SMALL STUFF

Rip It Up, Issue 3, 1 August 1977, Page 1

SMALL STUFF

Presents

RIP IT UP

The La test and the Greatest Rock Hews

The latest in a series of no-show concerts is Renee Geyer. Renee Geyer will not be playing here in September. This is apparently due to a sudden change in her Australian management. There is, however, a possibility she may be here later in the year, but I wouldn't start crossing your legs in anticipation. It’s only a maybe . . .

Little Feat are to record a live album when they play 4 days at London’s Rainbow Theatre in August. They'll play the entire show with no support act, however, they will be using the Tower of Power horn section behind them. . . . others in on the great live double album stakes for 1977 ate: Rainbow, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, and Laura Nyro (hers is called Season of Light)-, while further off, there are projected live LP’s from Jackson Browne and Streetwalkers

. . . Surprise, Surprise. The New Wave bands are in the news again. Sex Pistols Johnny Rotten and Paul Cook have been injured in separate assaults. In both cases it appears they were identified as members of the Sex

Pistols and beaten. Johnny Rotten had his face slashed with a razor, while Paul Cook required 15 stitches for a head wound. Meanwhile, their manager Malcolm McLaren was beaten by the police after the Pistols played a promotional gig on a boat on the Thames. After the owner found to whom he'd hired his boat, he tried to get the band thrown off and in the subsequent scuffle McLaren was beaten . . . The Sex Pistols first single

God Save the Queen has now racked up British sales of 1 /4million, even though it only held the number one spot for one week. Their second single, "Pretty Vacant" with a flip side of the Stooge’s No Fun was . released, even though their first single still held a number 5 position in .the singles charts .•• meanwhile Jonathon King who's never been slow to cash in on a trend, has released a single called "God Save the Sex Pistols". This time he's used the name Elizabeth . . . two members of The Clash, Joe Strummer and Nicky Headon, were arrested for petty theft in Newcastle after it was alleged they d stolen pillow-cases and the room key from the Holiday Inn where they'd stayed the previous night. Guitarist, Joe 'Strummer was also arrested in London after he'd been caught spraying the word ’Clash’ on a wall well, at least it’s cheaper than hiring' billboards . . . and the fun goes on. New York punks Johnny Thunder and the Heartbreakers, while on a British tour,

were arrested in Birmingham on suspicion of theft . . . and attempts in Britain to organise a punk festival have been consistently thwarted. One organised for the Windsor area had a line-up featuring The Sex Pistols, The Stranglers, The Vibrators, The Clash, The Damned and The Jam. It had to be cancelled when the local council found out what the organisers were up to . . . meanwhile, back at the Old Wave it’s Name Dropping Time. See how many of these well known names you (yes, you!) can recognise . . . checking out Bryan Ferry’s New York gig was an audience that included: Mick Jagger, Andy Warhol, Lou Reed, Ace Frehley (from Kiss) and Deborah Harry (of Blondie) . . . back ups on the new Roger Daltrey album, One of the Boys, are provided by the likes of Rod Argent, Alvin Lee, Andy FairweatherLow, Mick Ronson and John Entwistle . . . signed to appear in the musical film of Sergeant Pepper's are Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton and the Bee Gees . . . also those of you with perceptive ears will detect the presence of the rubber-lipped one himself, Mick Jagger, singing back-up vocals on one track on Peter Frampton's new album I'm In You. Stevie Wonder can also be heard on aforementioned LP blowing a rather nice harmonica solo, while Little Feater Ritchie Hayward lays in with a little drumming skill on one track . . . NZ bass player for Be-bop Deluxe, Charlie Tumahai, has finally been granted a work permit for Britain. Tumahai has had continual problems since his work permit ran out in 1975. He was ordered out of the UK earlier this year, which forced the rest of the band to move to France to work on their next album, their lastest album, Live! In the Air Age, recorded live on a recent British tour, should be released shortly . . . that enigmatic man Van Morrison popped up recently in Britain, and played an impromptu gig at a press reception held for him. He had a mere 48 hours of rehearsal time with a pick up band that included

Mac Rebennack, also known as Dr John, on keyboards, Mick Ronson on guitar, Mo Foster on bass and Peter Van Hook on drums. At half-time, various other old fogies were added to jam on blues standards. The extra musicians included Brian Auger, Peter Bardens, Roger Chapman and Bobby Tench. By the way, Van assured interviewers that the title of his last album, Period of Transition , did not refer to the music therein, but rather to the series of photographs on the cover. So, now you know . . . Bob and Sara Dylan were formally divorced in early July, although a formal division of property has yet to be decided ... the individual members of Roxy Music continue to follow independent careers. Phil Manzanera has completed his second solo album, and is

organising a band to tour later this year to promote it. Bryan Ferry is currently resting in Los Angeles after his world tour, and will work on a new album there using American musicians . . Chris Spedding, star guitarist on Ferry's tour, is meantime getting a band together; while Eno is off to Berlin to work on Bowie's next LP . . . after George Harrison finally settled out of court with Bright Songs over his supposed 'unconscious' plagiarism of "My Sweet Lord" from the Chiffon's "He’s So Fine", he might have thought he'd seen an end to that. Well, now the whole matter's back in court again. This time the guy who holds the non-American copyright is taking George Harrison to court in Britain. Some days you just can't win . . .

Marc Bolan (you all remember T. Rex don't you?) has announced that he's completed a joint album with none other than David Bowie and Iggy Pop. He also reckons there'll be a British tour by all three together. Bowie and Iggy seem to be keeping a very lowprofile on the matter . . . Guitarist, Larry Carlton has quit the Crusaders. It was announced he was to pursue a solo career, but rumours have persisted that he will join Steely Dan. Even if he doesn't join Steely Dan as a permanent member, he'll likely be touring with them in a forecast tour later this year. Steely Dan have completed work on their last album for ABC. To be titled Ajia , it features contributions from Jeff Porcaro, Steve Gadd, Chuck Rainey, and Jim Keltner

. . . Neil Diamond is to make a movie based on his life in the '6os. Titled Free Man In Paris, Diamond will take the lead part, while Brigitte Bardot will also feature . . . Gladys Knight is working on a solo album without the Pips. Not to be out done, the Pips are working on a solo album without Gladys . . . Yes!!! It’s the Logistics of Rock ’n’ Roll Department. Featuring a cast of TR ous a n sfj and teg cos t i ■ump t y £ th sand million dollars .. . Here's what it takes to get Genesis on stage before a large crowd (in this case London's Earls Court): 8 lighting men, 2 laser beam operators, 4 sound men, one rigger, 4 roadies, 4 truck divers, plus 10 to 15 'humpers'; (that's men to fetch. and carry.) That makes 33 ;at: a low count . . . meantime, Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s tour of the States with an orchestra and chorus of 70, was apparently costing in the vicinity of $400,000 a week to keep on the road. So, I guess it's not surprising that ELP abandoned the idea after a number of I n-sold-out dates in America's Midwest . . . the attendance record for a concert by a single group 1 was broken when Pink Floyd played a Cleveland concert. They attracted 81,337, breaking the record held by Led Zeppelin for drawing 76,000 to a Detroit show . . . Led Zeppelin have been causing their fair share of destruction on a current US tour. Apart from the lads jolly destruction of the odd hotel j room, the fans \ have done their bit too. At their Houston concert, 40 people were arrested for drug ; possession, while the crowd caused $500,000 worth of damage. Their gig in Tampa, Florida was even more eventful. Twenty minutes after Led Zepp took the stage, rain forced them to leave. When the 70,000 strong crowd were asked |t o| leave, the response was a flood :of b les and cans thrown at the stage, and 125 people were hurt, 50 of them | requiring hospital treatment. And, in the I resulting traffic jam, there were 26 smashes. C est la rock’n’roll . . .-The Who have bought Shepperton Film studios for the trifling sum of 350,000 pounds. They’ll use it as a rehearsal venue and will hire it out to others for the same purpose . . . Queen are the latest in a flood Yf British tax exiles. They move to Los Angeles for a "protracted stay" .. . and finally in this coverage of the money aspects of the music biz, Abba have signed a release deal with the Eastern European countries. Seems the stumbling block in all dealings in the past has been the restrictions on currency leaving these countries. So,

Abba have agreed to sell their records for the local currency, which will then be used to buy vegetables and oil (that’s right vegetables and oil). There has to be a moral in there somewhere. The first person writing in to say that all Abba is worth is a load of old cabbages will be ignored . . . following on from the world of high finance, we bring you, Concept Dept. Weighing in with concept albums this month are Jeff Wayne, who has written and produced a double album based on HG Wells' The War of the Worlds. Taking featured roles are: Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy, David Essex, and Julie Covington. The album is narrated by Richard Burton. Other singers include Justin Hayward and NZ-er Chris Thompson, vocalist for Manfred Mann's Earthband . . . departed Steeleye Span members Bob Johnson and Peter Knight have released their first project, titled The King of Elfland’s Daughter, the album features contributions from Frankie Miller, Mary Hopkin, P.P. Arnold and Chris Farlowe. Christopher Lee acts as narrator. There is a possibility that a stage play and animated film may ensure . . . well, that's the end of the concepts. Now some trivia. Would you believe The Muppets have a top 10 single in Britain in “Halfway Down the Stairs"? ... on the other side of the Atlantic David Cassidy’s little brother Shaun holds the number 1 spot with "Da Doo Ron Ron ”, and the Bee Gee s little brother Andy has a top 10 single with "I Just Want to be Your Everything . . . Olivia Newton-John is to make her film debut with John Travolta in Grease . . . The Strawbs may put on a 'Strawbs through the Ages show as part of a series of concerts for the Royal Jubilee. The concerts would, of course, feature such past Strawbs’ members as Rick Wakeman and Hudson-Ford ... the

Band have signed a five album deal with Warner Brothers. Seems the first release under this new deal will not be the live album recorded at their farewell to performing concert, but rather a studio album . . . Edgar Winter has reformed White Trash. Original members in the band besides Edgar include: Jerry La Croix on sax, harmonica and vocals, Marshall Cyr on trumpet, Floyd Radford on guitar and Jon Smith on sax . . . ex-Edgar Winter band member, Dan Hartman is meanwhile involved in cutting demos with ex-New York Doll David Johannson . . . Albert Finney has an album out on Motown records (that's right, Motown). The LP goes under the startling title of The Albert Finney Album . . . Brand X gain their second drummer in as many months. The last' one, Joe Blocker quit due to good old artistic differences, while new man in is American, Kenwood Dennard. . . .

Thin Lizzy guitarist, Brian Robertson has rejoined the band. Robertson withdrew before their last US tour for health reasons, and former Thin Lizzy guitarist, Gary Moore, stood in for him. It was later announced that Robertson had left the band permanently to work on a solo project with ex-Rainbow bass player, Jimmy Bain. However, Moore s departure after the US tour left the way free for Robertson to rejoin the band. At first, it was unclear whether Robertson would be free to tour with Thin Lizzy, but it now appears that he will undertake a world tour with them. Whether Robertson will remain with the band permanently is still unclear. They have, however, completed recording of their new album in Toronto. Provisionally titled, Bad Reputations, it’s produced by Tony Visconti who' has previously worked with T. Rex and David Bowie among others. The album features sax contributions from Supertramp man John Helliwell and back-up vocals from Visconti's wife, Mary Hopkin.

The Average White Band have recorded an album with veteran R & B singer Ben E. King. They are currently on a tour to promote the album, Benny and Us, and the shows include King doing a set with his own band, followed by an AWB set, and as a finale, Ben E King performs with the Average Whites. This partnership will continue on an occasional basis.

Sutherland Brothers and Quiver have lost their star guitarist Tim Renwick. Currently helping out while they record their next album is the guitarist from British band Meal Ticket, Ray Flake. Jack the Lad, British folk-rock band, have decided to disband. Their split was brought on by the fact that they were unable to get a new record contract, as although they had been a consistent concert draw, they had never sold many records. The band was formed in 1973 by ex-Lindisfarne members Simon Cowe, Rod Clements and Ray Laidlaw. Laidlaw, meanwhile, has joined another ex-Lindisfarne man, Alan Hull, in a band called Radiator.

Eddie and the Hot Rods have gained a second guitarist, bringing them up to a 4 piece. The new addition is exKursaal Flyers guitarist, Graeme Douglas.

Frankie Miller's Full House have lost their piano player, Jim Hall. Replacing him on keyboards is ex-Procol Harum member, Chris Copping. Jess Roden Band have split. Roden left for the States to record a solo album and rather than await his return, the band has decided to split. Roden is also involved in work on Stomu Yamashta s second concept work following up last year s Go. Alex Harvey has rejoined the Sensational Alex Harvey Band after a one year layoff, in which time the SAHB functioned without Alex. Although the temporary retirement was claimed to be intended to give Alex time to work, in fact, it was brought on by a back injury caused by scaffolding that collapsed onto Alex during the band's last British tour.

As from August, Alex will rejoin the band for touring, even though he will still have to wear a back brace. Sailor have lost one of their two nickelodeon players. Phil Pickett has left to pursue a solo career. Deep Purple may take part in a one-off reunion as part of the Jubilee shows in London. Regardless of this reunion, Jon Lord will be appearing in his own right in the Jubilee shows with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the New York City Ballet.