SMALL STUFF

Rip It Up, Issue 8, 1 February 1978, Page 2

SMALL STUFF

The Latest & the Greatest O'seas Rock News

For all you A.J. Webberman fans out there, keenly awaiting confirmation of the Bob Dylan tour, comes news that the Zimflick, Reynaldo and Clara, has been released in America. There is no word on New Zealand release as yet. Sarah Dylan, the Clara of the title, does not receive billing in American ads for the film. Oh yeah, Bobby Neuwirth plays the Masked Tortilla’ . . . Hold your breath Bette Midler has landed the choice title role in the Janis Joplin bio-film, Pearl ... Film scoops continue with the news that Nicholas Roeg will direct an English remake of Flash Gordon: and here was me thinking Richard Lester already did that one . . . Just to remind you that this is a rock and roll magazine, we can inform you that Cher and Gregg have called it a day or at least an afternoon and Cher has filed for her fourth (count’em) separation order from the man

from Macon ... There really is some rock" and roll here you know, you just have Ito look for it ... How about this? Captain Beefheart announces the reformation of the Magic Band ... Ozzie Osbourne has left Black Sabbath to (ahem) 'pursue a solo career' ... Rumours abound that Queen are to split to ‘pursue solo careers’ . .. Roger Chapman has left Streetwalkers jto (you guessed) ‘pursue a solo career' ...

Rat Scabies has said farewell to The Damned and is probably pursuing solo mothers .. . Southside Johnny, accompanied by his many Asbury Jukes blew out a recent British tour, as did Aretha Franklin a week or two later ... Some of the ruins of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band have regrouped around guitarist Zal Cleminson. The band will be called Zal. .. Elvis Presley’s next single is that all time foot-stomper, My Way . . . The Rock Follies gang are going to do a film, despite promises to leave us alone after their second television series . . . John Rotten, currently wowing them in Allmans’ country, spotted backstage at a Garry Glitter show obviously making a play for credibility . . . The Tubes, with tongue firmly in cheek, have been announcing their credentials as ‘punk rockers’ to a credible British press during their current tour, and must be gratified at 'Shock-Horror-Probe’ stories which put the effort of the Sunday News to shame .. . The Who are embroiled in the making of an autobiographical movie called ‘The Kids are Alright - it includes live footage and Let It Be - style studio film as well as a touch of humour, Keith Moon-style .. . Somebody up there obviously likes it. Jesus Christ Superstar has just broken the record for the longest-running musical in Britain previously held by My Fair Lady . . . Emmylou Harris has a new platter almost upon us Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town, as has her fave, Dolly Parton. Dolly’s is called Here You Come Again . . . John Martyn, star of the August Arts Festival in Wellington, is making another bid for a place in the sun with a new album called One World . ..

Back to Bob Dylan it seems more likely that Jerry Wexler will produce the next album not Phil Spector as the rumours had been going ... It took a ghoul to point out that David Bowie has been on two T.V. shows in the last few months, the respective ta tas of Marc Bolan and Bing Crosby after tfie recent Radio with Pictures, perhaps Doctor Rock will be needing a little something from his black bag . . . Topselling albums of the year in Britain? I thought you'd never ask. Those doyens of the New Wave, Abba, were comfortably clear of Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles and Kristofferson and Streisand maybe next

year Johnny ... Thin Uzzy guitarist, Brian Robertson managed to stab himself in the hand with a flick-knife after taking the pledge Scotch a day. I think I looked very good, but my playing was lousy.’ .. . Locally-sprung jazz-rock band Pacific Eardrum beginning to attract attention in Britain on the eve of the release of their new (first) album ... spare a thought for the travels of the rock and roll jet set. 21-year-old Jerry Hall, fiancee of well-known Bryan Ferry was last seen disappearing from Orly Airport with even-better-known Mick Jagger for a grubby week on the Riviera .. . Speaking of Abba (I was!), their fifth album called Abba the Album will be out world-wide on my mother’s birthday February 3. Now that’s a cunning marketing ploy . . . And 'midst all this disaffection and woe, there must be someone out there glad to hear that the Supremes, despite persistent rumours to the contrary, are to continue without the last of the original members Mary Wilson ... See ya.