July 1978
CREEM CONTENTS
I know you won't publish this letter because you have been on The Runaways' case since day one.
CHRISTGAU CONSUMER GUIDC
Robert Christgau
BOOTSY'S RUBBER BAND: "Bootsy? Player Of The Year" (Warner Bros.):: When I pay attention, I note that the slow stuff oozes along sexy as come-from-the-state-they're-named-after (back when they knew how to ooze) and the fast stuff gets over the hump just like sounds-like-Podunk (long may they wave).
ROCK 'N' ROLL NEWS
Happiness is Cher and Gene Simmons, who are the perfect match because they can share the same make-up kit. Remember the dreaded Cream reunion rumors? No dice— Ginger Baker announced his plan to open a school for aspiring polo players on his farm in Northamptonshire in the U.K.
THE BEAT GOGS ON
Rob Patterson
Van Halen: In Search Off The Baaad Chord NEW YORK—"I sure feel sorry for Mr. and Mrs. Van Halen, having to listen to that being rehearsed in the basement... "—random reaction to Van Halen's New York debut at The Palladium, 3/25/78. Face the facts, kiddos, when it comes to heavy rock and roll—y'know, the kind of stuff that sounds like a herd of dinosaurs engaging in some prehistoric S&M—a little bit of calculated outrageousness goes a long way.
Polly Promo In... GONKS GO BEE GEES
The Mad Peck
From Genesis To Revolution: STEVE HACKETT TELLS ALL
Toby Goldstein
Last year, Steve Hackett was having night dreams about erotic adventures with elephants and daydreams about leaving Genesis. Whether or not his nocturnal visions have since cleaned up their act is a matter known only to him, but in the light of day, he is indeed a free man, having cut the ties which bound him to a group for over seven years.
High and Lonesome Dave: FOGHAT PUT ON THEIR BOOGIE SHOES
Michael Davis
Consider Foghat... No, no, no. You don't consider Foghat. You boogie with Foghat. You Get Down With Foghat. You ROCK OUT with Foghat. Start again. Well, I never woulda believed that Foghat would ever sell out the Forum the first time I saw 'em.
Bob Marley Battles De Blood Clot, Mon
Rob Patterson
Tonight's special program: ROOTS, Rock, Reggae (KAYA-TV, 8:00-11:00 PM)—In last week's episode, reggae visionary and star Kunte Marley narrowly escaped death at the hands of assassins in his native Jamaica. Undaunted, the injured Marley performed his planned concert a week later, leaving Jamaica soon afterwards.
LOU REED: NO MORE HEROES, BUT PLENTY OF RESPECT
Billy Altman
One of the words mentioned most often in regard to Lou Reed's work is honest so I may as well start this story with a confession.
Features
RON WOOD ACHIEVES PUBERTY!
Barbara Charone
Glimmer Twins Held Responsible
Letter From Britain
The Shapes Of Things To Come
Simon Frith
Rush arrived this month—heavy metal, heavy manners.
FRANKIE MILLER: HE’S ROUGH & HE’S READY
Toby Goldstein
When Paul Simon pays homage to the boxer, "a fighter by his trade," carrying his years with raw honesty, I am reminded of Frankie Miller.
CALIFORNIA JAM OR MEAT LOAF SANDWICH?
Imagine it! Eighteen zillion people gathered in one place under the mistaken impression that they'll see one hip rock show, hang out, drink beer, smoke dope, and sit on their vans, when in reality they are to be dumped in a large vat as a sacrificial offering to M-E-A-T L-O-A-F!!!!
THE CLASH RULE THE NEW WAVE
Simon Frith
Anybody who knows anything knows that the Clash is the best band in Britain; what is difficult to decide is if, in 1978, this means anything to anyone else. Dunno when the Clash story started for them; for me it began a year or so ago. Punk was making its way from local fun to national obsession and while the Sex Pistols grabbed the shock horror press publicity, it was the Clash who bugged rock writers.
Creem Profiles
SWEET
(Pronounced “Boy Howdy!”)
Rewire Yourself
Whomp It Again, Sam
Bill Kanner
Late last year, B.I.C. introduced the Beam Box, a directable indoor FM antenna.
CREEMEDIA
Robot A. Hull
Frampton Swings With The Meatballs Rock superstars rarely stoop to guest starring on TV series, and dashing Peter Frampton's appearance on Black Sheep Squadron illustrated why. For instead of knocking the battery off Robert Conrad's shoulder, rock's #1 glamourboy easily could have passed for one of Pappy's baaing Lambs.
Stars Cars
ANDY GIBB
Confessions of a FILMFOX
While Bianca Jagger basks in the spotlight of The Ringer (shooting on location in Munich), talk has it that her sometimes (sigh) estranged spouse Mick is wanted by French director Roger Vadim to star in his next picture. Alice Cooper Goes Legit!
Records
THE BAND: GOOD NIGHT, GENTLEMEN
Vicki Taylor
Four of the five members of The Band (Levon Helm excepted) are Canadian, but they have come to represent, to many, a unique repository of what is best and most enduring in American music.
PUNY PERVOID INCITES MAYHEM
ROCK · A · RAMA
Richard C. Walls
ANTHONY BRAXTON—The Complete Braxton 1971(Arista Freedom):: Braxton's music is difficult to warm to—four years ago I regarded it as cold and pointless. But he's a prolific recorder and there's been ample opportunity for me to get inside his music and vice versa.
Rewire Yourself
The Iceman Cometh
Allen Hester
No offense to Eugene O'Neill or Jerry Butler, but it seems there is more than one Iceman in this, world.
Backstage
BACKSTAGE
Where the Stars Tank Up & Let Their Images Down