"PEDs? What are those?" RT @Schmutzie_ Something looks different about Mark Prior pic.twitter.com/4sYqFkqC4g
— Dave Wischnowsky (@wischlist) March 20, 2015Friday, March 20, 2015
That's Mark Prior?
RIP Michael Brown
I'll admit I didn't know Michael, but I did know three of the songs he brought into this world. Ron Smith reported the news on his facebook page this morning...
Michael Brown (nee Michael Lookofsky), keyboardist with the Left Banke and Stories, died Thursday of unknown causes. He was 65. Michael’s father, a session violinist, owned a recording studio in New York and produced, published and managed the baroque-oriented Left Banke when they formed in 1965. Michael wrote their two hits-- “Walk Away Renee” (#5-1966) and “Pretty Ballerina” (#15-1967), but when he recorded another-- “Ivy Ivy” (#119-1967) using studio musicians, the resulting friction caused the group to disband (though they later reformed without Michael and without any more hits). He went on to play with Montage before joining Stories, having been introduced to Ian Lloyd by their fathers. He stayed with the group for their first album and first three singles, including “I’m Coming Home” (#42-1972) and “Brother Louie” (#1-1973-- which initially was missing from the album). After forming the unsuccessful group, the Beckies in 1976, he eventually gave up music.
I owned this 45 RPM...
Michael Brown (nee Michael Lookofsky), keyboardist with the Left Banke and Stories, died Thursday of unknown causes. He was 65. Michael’s father, a session violinist, owned a recording studio in New York and produced, published and managed the baroque-oriented Left Banke when they formed in 1965. Michael wrote their two hits-- “Walk Away Renee” (#5-1966) and “Pretty Ballerina” (#15-1967), but when he recorded another-- “Ivy Ivy” (#119-1967) using studio musicians, the resulting friction caused the group to disband (though they later reformed without Michael and without any more hits). He went on to play with Montage before joining Stories, having been introduced to Ian Lloyd by their fathers. He stayed with the group for their first album and first three singles, including “I’m Coming Home” (#42-1972) and “Brother Louie” (#1-1973-- which initially was missing from the album). After forming the unsuccessful group, the Beckies in 1976, he eventually gave up music.
I owned this 45 RPM...
Toilet Paper Controversy Finally Ended
The patent for toilet paper should settle the over vs under debate pic.twitter.com/arZl6l6ALn
— Owen Williams (@ow) March 17, 2015It's an age old argument...does the toilet paper roll go over or under? I'm an under guy myself, and according to the original patent (which was unearthed this week) I've been doing it incorrectly for more than 50 years.
I blame my mother.
First day of (Jack) Spring!
Happy First day of Spring, on behalf of the only Cub ever named Spring….
~Jack Spring (Cubs 1964)
He pitched for seven teams in his eight big league seasons, and for exactly one month that team was the Cubs. They acquired Jack in May of 1964, and he pitched in seven games over the next few weeks. But then on June 15, 1964, Spring was called into the manager’s office and told he had been traded again. This time he was the throw-in in the trade that sent Lou Brock to the Cardinals. In St. Louis, Spring won a ring (although he didn’t make the postseason roster that year). Not sure what happened to that Brock character. One of the most miraculous stats of Jack’s career is this little tidbit: He once went 19 consecutive outings without recording a strikeout. That’s the longest streak since 1957.
He pitched for seven teams in his eight big league seasons, and for exactly one month that team was the Cubs. They acquired Jack in May of 1964, and he pitched in seven games over the next few weeks. But then on June 15, 1964, Spring was called into the manager’s office and told he had been traded again. This time he was the throw-in in the trade that sent Lou Brock to the Cardinals. In St. Louis, Spring won a ring (although he didn’t make the postseason roster that year). Not sure what happened to that Brock character. One of the most miraculous stats of Jack’s career is this little tidbit: He once went 19 consecutive outings without recording a strikeout. That’s the longest streak since 1957.
NCAA Basketball
What a great event this is.
Even if it feels a little hollow without a certain team from downstate Illinois.
Ben Finfer back at ESPN
Finfer is a smart guy, a good broadcaster, and is highly regarded by his former colleagues. I'm hoping this part-time gig leads to something a little more permanent. (I interviewed Ben for Chicago Radio Spotlight about five years ago. That interview is here.)
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Dylan Gardner
Looking forward to this show at the Beat Kitchen next Thursday night. John Landecker will introduce Dylan, and I'll be interviewing both of them for an upcoming article. Come on out if you like good pop music. Dylan is signed to Warner Brothers records...
AA Might Not Be The Only Way
Let me preface this by saying that I personally know at least a dozen people who were saved by AA. They swear by it. They attend regular meetings. They seem totally genuine and I have no reason to doubt them. I ask a ton of questions whenever I run into someone in the program--so many questions they probably think I'm ready to go there myself. (No. At least not yet. But never say never.) The reason I ask so many questions is because I also know a few who went the AA route and it wasn't successful for them, and I'm trying to figure out why.
This article in the Atlantic questions AA's results--and points to a few other potential treatment options. I have no idea if the writer's assumptions about AA are true or not (and neither does the writer--the second A in AA stands for anonymous--which means the actual results cannot be known or tested), I simply present it for those of you who have tried AA (maybe even multiple times) without success.
It's a subject near to my heart because alcohol led directly to the death of a person I loved very much. I don't want to disregard any possible cure or remedy. I'm encouraged by the science-based brain research at the heart of these new approaches. Maybe it will work for you.
Please don't get me wrong here. I'm not trying to besmirch AA. I have a ton of respect for anyone who has the courage to do whatever is necessary to stop--and AA has worked for many of them--including some very close friends of mine. My goal in sharing this article is to point out that failing at AA doesn't mean it's time to give up on life and just succumb to the bottle. If might just mean that a different path could be better for you.
This article in the Atlantic questions AA's results--and points to a few other potential treatment options. I have no idea if the writer's assumptions about AA are true or not (and neither does the writer--the second A in AA stands for anonymous--which means the actual results cannot be known or tested), I simply present it for those of you who have tried AA (maybe even multiple times) without success.
It's a subject near to my heart because alcohol led directly to the death of a person I loved very much. I don't want to disregard any possible cure or remedy. I'm encouraged by the science-based brain research at the heart of these new approaches. Maybe it will work for you.
Please don't get me wrong here. I'm not trying to besmirch AA. I have a ton of respect for anyone who has the courage to do whatever is necessary to stop--and AA has worked for many of them--including some very close friends of mine. My goal in sharing this article is to point out that failing at AA doesn't mean it's time to give up on life and just succumb to the bottle. If might just mean that a different path could be better for you.
Eddie V
Eddie Volkman recorded his first podcast yesterday. Eddie will be the subject of my April column at the Illinois Entertainer. Tony Lossano posted this photo on Twitter...
Holy Cow! Eddie V is BACK! @HarryCarays pic.twitter.com/yJiOrMGxXP
— Eddie V's Road Show (@EddieVsRoadShow) March 18, 2015Every Cub Ever (T)
What will you find there? A Hall of Famer, 18 classic baseball cards, eight Cubs named Taylor, five videos, two classic audio clips, the man who hit one of the most famous homers in history, a 1908 Cub, two brothers, the winner of the double-no-hitter game, two Japanese players, a broadcaster, a manager, a celebrity fan, a Cubs scribe, plus Chink, Dirt, Rainbow and Bird Eye.
Check it out here.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
There's some star power again this year. From the RAMP Newsletter...
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced most of the presenters and performers for the 30th Annual Induction Ceremony, which is scheduled for April 18 at Cleveland's Public Hall -- all part of Cleveland Rock Week -- the event will be heavy on star power, not the least of which will be the appearance of both surviving Beatles, as Sir Paul McCartney has graciously agreed to induct Ringo Starr. McCartney did the same for John Lennon in 1994. Stevie Wonder will induct Bill Withers; Patti Smith will induct the late Lou Reed; Peter Wolf will induct The Paul Butterfield Blues Band; Fall Out Boy will induct Green Day; John Mayer will induct the late Stevie Ray Vaughan and Steve Cropper will induct the "5" Royales. Joan Jett's inductor is still TBA.
The list of performers announced so far include Beck, Dave Grohl, Joe Walsh, Tom Morello, John Legend, Stevie Ray's big brother Jimmie Vaughan and more TBA!
The list of performers announced so far include Beck, Dave Grohl, Joe Walsh, Tom Morello, John Legend, Stevie Ray's big brother Jimmie Vaughan and more TBA!
Zander Gets New Gig
My old colleague from the Loop, Mark Zander, has a new gig. He's the program director of the new station run by Me-Tv. Radio Online has the details...
Congrats to Mark.
Weigel Broadcasting's Classic Pop 87.7 MeTV FM/Chicago hires veteran programmer Mark Zander as Program Director and Mike Horn as Imaging Director. Zander most recently was PD/afternoon talent at crosstown Classic Rock WERV-FM (95.9 The River) and Rock WRXQ-FM (QRock 100.7). He joined the Digity duo in October, 2010, was elevated to PD or WERV in early, 2011, adding Classic Rock WRXQ-FM programming duties the following September. Prior to that, he served as PD of Classic Rock WRXQ-FM/Joliet, IL.
"I have long-admired the work Neal Sabin has done on the television side with Weigel Broadcasting. I'm excited to be a part of bringing the MeTV brand to the radio, and beyond," said Zander.
Congrats to Mark.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
The Wrigley Videoboard
It doesn't really get into the pros and cons, except to note that it won't cause more noise for the neighborhood. I've never been concerned about the neighborhood, myself. Unless they moved there in 1913, they should have known what they were getting into.
I'm more concerned about the in-stadium experience. I'm still torn on this. My seats will look directly at this new video board. I'm still processing whether that's a pro or a con.
Piers Morgan on Heather Mills
It's about Heather Mills (Paul McCartney's second wife), and yes, it's a little mean (the headline is: Greedy, ghastly, lying fantasist - and those are just Heather Mills' good points! But at least she gives us all a laugh)
But Piers is the one that introduced Mills and McCartney, so he has some credibility in this area. Of course, I'm a Paul fan, so I may be a little biased about the article's conclusions.
A Nice Father/Son Moment
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RIP Jack Haley
It is with great sadness that the Haley family announces the passing of our beloved father, son, and brother. Our hearts are broken by this sudden, unexpected loss. Jack was honored and grateful for the opportunity to play in the NBA for nine years, alongside world-class athletes with the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, and New Jersey Nets. He cherished every moment and gave 100% whether on or off the court. And more than anything, Jack dearly loved his family. We are humbled and grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers form around the country. An autopsy revealed cause of death as a result of heart disease.
Bulls beat writer Sam Smith has a great piece about Haley at bulls.com.
Jack Haley, the onetime Chicago Bull who played parts of nine NBA seasons with four NBA teams and the Bulls twice, died Tuesday at 51. The cause was believed to be a heart attack.
Ironic and sad, really, because few had more heart, the way we use it colloquially in sports, more than Jack.
You’ll read and hear about Haley being the caddie or babysitter for Dennis Rodman on the champion 1996 Bulls, being the guy who waved the towel enthusiastically from the bench, sort of a 12th man punch line. That was Haley, sure. But there was much more to Jack and why in many respects, as much as Rodman and Michael Jordan and college teammate Reggie Miller and so many of the great players of that era, Jack was a guy to admire and respect and perhaps more so a model for the rest of us.
We couldn’t be like Mike.
We could be like Jack.
Read the entire piece. There are some great stories about him there. RIP, Jack. We'll always remember you in Chicago.
RIP Andy Frasur
Former Free bassist Andy Frasur has passed away. From All Access...
London-born ANDY FRASER, a child prodigy who played with JOHN MAYALL’S BLUESBREAKERS before his 16th birthday, then joined FREE as a bass player, where he created the famous riff in “All Right Now,” passed away in his TEMECULA, CA, home of unknown causes at the age of 62. After moving to CALIFORNIA, he wrote hits for ROBERT PLAMER (“Every Kinda People”), JOE COCKER, CHAKA KHAN, ROD STEWART and PAUL YOUNG. FRASER contracted a rare form of cancer, Kaposi’s sarcoma, in the ‘80s, and was diagnosed with AIDS shortly after coming out as a homosexual. Up until his passing, he was considered the “poster child” for living with AIDS and not have it be a death sentence.
If he did nothing else in his life, this incredible riff on "All Right Now" made him an indispensible part of rock and roll history...
London-born ANDY FRASER, a child prodigy who played with JOHN MAYALL’S BLUESBREAKERS before his 16th birthday, then joined FREE as a bass player, where he created the famous riff in “All Right Now,” passed away in his TEMECULA, CA, home of unknown causes at the age of 62. After moving to CALIFORNIA, he wrote hits for ROBERT PLAMER (“Every Kinda People”), JOE COCKER, CHAKA KHAN, ROD STEWART and PAUL YOUNG. FRASER contracted a rare form of cancer, Kaposi’s sarcoma, in the ‘80s, and was diagnosed with AIDS shortly after coming out as a homosexual. Up until his passing, he was considered the “poster child” for living with AIDS and not have it be a death sentence.
If he did nothing else in his life, this incredible riff on "All Right Now" made him an indispensible part of rock and roll history...
Every Cub Ever (S)
What will you find there? Five Hall of Famers, 31 classic baseball cards, 22 videos, 16 Cubs named Smith, seven Celebrity fans, five 1908 Cubs, five classic audio clips, 5 Cubs named Stephenson, three broadcasters, three scribes, three 1945 Cubs, three 1969 Cubs, two executives, a kidnapper, an evangelist, the wrong Sewell, the man who created a presidential scandal, plus Grumpy, Bear Tracks and the Brat.
Check it out here.
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