SMALL STUFF

Rip It Up, Issue 6, 1 November 1977, Page 2

SMALL STUFF

The Latest and the Greatest Rock News

What’s a gizmo 9 Ah well, it’s a device that fixes on the bridge of an electric guitar and vibrates the strings thus enabling the guitarist to create a variety of sounds including a pretty fair imitation of a string section. So what, you say? Well, this fiendishly clever device caused the split in 10cc, with Kevin Godley and Lol Creme splitting to pursue work on the gizmo. Now, the product of this work is about to be put on sale at a mere 50 quid a throw in

Britain. Also, the twosome’s first album is due for release. Titled Consequences, it’s a three album set with guest appearances from jazz singer Sarah Vaughan and Peter Cook . . .with the Rolling Stones Love You Live out, the Stones are already working on their next. It’s being recorded in New York (where Keith Richard's undergoing a cure for heroin addiction), and is due for release by March next year at the latest and will be on EMI. The aforesaid record company paid 5 million pounds for the rights to the Stones contract. Meanwhile Keith Richard comes up for trial in Toronto next month and, in that respect the Stones have paid to

suppress a film made on their 72 US tour. As it includes various scenes involving groupies and drugs, it was felt that it might prejudice Richard’s trial . . .The Sex Pistols are also involved in making a film. It’s to be directed by Russ Meyer (infamous for his work on Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. The film will feature Rita Hayworth as Johnny Rotten’s mum and Marianne Faithful as leading lady . . . other Rockflix under production include a film version of William Burroughs book Junky which will star Patti Smith. It’ll be directed by Dennis Hopper (Easy Rider), the script will be written by Terry Southern (Candy, The Magic Christian) . . . also in the planning stages is a filmed biography of the life of Janis Joplin. It's to be based on Myra Friedman’s book, Buried Alive . . . Rock ’n’ Roll retirements never seem to last long, and Elton John’s has been no exception. He's currently touring using a band called China as back up. China includes exElton John band members Davey Johnstone on guitar and James Newton-Howard on keyboards ... ex Mott the Hoople members Morgan Fisher, Overend Watts and Buffin Griffin have joined together in a new band, British Lions. Other members are ex-Medicine Head singer John Fiddler and guitarist Ray Majors . . . Christmas is coming, and in the music biz that means a glut of goodies are due for pre-Xmas release. They include: Live doubles from Little Feat, Jackson Browne, Crosby and Nash and Elvis Presley. Also Live at the Aladdin Theatre, Las Vegas from Alice Cooper and Zappa Live in New York. Studio sets are due from Gregg Allman and Cher Two the Hard Way, David Bowie Heroes (features Robert Fripp and Carlos Alomar, Dennis Davis and George Murray), The Stranglers No More Heroes, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Rock Drill, Robin Tr/ower Parker and The Rumour Stick to Me, Phoebe Snow Never Letting Go, and a double set from Joni Mitchell titled Don Juan's Reckless Daughter with backings provided by members of Weather Report. Leo Sayer also weighs in with his newie titled Thunder in My Heart, it’s once again produced by Richard Perry ... on the horizon is the product of a surprising

partnership.lt’s Leonard Cohen’s new album Death of a Ladies Man and producer is none other than the mad maestro, Phil Spector. The album has contributions from Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan and has led to rumours of a possible Dylan-Spector link-up . . .

Split Enz’s Dizrythmia has received generally favourable, though sometimes uncertain press in Britain. Sounds said: “it’s a great improvement, a step closer to what the Enz are all about, it's confident and it’s entertaining. Frenz of the Enz will have already bought it . . . you at least should try it.’’ New Musical Express: “Dizrythmia is deliberately more accessible than the group’s first release . . . and should please those who like Mental Notes and intrigue those who didn’t.” The only bad review was for the single, “My Mistake” and came from Melody Maker, “not only mannered to the point of limpness but also boring in the extreme.” Can’t please everybody, I guess . . . watch out for Enzman Eddie Rayner’s contributions on keyboards to the new Phil Manzanera album, Listen Now . . .Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates is working on a solo album and this has sparked off rumours of a split between the two, which have of course been vigorously denied. Meanwhile, they’re off on a world tour with a band that includes ex-Elton John band members Caleb Quaye (guitar), Roger Pope (drums) and Kenny Passerelli (bass) . . . Drummer for The Damned, Rat Scabies, has quit . . . and the Bay City Rollers have joined the ranks of British tax exiles in the US. Manager Tam Paton said the band were not being accorded the respect they considered due to them in Britain, and had been unable to shake off the teeny-bop image there . . . the US of A has certainly been kind to certain other exiled Britons. Paul McCartney has been given an award for being the most played rock artist ever, with over 11 million plays on US TV and radio. Second was John Winston Lennon. Both are ex members of well known best group the Beasties . . .