ROCK 'N' ROLL NEWS

ROCK 'N' ROLL NEWS

Roving shutterbug Chuck Pulin reports from New York that the benefit concert for the Indochinese Boat People, organized by Todd Rundgren and raising an estimated $30,000 for the cause, was quite a sight to behold. David Johansen kicked off the show with a powerful set, followed by Blue Oyster Cult, whose musical contribution was just about wrapped up when Patti Smith jumped onstage to join them. Confused security goons (are there any other breed?) quickiy hustled her off, thinking she was a sex-starved BOC groupie. To tire acute embarrassment of the rent-a-cops, Patti returned later to play clarinet,fead poetry and sing "Tomorrow" from the Broadway musical, Annie, Todd Rundgren and Meat Loaf dosed the show, which was taped for later broadcast. ... Meanwhile, out L.A. way, Pulin reports that Leslie West and Steve Marriott have been working togetherand there's a chance the pair will form a band. Demo tapes are currently being prepped for all the major labels... LATE FLASH.. Meat Loaf got hitched to Leslie Edmonds at Todd Rundgren's house recently. Hopefully, we'll have pictures of the happy couple soon— if she survived the wedding night...

Amidst all the speculation that Elton John and BemieTaupiu have resolved their "artistic differences" and may soon be jnaking beautiful music together again, comes word from London town that Tom Robinson has scribbled down lyrics for four new EJ tunes. And where does this leave Alice Cooper and Gary Osbourne, mere pawns in this musical merry-go-round? Maybe they'll find a spot on Broadway, should Leber-Krebs be successful in their bid to buy theatrical rights to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. The ! master plan i£ to present the epic tale asaBeatlemania-type production.

Lovelier, love her police record (and we ain't talking about "Roxanne"): While weall know by now that Penny McCall is suing former live-in boyfriend Peter Frampton for half hisbux, didja know (do ya care?) that sweet Penny was on five years' probation for selling cocaine to an undercover epp during her and Peter's mutual residency? 'Tis true, ladies and gents, but the plot thickens. A court' ordered wiretap of her telephone also turned up some interesting conversation which eventually led to the bust of a large drug ring operating out of the Bronx. What other scintillating scum will this impending lawsuit dredge up from the heart of Rock City Centraf? Stay tuned...

On the same subject, Peter Cries and wife Lydia plan to set up separate kitty boxes jpst as soon as attorney Marvin Mitchelson is done with his duties on the Marvin vs. Marvin case. Will the wily lawyer make Kitty Kat cough up the same .sum he won for Mrs. Bob Dylan— a tidy $12 million? We shall see... Meanwhile, a quick-thinking Mick Jagger bolted the state of California vowing never to return. Was it something Gov. Brown said? No, but Michael Philip realized that his divorce from wife Bianca could prove very costly in that state. Since he owns no property there and is not a resident, California courts tend to shy away from slapping large settlements on someone over whom they have no jurisdiction. Therefore, the trial's being moved to London, where

courts frown on large divorce settlements. Don't look back...

Anyone give him a breathalizer? Neil Diamond had to undergo back surgery after noticing an unusual proclivity for tripping, failing and general clumsiness of late. After entering the hospital for tests, Neil was taken into surgery to have part of a vertebra removed. He's recovering fine, but had to hire special guards after concerned fans started showing up in droves dressed as doctors and nurses to gain entrance to his room.

What's that old saying about the invulnerability of small children arid winos? Gregg Allman was charged with reckless driving After smashing into another car in Florida and sending two people to the hospital. But not a single-hair on his chin was harmed.

If you hear the spine-tingling sound of small animal abuse in the

background of Eddie & the Hot Rode' newest LP, Thriller, don't call the ASPCA—it's just that old bleech magic called Linda McCartney doing back-up vocals.

Stephen Stills has a new production company to call his own, which will produce everything from Latin to rock 'n' roll to disco to new wave. Understandably, Stephen has yet to come up with a suitable name for his label...

In The Studio

L.A. — Cherokee: The Cars, Harry Nilsson (Steve Cropperproducing); L.A. — Salty Dog: Sanford-Townsend Band;

L.A. — Kendun:-Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Blue Oyster Cult; San ,

Francisco—Filmways/ Heider:

David Crosby and Graham Nash; LA. — Wally Heider: Peter Frampton; N. Y. — Sigma Sound; Diana Ross, Steely Dan; .

N. Y. —Media Sound: James Taylor (Peter Asher producing), Ellen Foley (Mick Ronson and Ian Hunter producing); Miqmi— Criteria: Pure Prairie League; Woodstock,

N. Y. — RCO Studio: Andy Pratt; L.A, —Chateau: Devo; Boulder,

CO—Mountain Edrs: Stephen Stills; Menlo Park, CA—Music Annex: The Tubes; L.A. —MCA/ Whitney: Nibk Gilder; ^

L.A. —Devonshire: Randy Meisner;! L.A. — Sound Castle: Michael Nesmith; N. Y. — Electric Lady: Joni Mitchell; Boulder, CO—North Star: Isaac Hayes, Dan Fogetoerg;

Seattle—Kaye-Smith: Steve Miller; Elsewhere: The Eagles; James Brown; Neil Young; Randy Newman.

Looks like Phil Spector will expand his work with the Ramones and producetheir next LP. Spector was responsibte for much of the Rock 'n' Roll High School movie soundtrack...

Frank Zappa has been having plumbing problems lately have caused his potty to de on several occasions (white ted?). Anyway, the honorary member of Phi Zappa Crappa decided to call in the roto-rooter man after tire toilet pulled another Hiroshima that all but ruined his recording equipment and tapes.

And then there's the tale of the rock zine that went sofar as to fly an old friend of Van Morrison's from Ireland to England to conduct an interview with tire reclusive rock star. Seems Van was only too happy to accommodate the young scribe upon his arrival, and suggested they retire to a nearby pub to reminisce on old times before getting down to the biz at hand. After duly refreshing himself, Morrison and friend returned to Van's home, at which time the star informed the scribe he really didn't want to do any interviews and went to bed.

Still more from the Van desk: former CREEM editor Gary Kenton (who penned this month's Dire Straits story), quoted in Melody Maker as saying Van was "a bit of an unstable character", caused a black rage from the singer, who demanded that Warner Bros. can him. So done. (Heeeey Van, does this mean you won't talk to us?)

Hey baby, they're playing our song ...Rod Stewart may have to bear the brunt of legal action if his dispute with Brazilian songwriter Jorge Ben continues. Ben alleges that Stewart's UNICEF-donated tune, "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy," was ripped off from thebossa nova boy's song, "Taj Mahal." Roddy's management

is poo-pooing the whole thing, though, calling the similarities mere coincidence. And now a Word from George Harrison. Speaking of Stewart squabbles, looks like Rod and Elton John are flinging good-natured barbs again. Elton had a banner raised at one of Stewart's gigs which read, "Blondes may have more fun, Phyllis, but brunettes have lots more money." Rod countered by raising another banner reading, "Blondes may have more furl, but brunettes have more transplants." Et tu, Sharon...

After pulling his first coup of getting Janies Brown's soul-shakin' shoes on the hallowed Grand Ol' Opry stage, Porter Wagoner has decided to try for bigger fish, namely formerpartner Dolly Parton. Porter diaims Dolly signed him on as hermanager in 1970 and that the contract is valid through 1979. Sifree tire duo parted ways In 1974, Wagoner says he's still entitled to 15% of her subsequent solo success. In round figures, Porter says he's entitled to $3 million, and he wants it... now.

They said it: Tom Waits—"Oh yeah, CREEM... you always have a picture of some skinny English faggot on Recover..." And this gem from John Watte ofthe Babys—"If I was two years younger I'd be doing what the Clank are doing." Mentally of physically?

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS: Due to a misprint, we reported last month that Southside Johnny had "resigned" to Mercury. No. Signed.

Runaways fans can stop clamoring for articles; the band is no more following the departure bassist Laurie McAllister. Don't: fret, though; Joanie Jett has popped up in London again to record with ex-Ristols Jones and Cook— a cover version of Lesley Gore's "You Don't Own Me", to be exact. If all goes well, an album will follow...

When it bleeds, it is the Red Sea! During Alice Cooper's recent Midnight Special appearance, one of his over-enthusiastic dancers (was it wife Sheryl?) twirled just a tad too close to the famous Furnier beak, elbowing him in the schnozz and causing the blood to flow Why didn't you see it? The NBC censors thought the sight just too gruesome forihe late night audience, and ordered that segment re-shot...

Will Rikki Sylvan, former leader of Rikki & the Last Days Of Earth, be the new keyboard tinkler for the Who?

The ever-nublie (and at37?!) Julie Christie has given up English journalist Duncan Campbell (Time Out) and is fondly stroking Eno's chrome dome.

Detroit's Destroy All Monsters will probably venture to the U.K. -at presstime they were sending an erniss~ry over to test the waters. Since Wayne Kramer's doing so well getting gigs, Ron Ashelon, Niagara eta!. figured they could, too. Asheton's been over several times with the Stooges, of course...

Take Off Those Specs, Sucker: Elvis Costello was the victim of an attack in Columbus, Ohio recently. No, Woody Hayes was home in bed; seems El was expounding on the American music scene to a youngfan, and expressed his disapprovalof those early rock 'n' rollers who'd sold out. `Tuck Elvis Presleyl Fuck Ray Charles!" he exclaimed for all in thebarto hear (including Stephen Stills' band, roadies and girl singer, Bonnie Bramlett-minus Stephen). Bonnie Bramlett raised a protest to this, claiming friendship with Ray Charles. Elvis walked over to her table, said "Fuck Ray Charles and.fuckyou!" Bonnie then let loose with a roundhouse right, knocking him flat and starting a general brouhaha, which was only quelled when the diminurive Japanese bartenderstarted swinging a billy club. No Southern magnolia, is Bonnie.

Elvis, who'd already surprised his : Detroit audience with a graciously deli vered encore (what about all that press?) surprised Detroiters bopping at Bookie's after the show, when he turned up to make the scene. He even allowed local media monger Jerry Vile to regale him with advice such as "Hey Elvis why don't you record some Foreigner songs." This man will Submit to anything, .

Switching over to the iggy Desk (wake up, Therese): Ig's been signed toArista in England, and his first effort, Don't LookDown, with songs such as "New Values", "Billy Is A Runaway", "Lucky Guy", "How Do You Fix A Broken Past?", "I'm Bored", etc. A bandwas assembled for a tour of England, consisting of Jackie Clarke (Ike & Tina Turner) on guitar, lUaus Krieger on drums, Scott Thurston on guitar and keyboards, and Glen Matlock on bass (effectively breaking up the Rich Kids). No word yet on an American record deal or tour...

On Tour

Bad Company; Rod Stewart; Eric Clapton; Kiss; Yes; Roxy Music; RobertGordon; Rush; Tom Robinson Band; Bob Welch; Judy Collins. P-Funk Brides Of Funkenstein; Dire Straits; Allman Brothers; Bob Marley& the Waiters; Thin Lizzy; Badfinger; Cheap Trick; TheClash; TedNugent; Firefall; Blondie; Eddie Money; Graham Faiker & the Rumour; The Police.