady showed it to me. It waS written by Jordan Rossen and it was printed in the Detroit Noose. (If you read the Detroit Nosey you’ll never know, as they say.)

“To The Editor:

The reduction of Lt. William Calley’s sentence to 20 years means he now, at most, will serve about one year for every five VietnamesS killed.

John Sinclair’s sentence of 9Vi to 10 years equals five years for every marijuana cigaret Sinclair had at a private party.

Assuming it is as great a crime to possess pot as it is to kill defenseless Orientals, a great injustice has still been done to Sinclair. Gov. Milliken should free him.”

Sorta makes ya sick, don’t it?

Dean Henry

Detroit, Mi.

Dear CREEM:

First, there is a new band, Brave Belt, that has a different sort of sound. Some of their songs are a little weak but well worth a listen for any Chad Allen or Randy Bachman fans. The group is Chad, Randy, Rob Bachman and Ron Halldorson.

I am interested in finding out about the history of the Guess Who. There hasn’t been too much through the media on them. Also, I’m interested in what Randy Bachman. A Kobel, Chad Allen, Bob Matheson, Ron Halldorson, Wally Didduck, Billy Mac, Jellyroll Kirkpatric, Fred Turner, C.F., Bob Ashby and Bruce Decker have been doing, or are doing.

Information on the Birchmount records and songs is also welcome. If you have any information, please write to me at:

Stan Dunfield

132 Edgett Ave.

Moncton, New Brunswick

Canada

Dear CREEM:

I just picked up the June issue from a friend of mine (he’s got a subscription -lucky fucker, I don’t have the bread for one) (but he’s generous with his old issues) and I’m reading Thomas Bingham’s thing Bargain Bin Vocal Group LP’s I Have Known, and I see where he says “ .. . Kathy Young . . . Where is she now?”

Well, Tom, I can’t rightly tell you where she is this very minute, but I can tell you where she has been in recent ,years. If you’re still interested. If you’re not, well, I’ve wasted 7c and half an hour, but I’m gonna tell you, anyway.

It seems" that after “A Thousand Stars”, she had trouble getting another hit and went into the modelling business for a little while. Round about ’65 or ’66, she married a certain John Maus, who had been in her back-up group and was then part of a group known as the Walker Bros. This group (John Maus, Scott Engle and Gary Leeds) has a big wall of sound thing remarkably similar to the Righteous Bros, but they couldn’t make it in the States so they went to England in ’65. (They did have one medium-sized Stateside hit however, in ’65 - “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore” which was written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio.

In England it was different. They were soon the third biggest group over there, after the Beatles and Stones. They had a number one hit in ’66 with a Bacharach j*David thing called “Make It Easy on Yourself” which I think Jerry Butler recorded over here, but I could be mistaken. Anyway, it came as a shock to everyone when the Walkers split in ’67 at the height of their popularity after two fantastic (if you like that sorta stuffy LP’s Portrait and Images. They hung around England for awhile but eventually Maus and his wife came back to the States, being lonesome for Laguna Beach and all-their California friends. That would be ’68.

In ’69 sometime, it was rumored that Maus had cut a single called “Bluebirds Over” using Kathy Young and his sister Judy as back-up voices, but nobody ever heard any more about it. I assume they’re still on the West Coast.

(By the way, the other two Walkers continued their separate careers, Leeds in Japan and Engel in England.) (Only Maus copped out.)

That is the story as it was told to me. If it’s wrong, well, you can blame the grapevine.

Yours truly,

Kate (not the) Taylor

Amherstburg, Ontario

(Geez, what if we asked real questions instead of just rhetorical ones? Look, nobody out there knows how to find out who did a song called “No Way Out” in the late fifties do they?)

Dear CREEM:

It may interest you to know that the opening bars of Savage (Grace’s “All Along the Watchtower” on the first LP are a direct rip-off from Bach’s, Prelude and Fugue No. 2 in C Minor; for which he is credited nowhere on the album. But who cares, right?

Very sincerely yours,

Carolyn Clinton Utica, Mich.

Dear CREEM:

How come Lester Bangs writes so great for CREEM but so shitty for Rolling Stone?

Jeff Clemens Mascoutah, Ill.