Rock 'n' Roll News

Rock 'n' Roll News

DEPARTMENTS

Famed solo artist Bill Wyman announced to the New York Post that he plans to quit the Rolling Stones come 1982, though he hasn’t quite told his fellow Stones yet. Seems it will mark 20 years in his career as a Stone, and, sez he: “I have no intentions of being a middle-aged rock star.” And how to ex-middle-age rock stars make their house payments, big boy?

At presstime, Bon Scott, 30-year-old vocalistfor AC / DC, Was reported dead in England. Found in the car pf friend Alaatshr Kinnear, the Australian belter of “Highway To Hell” and similar screechers died of apparent “alcohol poisoning.” What’s especially ironic is the Australian band’s career was just taking off in the States after great success in England. As yet, Atiantic Records has no comment on the incident or the band’s future plans, although their next album was in the final mixing stage, and wifi doubtless be released soon,

Video Killing Radio Stars Dept.: If you haven’t caught Rock World lately, you should, as the new syndicated TV show—generally shown late on weekend nights—has been featuring bands like the Boomtown Rats, the Police, X-Ray Spezandeventhe Flying Lizards. More news: Time-Life _ recently announced their plansto * introduce England’s Old Grey Whistle Test to America through their upcoming “BBC In America” satellite-cable TV system. First show should arrive sometime in May...

Commie Fun: Brans Tchaikowsky’s latest LP suffered a name change before reaching these shores, thanks to record •' company activists at Polydor who f eh The Russians Are Coming was ■ too “touchy” a title considering die current world situation, Name change is to Pressure {getit?L though Boycott Vodka and America The Beautiful were undoubtedly considered..;',

Everyone’s favorite white fur-batt Elton John has come down with a bout of the yellow-sktos, according to physicians in the know, who’ve advised the hepatitis-stricken squealer to take it easyforsix months or so When the word came down, Elton was in die midst of recording his next LP, a fo8ow-up to hisdiscofied “Johnny B.Good” track, maybe called MetalMachine Copacabana and maybe pot MS, Elton has started his own2-Stroke record label, . [ no comment yet from 2-Tone... :

And you thought they shriveled up dept: The Massachusetts-based Varulven Records will be pressing -iq? a few tracks by ex-Velvet* drummer Maureen “Mo” Tucker; on die other side of the country, ex-Captain Boefhcart bass legend Rocketts Morton has resurfaced in Ace A The Eights, who’ve just released “Face In The Fire” b/to “Explosion,” a single on San Francisco’s FIT Records,

Strange studio goings-on include T«d»es drummer Prairie Prince j in the studio with David Byrne, and Brian Eno.. Not to mention Shaun Cassidy’s latest

Famed putty-face Dong Fieger has entered the studios with the Still-unsigned Rubber City Rebels, takingcare of production chores. Reports that Fieger plans to make die band record 13 different versions of “Beast OfBurden” under 13 different names remains

Hours after arriving in Cannes, France, following the imprisoning of Parti McCartney, “Japanese Tears” a tune about his boss’s recentTokyo toe-jam.

Peter Cries hasgathered up his kitty box and is leaving Klee. This momentous news cameto usviahis drum roadie, who was told not to report for rehearsal as Peter was no present to replace Peter, and a band' breakup has even bean suggested as ’a possibility.

Forme* walrus David Crosby heard bad-mouthing “NewWave” rock in a San Francisco radio interview, particularly singkn g out especially offensive. Which must end, judging by his capsule critique of punk convert Linda Ronstadf s re workingof three of his songs. A guest on a British radio show, Costello was played Linda’s latest treatment of “Party Girl” and “Talkingln The Dark” and asked whether he was flattered that other. people covered hissongs. His heartfelt response after hearing the tunes: “That was sheer torture. ..a

Rockford City’s Burning: Rick NtebtnIsn’t Nero and Rockford isn’t Rome, but while Cheap Tricks Rickface was out erfthe country recording, his house fS suffered $100,000worth of damage caused by a nearly morning fire. Officials say the blaze was confined to the master bedroom, attic and roof. No Robin Zanderfans were repotted Injured ...

Ciaab rudeboys doc S trammer and Topper Headon were recently taken to a police station in England for suspected “drug offenses” that apparently weren’t a big deal, as both Clashers were soon released on bail. Clash film Rude Boy will soon be screened in the U.K., with no projected U.S. showings at this time%t

Ann Bcvofly, mother of the late Sid Vicious, was treated for a drug overdose.. .exactly oneyear after Ski’s demise. *' * ' [ Jt*”** * * ^ !

In The Studio

Memphis—A rdent Studios: Point Blank, The Cramps, The Photons; Burbank, CA.»Kendun Recorders: DemisRussoswith Jennifer Warnes and Dusty Springfield, FunkadeUc, Heart, R.&G. Speedwagon, John Stewart, Billy Clone & The Same; Sa n Francisco -" The Auto matt Herbie Hancock, Journey, Tasmanian Devils, Randy Hansen; U. & — Olympic: Billy Falcon; New Jersey —H&L Studios: The Now; MY—CBS Studios: Ted Nugent; Detroit—Sureshot Westwind: The Mutants; Sausatito—Record Plant Nashville—Quadrafonic: Frankie Miller; NY— Hit Factory: Joe Perry. • ‘ *

Couple of the Month: Johnny Winter visiting Dong Sahm after Doug’s Lone Star Cafe gig...

Van“D0h^tCailMeOriStable’ Morrison hit the West Coast recently with a new band, or at least a slightly modified one; asidefrom drutnmer Peter Van Hooke, bassist David Hayes and guitarist: Herbie Armstrong-—all who’ve appeared on Van’s latest, Into The Music,— there’s keyboardist John Allair and old Irish crony Mick Cox, formerly of Eire Apparent and the Mick Cox Band. Hot band, from all reports..

MorefunwithLinda: Reports from jj New York say that potential First Lady Linda Ronstadt will be | playing the leading female role in Gilbert & Sullivan's “The | Pirates Of Penzance,” scheduled for a special presentation in Central Park this summer. Despite persistent rumors to thecontrary, Gilbert and Sullivan are not related to Elvis Costello, though Nick Loire’s heritage may be in question...

SHOCK NEWS!: You didn’t want it to happen, but it did! Emerson, Lake and Palmer have finally, unequivocally, without question broken up! Only drummer Ceil Palmer has made a move as yet, forming PM with a crew that includes: guitarist John Nitzinger. keyboard player Todd Cochran, lead guitarist Barry -Finnerty and bassist Erik Scott. §1 Tarkus: Part Eight, anyone?

News that you wanted1 to hear: A recent Gallop Poll confirmed the • much-dreaded fact that the favorite male and female singers of American kiddies are none other than Barry Manilo w and Donna Summer, though not necessarily in that order.;.

Now that the soundtrack’s out on Mango Records, lode for the film Rockers debuting early this month, • featuring Peter Tosh, Burning Spearand other ganja-seekers seeking life’j Big Spllff mon '

Ex-MonkeeMIke Nesmith is branching exit into videodisks with Popclips' a combination concert/comedy/psychedelia concept he’s convinced will be the wave of the future. Old Monkees never die, they Just plan to get

Tom Waits on his move to New York from L.A : “I was going fudging nuts.”

Bad news for bod) fans of Judas Priest: Somebody’s stolen the master tapes of the Heavy Mongols’ newest LP and is actually holdingit for ransom! The work of a socially-conscious, underpaid rock critic, many have suggested, but we prefer to think it’s the work erf the Humane Society, j Details as they

The Orchids have finally been', signed by MCA Records and should be releasing their debut disc within week§. KimFowlsy willbe producing, and the big question is: who# If it smells funny put the lid bade on, OK?

Divfate-uh, performed a special Valentine’s set at the Beacon Theatre in NYC (a benefit to get Edie more eggs?).

Where’s your sense of humor dept.: Frederick Kohner, the wunderkind whjpcreated Gidget, is threatening L.A.’s Suburban Lawns with legal action over their record “Gidget GoesTo Hell,” copyright of the Gidget character. It seems Kohner feels that the words of the song are highly damaging to Gidget’s innocent image. Just what did he expect after Gidget Plays , Doctor?

Babys keyboardist Jonathan Cain joined the enormous numbers of rock’n’ rollers forsaking their wild life, when he wed e McLure, star/Virginian cowpoke Dong McLnro.,^

CREEM editorial pffice. ‘.seems in last month’s Curirie Sisters non-featurette in the BGO, Dave DiMartino hintedatclose ties the sisters might enjoy with the L.A. combo To|to. Little did we know that in fact Marie Carrie is keeping close company with the Toto’s guitarist Steve Lnhathef. Jeaae Dixon, lode out!

Warner Brorfs. Records has to pay a cool half-million to Thomas J. StnartJII, who’s apparently been using the name “Rubber Band” for a while longer than Bootsy Collins and his-Rubber Band. Whether this has anything to do with National Condom Week isn’t relevant...

Guitarist Snowy White has finally been pegged to replace Thin Lizzy7s wandering guitarist Gary Moore. White, who accompanied Pink Floyd on their recent U.S. tour, was a former member of Stray Dog. Hopefully he won’t be a dog that enjoys straying...

Former Box Top and Big Star Alex Chilton has released a new LP on Britain’s Aura Records, called Like Flies On Sherbet, No word as yet as to a U.S. distribution deal, but we’re hoping... t

Fascinating headlin e in a Variety ad: “NOBODY REALLY KNOWS WHAT TO EXPECT FROM StISAN ANTON

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER BAND: As reported in the BGO, Iggy fired all of his band but Ivan Krai, and at pr^stime was in New York putting out the call for musicians...

You missed National Condom Week: February 14-21st..,

On Tour

Lene Lovich, The Specials, Madness, GaryNuman, Pearl Harbor and the Explosions, XTC, Fingerprintz, The Jam, The Romantics, Bruce Wooley, the Cramps, Chuck Berry, Sylvain Sylvain, Ellen Foley, Rachel Sweet, Rush, the David Johansen Group, Garland Jeffreys, Robin Trower,. The Clash, UFO, Iggy Pop, Mitch Ryder, Beach Boys, J. Gerfs Band, The Pretenders.