How could Stanley Kubrick see so far into the future to realize that nearly fifty years later we would still be worrying about the bomb? After watching this film for the second time in my life, thanks to the great film series at MoMA and Target’s Free Fridays, I am surprised that we are still here.

This film has so many possible situations that could happen at any moment, the surprise is that we still exist. Sadly, Mr. Kubrick does not. Neither does Mr. Sellers who turned in three of his finest performances in this film. If you walked into this movie without knowing the background, you would not know him in any of his roles.

The quick synopsis of the film is that a loony general, Sterling Hayden in his best role, third down from having control of “the button” has made a move that is irreversible, even by the milquetoast president who should be in charge but is more concerned with being polite to the drunken Russian Premier. General “Jack Ripper” is concerned about the Russkies taking our “precious bodily fluids” in a most uncomfortable scene that comes together at the close of the film. Another loony general, superbly played by the late George C. Scott, seems to be the only sane person in this crew – and this is just after he put his sexcapades on hold for his country. Scarily, he reminds me of Glenn Beck in more ways than one. He makes some kind of sense but you still know he is nuts.

The film was released during the early days of the LBJ reign and before we had gotten to the point of blaming the innocent men and women in uniform for the sins of this country’s fathers. In other words, the men in uniforms below generals come off as just following orders – even if they are dispensing destruction, they are still heroic. It is an amazing piece of filmmaking when a director can make you feel a bond between nameless men in a tough situation. Slim Pickens and James Earl Jones in key roles leave more of an impression than you would expect.

The Dr. Strangelove of the title is probably the most minor role in the film but one that is at once funny and scary. I recommend this film to everyone who has a sense of sarcasm but not to those who feel the “America wrong or right” sentiment that seems pretty tired right now. In the honor of full disclosure, the final scene will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Director: Stanley Kubrick Released 1964
Starring: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, James Earl Jones, Slim Pickens, Sterling Hayden
Museum of Modern Art, NYC film Series

Just the fact that Rhino Records chose to issue a 4-CD compilation on a band like Big Star says more about the label and their ability to reach out to new converts as well as old fans, like me, who will buy anything with “not previously released” or the “definitive remaster” sticker on the cover. Rhino cares about their catalog and that is why they will be here long after the majors have been relegated to clearing houses.

Releasing the Big Star set in the same week as the long-awaited Beatles remasters was a bold move. It appealed to me, since the massive pre-press for the Beatles was driving me crazy. I love it – but I know those stories! While most went to Let It Be, I went to “Don’t Lie To Me” from Big Star’s #1 Record (Stax Records, 1972) – the title, not chart position.

“Don’t Lie To Me” is a Big Star classic, Led Zeppelinish in it’s use of pop music and perfect in it’s distorted backing track. It follows “In the Street” that you know as the theme of That 70’s Show as redone by Cheap Trick. Big Star is one of those bands where the cliche line that REM’s Pete Buck likes to use from time to time: “Only 1000 people bought the first Big Star record but every one of them went out and started a band. (…apologies to the Velvet Underground).

That was certainly true in my case. MORE »

I have always had a difficult time removing the name, addresses or phone numbers of friends or family who pass away. As I am now in my lower mid-fifties, my directories are changing balance from the living to the dead at a faster pace than I am now, or want to be, used to.

Just one week after I wrote of my rocky but priceless friendship with the great Billy Lee Riley, I am faced with reliving my short but equally priceless time spent with Les Paul. Although at 94 Les was quite a few years older than Billy, he was the picture of health when I photographed him just a few months ago signing a guitar for Hungry for Music’s charity auction.

From what I understand, Les played his guitar almost to the moment of the end. I can believe that. The following remembrance may involve more people than Les, but none of the events would have happened without him – just like the direction of rock and roll with the electric guitar and multi-tracking – if there had never been a Mr. Lester William Polsfuss.  MORE »

I was saddened by the news that my old friend and business colleague Billy Lee Riley had just passed away from cancer at age 75.

I am sorry it took Billy’s passing to inspire me to write this long overdue account of our friendship, but his passing on August 2 was overlooked by most in this summer which has claimed so many people.

Go on iTunes and buy “Red Hot” or “Flying Saucer Rock and Roll” by Billy Lee Riley and see if you can tell where raw, high energy punk music reared it’s ugly, but cool, head.

I last spoke with him when I heard he was diagnosed with colon cancer two or three years ago. He had kept up with and sent prayers for my own treatment for leukemia and kept in touch until he became sick himself. I am sorry I did not maintain the friendship over the years.

I had an interesting but rocky friend/manager/producer situation with Billy but when I think back to it, I only remember the fun times and the incredible music he made. Despite the usual disputes over money and booking dates (Billy had to have at least 1000.00 to leave his house and, due to his Seven Day Adventist faith, could not perform on Saturday nights – for any amount of money), we never had cross words or got angry about anything. Frustrated, but not angry.

Billy was one of those rare talents that could be the 1950’s equivalent of Axl Rose but with a good personality and great sense of cynical humor. I have a treasured copy of a letter the legendary Cowboy Jack Clement gave to me from his landlord in 1957. Jack was politely but firmly asked to vacate his Memphis apartment following an evening of drinking wine spodeodee, (yes, there is such a thing), and concluding with Billy jumping naked off the balcony and into the pool a couple of stories below. He was not hurt, thanks in part to the wine, but the other apartment complex guests were not amused.

Billy was determined to sabotage his career from the start reportedly pouring whiskey over Sam Phillips recording desk and trashing the studio because Sam chose to promote Jerry Lee Lewis over himself (”Great Balls of Fire” or “Red Hot”). Sam could not afford to promote both and had to choose between the two rivals. Imagine the outpouring of love and remembrances that would have happened last week for Billy had the choice been reversed.  MORE »

[editor's note: Everyone give a hearty welcome to our newest contributor.  We have great expectations for him.  We're working out a few things, for what we hope becomes a weekly (or more) column.  His first real post will be up shortly!]

If I had Stephen Colbert’s cajhones I would say, “Here I am cyberspace, now welcome me with open arms!”

As I am not that self-centered so, I will say – thanks for having me write some of my experiences for you to get some insight and a few chuckles along with a backstage look at the music and independent film business. I have had the good fortune to either participate in or observe the different sides of some of the world’s biggest and most influential artists, musicians, writers and businesspeople. When I was asked to join Jim’s great website, I was a bit apprehensive despite having published articles in magazines and co-authored a critically acclaimed biography of Elvis Presley’s original musicians.

Way before the birth of blogging – I would write a weekly email to my friends filling them in my life on the road with the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Jewel and others and sometimes stories from my past or what I wanted in the future. I suppose the Luddite in me refused to jump on the bandwagon when everyone but Dick Cheney wrote regularly about their views on life, death and politics. It was also too soon to reflect on my experiences good and bad.

To fill you in on my background, I grew up and began my career in a small town in northeast Alabama, the part that wears shoes. I purchased my first guitar at the age of 13 by picking blackberries and selling them for $2.00 a gallon. I learned my first chords from a Yankee cousin who taught me how to play the Velvet Underground’s “Heroin” as my first song, No wonder I have had such a weird but interesting life.   MORE »