A fan letter to Bob Seger

Bob Seger
% Punch Enterprises
567 Purdy St.
Birmingham, MI 48009

Dear Bob,

Just a note from some of your long-time Upper Peninsula fans to remind you how much we've enjoyed your music since you first recorded as a young man nearly forty years ago.

Although many of your fans here are a little older now, many younger folks were made aware of your talents when the heavy metal band Metallica recorded a version of your classic song "Turn the Page," about life on the road.

While you're continuing to add new fans, many of us still love the great body of work you produced before your commercial breakthrough in 1976 with "Night Moves." You were rockin' at your best when you recorded your first songs like "East Side Story," "Persecution Smith," "Chain Smokin'," and "Heavy Music." Fast-talking deejays had a bit of trouble though when your group was called Bob Seger and The Last Heard (try it!).

Then, of course you formed the Bob Seger System in 1968 and snagged a No. 17 national hit with "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man." Heck, that song was on the jukebox at Baron's Bar in Escanaba for years and years. We know how hard it must have been to carry on when your great follow- ups-- "Ivory" and "Lucifer"-- didn't became hits outside of Michigan and Florida.

We admire how you persevered, performing hundreds of concerts every year. You probably remember doing shows in the early seventies at Northern Michigan University in Marquette with Bachman Turner Overdrive and at Michigan Tech in Houghton. When your warm-up band traveled by mistake to downstate Houghton Lake, you thought nothing of taking the stage first so as not to disappoint the crowd, while the other band sped toward the Keweenaw.

And you kept it up. Songs like "Lookin' Back," "If I Were a Carpenter," and "Get Out of Denver," are indelibly etched into the minds of tens of thousands of Midwest radio listeners (and concert goers).

You were unrecognized nationally then, but your Midwest fans bought those singles and cherished them. Even more treasured were your first seven (count 'em- seven!) long playing records. The grooves are worn out on "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man," "Noah," "Mongrel," "Brand New Morning," "Back in '72," and "Seven." Although you released 1972's "Smokin' O. P.'s" on compact disc last summer, all your other early material remains out-of-print.

Of course, all your wonderful late-seventies and eighties albums with the Silver Bullet Band remain available and are reason enough that you were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall on Fame in 2004.

Your two greatest hits compilations are especially stellar with 19 Top 40 hits. The first volume, from 1994, with "Old Time Rock & Roll," "Against the Wind," and "Like a Rock," even includes two new tracks. In 2003, you did the same with Greatest Hits 2, by adding "Satisfied" and "Tomorrow." Those new songs really whetted our appetite for something new. Publicity at the time indicated a fresh album would be forthcoming.

We are still eagerly awaiting your new effort and we realize you're a bit of a perfectionist. But, it's been ten years since your last studio album, "It's a Mystery," and we're getting a little anxious.

Now, we understand from Capitol Records that "Face the Promise" is scheduled for release May 2, 2006. That's just a few days before your 61st birthday. This summer would be a great time to tour, too. Although you had a record-breaking American tour in 1996, that was a decade ago.

So, here's hoping you'll release your early material soon. You'd make a lot of people happy. And, best of luck on the new album, too. We're ready for the Bob Seger story to continue.

Thanks, Your U. P. Fans

P. S. If you want to sail into Little Bay de Noc again on your boat Lightning, you know how hospitable the folks around Escanaba can be.

The 'Creem' of Michigan rock

Back in the distant mists of time, Michigan seeded homegrown rock acts and an underground press which together sparked an exciting counterculture, if only briefly.

At the forefront were musical groups such as the punk prototype Motor City 5 (MC5) and the Fifth Estate, a counterculture rag founded at Wayne State University in 1965.

The scene was eagerly embraced by tens of thousands of college students at campuses across the state who were protesting the Vietnam War, calling for women's liberation and racial equality.

Rolling Stone magazine, founded by Jann Wenner in San Francisco, was viewed by many as an "underground" publication. Now a slick magazine, Rolling Stone was originally printed on newsprint and folded into magazine size. It was the country's original serious music paper and provided a national forum for the emerging underground scene.

Detroit, meanwhile, was the base for Creem Magazine, edited for a time by Lester Bangs, who earned credence as an irreverent rock critic and commentator on the social scene. Creem's logo was a drawing of a milk (or beer) bottle dubbed "Boy Howdy." Robert Crumb drew the cartoon for $50 in 1969 despite having a growing national reputation in independent comics.

With a visit to the neighborhood record store a customer could pick-up music from the hippest Michigan bands and plenty of counterculture reading material. In East Lansing, half a dozen such independent shops existed across the street from the Michigan State University campus.

On the music side of this intersection were the MC5, managed by political activist John Sinclair; Detroit's namesake band featuring a newly -invigorated Mitch Ryder; Bob Seger System; SRC; Frijid Pink; Frost; Amboy Dukes; Brownsville Station; Catfish Hodge; Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen; and Iggy Pop and the Stooges.

The journalistic side of the equation included Ypsilanti's Second Coming, Ann Arbor Argus, East Lansing's The Paper, and other regionally produced publications. Other well-known (at the time, anyway) underground newspapers included Chicago Seed, San Francisco Oracle, Atlanta's Great Speckled Bird, Berkeley Barb and Los Angeles Free Press. Even Escanaba had an underground publication called The Experiment, edited by this writer.

Independent comics also flourished. One of the most popular was The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers comic book drawn by Gilbert Shelton, which featured the adventures of three hippies, Freewheelin' Franklin, Fat Freddie and Phineas. I still own issue No. 2 which features each of the brothers giving a different hand gesture on the cover.

Besides music and various publications, the counterculture needed accompanying gear. Headshops sprung up to supply rolling papers, herbs, blacklight posters, psychedelic clothing, incense and lighters, pins, stickers and similar artifacts. One such collective of shops near Central Michigan University was called Mountain City, a reference to Mt. Pleasant.

Concerts were another unifying factor and Michigan's bands delivered the goods. Singer Rob Tyner led the MC5 through wild versions of "Kick Out the Jams" and tons of great original material only to miss national acclaim for their politics. Ditto for Iggy Pop. Ted Nugent's Amboy Dukes took us on a "Journey to the Center of Your Mind." Frijid Pink released a killer update on "House of the Rising Sun" and Brownsville Station earned praise for shows featuring their hit "Smokin' in the Boys Room." SRC ignited concert-goers with "Black Sheep," while Bob Seger ran through myriad regional hits--including "Heavy Music"-- with little recognition.

Creem--calling itself America's Only Rock & Roll Magazine-- became headquarters for Mitch Ryder's Detroit, making a direct link between the music and rock journalism.

Still, failure to achieve national success spelled doom for many great Michigan bands. By 1975, as its college-age participants grew older, the youth culture experiment faded.

Rock history: Berry to Carey

Settle down, students. Any questions?

Who invented rock 'n' roll? Many people give the nod for the first rock record to Bill Haley and His Comets who released "Rock Around the Clock" in 1955. But if you want to recognize someone who had an early dynamic influence look to Chuck Berry. Berry added tasty guitar licks to his "poems" and teenage America responded. Dozens went on to became anthems, if you will. Add 'em up: " Maybellene," "School Day," "Rock & Roll Music," "Sweet Little Sixteen," "Johnny B. Goode" and more. The Beatles made "Roll Over Beethoven" an international hit. The Rolling Stones did the same with "Carol." Every rock band (even Judas Priest) knows his songs. To prove it, Berry toured for years with pick-up bands he hired where ever he was playing. For more proof watch the movie "Hail, Hail Rock & Roll."

Ever see Berry live? Sure. Berry performed a free outdoor show at Central Michigan University in the fall of 1972, backed by The Woolies, the East Lansing garage band often utilized by the veteran rocker during this period. The crowd cheered and sang along as he played "My Ding-A-Ling," his only number one song, from 1972.

Wasn't Elvis Presley the biggest rock star? Presley was phenomenal and achieved greater fame than Berry. He had more than 150 chart hits in the United States starting with "Heartbreak Hotel" in 1956. Elvis is certainly the King of Rock & Roll, but he rarely wrote his own material. He was good looking, had a great voice and starred in dozens of movies besides. Whatever there was to do in rock music, he probably did it first. He was the number one star of the fifties, number two in the sixties (behind only the Beatles) and still in the top ten recording artists in the seventies.

Why did people like the Beatles so much? Music fans were eager for a change from the fifties- style music they were still hearing in the early 1960s. The Beatles appeared in the United States with a gigantic single ("I Want to Hold Your Hand") following the assassination of President Kennedy when the country was about to enter a turbulent era. In fact, the Beatles were at the forefront-- if not leading-- a countercultural revolution. In the beginning, though, they were just four lovable "moptops." As the sixties progressed they had an unprecedented 21 number one hit singles and a dozen smash albums which broke all barriers in modern pop music. Their impact on music and society cannot be over estimated. After their break-up in 1970, each had successful solo careers, racking up another 16 number one hits.

When did the singer-songwriter period begin? As the seventies dawned, Elton John and other solo artists took the public's imagination. John and songwriting partner Bernie Taupin penned dozens of top hits, including "Crocodile Rock" and "Bennie and the Jets." He was the top hit producing machine of the decade, followed by Paul McCartney and his new band, Wings. Elton continued as the seventh best selling act in the eighties, still making the top ten list for the nineties as well.

Who toppled Elton John from the top spot in the eighties? That would be the famous and infamous Michael Jackson who hit big with "Billie Jean" and "Beat It." He even teamed with Paul McCartney for "Say, Say, Say." Jackson had been a star since 1969 as lead vocalist for the Jackson Five. His 1982 album "Thriller" is amongst the best-selling LPs of all time at over 40 million copies. The public has been fascinated with Jackson (the tabloids label him Wacko-Jacko), even as he's slipped into more and more bizarre behavior. He survived a child molestation trial and now lives in Bahrain. He had 13 number ones, but his unlikely to have another, at least in the United States.

Who was the most popular artist of the nineties? Mariah Carey-- who has a top-selling album right now with "Emancipation of Mimi" -- has been extremely popular since "Vision of Love" appeared in 1990. She won the best new artist Grammy award that year and later starred in the movie "Glimmer." She had an incredible 15 number one singles in the nineties and was nominated for eight Grammys just last week. Janet Jackson and Madonna follow as most popular artists of the decade.

Where is rock music going now? That's a good question. Certainly, hip hop and rap have been incorporated into the sound of modern music. The future is anyone's guess, but it's bound to include the likes of Eminem, Jay-Z, Nelly and their cohorts. Perhaps someone will give an old Chuck Berry riff a twist and turn it into the next big thing.

Class dismissed!

How to get Mitch Ryder's autograph

Sometimes getting a rock star's autograph can require a little time.

Take Mitch Ryder, for instance.

You may remember Ryder from his ferocious 1966-67 singles such as "Devil With the Blue Dress On/ Good Golly Miss Molly," "Sock It to Me Baby," or "Jenny Take a Ride." He's still a staple on oldies radio.

In fact, Ryder was the first great Detroit rock and roller. Born William Levise Jr., he was leader of the Detroit Wheels, the original white American r&b/rock band which hit the Billboard singles chart seven times in two years. He struck gold as a solo act four more times before forming the supergroup "Detroit" in 1971.

Detroit's first and only LP featured eight propulsive tracks inside a beautifully conceived cover designed by Stanley Mouse, a San Francisco artist famed for his concert poster work. The cover evoked Detroit (the city and the band) with its stylized vintage sedan, flag back drop, metal wings and insignia with a small gear dotting the "i" in the group's name.

At the forefront of a new brand of Michigan hard rock, Detroit generated considerable excitement when it topped a bill at Central Michigan University's Finch Fieldhouse on Saturday, April 8, 1972.

The poster for the event, designed by noted artist Gary Grimshaw, featured an eye within a pyramid and a prominent gear with the words "Motor City roll & roll." Sponsored by WCHP Rock Radio, tickets for the show cost $3.

Several thousand fans (including myself) cheered throughout the high energy performances which also included Brownsville Station (famous for the superior original version of "Smokin' in the Boys Room") and Teegarden & VanWinkle (renowned for backing Bob Seger on his "Smokin' OP's" disc). Apparently, there was a lot of "smokin'" going on in those days.

Especially appealing were the screaming rocker "Long Neck Goose" and a Lou Reed-penned song, "Rock 'N Roll." (Reed called the Detroit version the definitive take of his song and, to prove it, stole guitarist Steve Hunter from Ryder's band.)

While my roommates and I got a copy of the concert poster as a souvenir and to display in our dorm room, there was no opportunity to get it autographed. When graduation came, I was not fortunate enough to take home the coveted item.

Years passed.

Ryder, meanwhile, recorded "Never Kick a Sleeping Dog," produced by John Mellencamp, and enjoyed a mid-1980's European revival.

Then, one day in the mid-1990's, my wife Sue and I spotted the poster from the 1972 CMU show on an EBay auction. We bid and won. The item was actually quite rare since concert promoters usually only printed a few dozen posters to to put up around campus and the community.

Although we had returned to CMU periodically through the years, the 1997 homecoming celebration was special. That's because Ryder was to perform at an alumni dance. So, for the price of a pair of $18 tickets, we set off to see him at the same venue he appeared at all those years ago.

On Saturday, Oct. 11, Ryder put on an energetic show in front of an enthusiastic, if older, crowd. His band included Johnny "Bee" Badanjek from the original Detroit Wheels who pounded the skins during Ryder's hit-filled set.

After the encore, Sue was along side the stage and got Ryder's autograph on the old poster. He signed "Always, Mitch Ryder."

To put poster and signature together took 25 years, six months and three days.

Sometimes, getting a rock star's autograph can require a little time.

Christmas with the Shropshires

You know Dr. E. Shropshire, right?

Hint 1: As well as being a famous musician, he's a retired veterinarian. Hint 2: His first name's Elmo.

Yes, Dr. Elmo teamed with wife Patsy to record the novelty classic "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer."

Don't laugh, the song made the duo and songwriter Randy Brooks rich folks. Royalty checks continue to arrive in their mailboxes on a regular basis. In fact, at 10 million copies, that "Grandma" song is the best selling independent single of all time.

The song was first aired by a San Francisco radio station in 1979 and later picked up for national distribution by Epic Records.

Elmo & Patsy made four albums together, none as successful as "Grandma," before the partnership ended in divorce. Dr. Elmo, now in his 60s, has since remarried and lives on his rural estate in California. He founded a label called Laughing Stock Records to market his products and hosts his own website. Ex-wife Patsy, meanwhile, keeps a low profile.

"Grandma" was the top charting song in for two consecutive years in the Eighties and continued its popularity with another spike in sales in 1997.

In fact, when MTV began airing the "Grandma" video in 1983, it topped Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" on Billboard's holiday chart. That was quite a feat, considering....

Crosby's label first released "White Christmas" for the 1954 holiday season. It went to the lucky No. 13 position on the pop charts and sold strongly every Christmas through 1962. The following year, Crosby took "Do You Hear What I Hear" to No. 2 on the pop chart.

In his career, Crosby also released other seasonal hits including "Silver Bells," "Silent Night," "How Lonely Is Christmas," "Oh Come all Ye Faithful," and "Peace on Earth/ Little Drummer Boy." (The last song was revived in 1977 when David Bowie joined Crosby in a version which appeared in Bing's TV Christmas special).

The color of Christmas 1964 changed when Elvis struck holiday gold. "Blue Christmas" was the top selling holiday single and an evergreen selection since.

Another perennial favorite is John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)." Actually, the song is performed by John & Yoko and the Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir. The song, first released in 1971, has charted in each decade, reaching No. 32 on the adult contemporary chart in 1995.

Lennon's fellow Beatles have also recorded holiday songs throughout the years. Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" reached the No. 10 position on the Christmas chart in 1984. George Harrison reached No. 36 on the pop singles chart with "Ding Dong Ding Dong" in 1975, while Ringo Starr has recorded an entire album's worth of Christmas material, including his own take on "Little Drummer Boy."

Most everyone has a favorite Christmas tune. In the Upper Peninsula, Da Yoopers' "Rusty Chevrolet" has been popular since being released in 1986.

In 2000, the country group Shedaisy took "Deck the Halls" to No. 61 on the pop singles chart. That's no big deal, but the song took me back to 1961 at Lemmer Elementary School. Fifth grade teacher Mrs. McEachern, eager to make a good impression at the annual Christmas program, made her class practice singing "Deck the Halls" virtually from the first day of school. Fifth graders today would giggle at "Don we now our gay apparel." And, don't forget the seemingly endless "Fa la la la la, la la la la....

With a snappy chorus like that, even Dr. Elmo would be proud.

Michigan's greatest music stars

Who are Michigan's greatest music stars?

Actually, there might be more to choose from than you think.

Of course, Detroit was home to famed Motown Records, presenting the "Sound of Young America" as envisioned by founder Berry Gordy. Gordy brought us the incomparable "Little" Stevie Wonder ("I Just Called to Say I Love You"), born Steveland Morris in Saginaw. A member of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, he's recorded at least 65 hit singles, including nine at No. 1.

The Four Tops ("I Can't Help Myself") and Temptations ("My Girl") fascinated us with their vocal abilities and were rewarded with 100 chart entries and places in the Hall of Fame.

The Supremes racked up 12 No.1 singles, including "Baby Love," in a brief period with lead singer Diana Ross ("Endless Love") adding six more chart-toppers as a solo artist. Label-mates The Miracles ("Tears of a Clown") charted 46 times, while leader Smokey Robinson ("Being with You") added 25 more as a solo performer.

Don't forget two more Hall of Famers: Marvin Gaye ("I Heard it Through the Grapevine") and Martha and the Vandellas ("Dancing in the Streets"). Mary Wells responded to the Temptations with "My Girl" and more than 20 other chart entries.

Michigan has produced at least two "queens." Aretha Franklin ("Respect"), who recorded for Atlantic Records, is known-- rightly--as the Queen of Soul. Born in Memphis, but raised in Detroit, Aretha has more than 75 chart entries. Pop diva Madonna, meanwhile, is considered by some as the "Queen of Pop." Born Madonna Ciccone in Bay City, her string of hits began with "Borderline," and continues with her recent release, "Confessions on a Dance Floor." Aretha was the first woman inducted into the Hall of Fame and Madonna, with 35 Top Ten tunes, is sure to follow.

Lots of rockers sprung from Michigan roots including 2004 Hall of Famer Bob Seger ("Shakedown"), U. P. favorite Ted Nugent ("Cat Scratch Fever") and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels ("Devil with the Blue Dress On"). Tommy James ("Crimson and Clover") was born in Dayton, Ohio, but raised in downstate Niles. The late singer and Hall of Fame inductee Del Shannon ("Runaway") was born in downstate Coopersville.

Speaking of "cooper," Detroit-born rocker Vincent Furnier found fame when he changed his name to Alice Cooper and recorded "School's Out." Don't forget Grand Funk Railroad ("The Loco-motion") hailed from Flint. For a time, Mark, Don and Mel were more famous than the Beatles, or so the legend goes.

In recent years, the Grand Rapids band Verve Pipe hit the charts with "Freshmen," while Detroit's White Stripes-- a duo featuring Jack White and his ex-wife Meg-- have put five long players on the chart to the delight of their many fans.

Saginaw produced the Latino band ? and the Mysterians who hit with "96 Tears." Based in Detroit, punk rock pioneers MC5 ("Kick Out the Jams") had a trio of great albums on Elektra Records. Iggy Pop, born James Osterberg in Muskegon, and the Stooges were equally influential.

When the New Wave fad arrived later in the decade, the Romantics struck gold with their recording of "Talking in Your Sleep."

By the 1990s, hip-hop was in style and Detroit's Eminem, born Marshall Mathers, became its most famous star. He'll add another disc to his hit list when "Curtain Call" is released on Dec 6. Dearborn native Kid Rock, born Robert Ritchie, meanwhile, scored with "Picture" in 2003 and dated Pamela Anderson to top it off.

Fellow hip hop stars Insane Clown Posse also come from suburban Detroit, but--despite their millions of fans--have been voted the worst band in any genre according to Rolling Stone and Spin magazine polls. Perhaps they shouldn't be considered in any "greatest" discussion.

So, who are Michigan's greatest music stars?

You decide.

Waiting for Pink Floyd memories

Nobody can accuse the legendary Pink Floyd and ex-bandmate (think: leader) Roger Waters of haste. Both have prominently resurfaced as rock icons due to the release of new material which has been years in the making.

Waters spent ten years working on "Ca Ira," an opera about the French Revolution which has quickly became a top selling classical title.

Pink Floyd, meanwhile, on Dec. 6 will release the "Pulse" DVD chronicling their final tour in 1994.

Much to the surprise of fans, Pink Floyd and Waters-- who talk to each other only through their lawyers-- reunited on July 2 at Hyde Park in London for a brief set during the Live 8 concerts. Waters announced, however, there would be no permanent reunion.

The four disc Live 8 DVD preserves their new performances of "Speak to Me," "Breathe," "Money," "Wish You Were Here," and "Comfortably Numb." The last time Pink Floyd had performed with Waters was during 1983's "Final Cut" tour. Sadly, the 22 years since have been filled with legal and personal feuds.

That wasn't the case when "Dark Side of the Moon" (DSotM) was released on March 2, 1973. The entire band contributed songs to this classic concept album which dealt with the pressures of life and proved very popular with radio programmers.

In fact, generations of fans are familiar with this album. It peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard magazine album chart and is the second best selling disc of all time, with an estimated 40 million copies sold worldwide. Even at this late date, the album sells a phenomenal 8,000 copies a week. It's said one in every 14 Americans under the age of 50 owns a copy.

The group followed up in 1979 with another opus, a two-disc multi-million selling set titled "The Wall."

With that back-drop, Pink Floyd fans from the Upper Peninsula traveled by bus on July 3, 1994 to see the band perform at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. Without Waters, the band played uncompromising versions of songs from the then-new "Division Bell" as well as DSotM in its entirety.

Despite rain, the crowd enjoyed a great show featuring David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Richard Wright and an eight-person back-up band. The "Pulse" DVD will feature the concert's back-screen stage projections and numerous videos.

Our willingness to endure long hours of bus travel was primed by Pink Floyd's classic albums as well as an incident from the early 1990s.

It happened on a forgotten date circa 1993. Two well dressed women entered the Record Rack, then located at 1107 Ludington St. They looked around and complimented owner Sue Seymour on the collection of rock 'n' roll memorabilia displayed on the walls. The women, with British accents, mentioned they were "on holiday," traveling from Detroit to Minneapolis by car.

A few minutes after they left, a man wearing a brown leather bomber jacket, entered the store. He checked under "P" and "W" in the compact disc section (presumably for Pink Floyd and Roger Waters titles) and looked about. He then approached Sue at the check out counter and mentioned the store's display of signed photographs.

"I see you have a lot of autographs," the man said. "Yes, I do," Sue responded. "Would you like mine?" the man asked. "O.K., but who are you?" Sue replied.

"Give me a piece of paper and pen," the man said. He scribbled a note and quickly left. It read: "You're not just another brick in the wall. (signed) Roger Waters, Pink Floyd." Sue later confirmed Waters' identity through photos and comparisons with other autographs.

Meeting Roger Waters and seeing Pink Floyd perform would probably top any fan's want list. Now we've finally got the music and video to back-up the memories.

Ten memorable live discs

What are rock's greatest live recordings? That probably depends on your criteria, but certainly performance, song selection and sound quality must be considered. And, don't forget the "feel" of a live recording, surrounding you with atmospheric sounds as if you're sitting in the front row. With that in mind, the following titles, in alphabetical order, can't be ignored as among the best in the genre:

J. GEILS BAND, FULL HOUSE- Recorded over two nights at the Cinderella Ballroom in Detroit, this is THE party record of all time. Razor sharp from years of touring, vocalist Peter Wolf, guitarist Geils and bandmates storm through a set of mostly covers sure to get you movin'. Magic Dick's harp fills are phenomenal and the rhythm section cooks. You won't forget opener "First I Look at the Purse" and "Whammer Jammer." At the time, everybody knew these songs.

GRATEFUL DEAD, HUNDRED YEAR HALL- The Dead, with the distinctive guitar of Jerry Garcia, performed for adoring fans for thirty years. The band itself recorded thousands of shows and they even encouraged fans to do the same with their famous "tapers' section." While you can find many great Dead live efforts, including some more famous, this outing is nothing short of superb. Jerry and bassist Phil Lesh power the band through two and one-half hours of classic material and jam until the European audience is convinced of of the Dead's prowess. "Cryptical Envelopment " alone lasts 36 minutes, for you doubters.

JIMI HENDRIX, LIVE AT WINTERLAND- Lots of great Jimi performances have been released since the guitar master died over 30 years ago. While "Band of Gypsys" was the only live album released during his lifetime, this Ryko release aptly demonstrates Hendrix' timeless appeal. This historic disc was digitally mixed and mastered from original multi-track recordings and features over an hour of hits and four tracks unavailable elsewhere. Jimi at his best.

GEORGE HARRISON & FRIENDS, CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH- Just re-released on CD and DVD, this was the first superstar concert for the benefit of charity. Organized by Harrison for the relief of refugees from Bangladesh, this show features Eric Clapton. Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Leon Russell and Billy Preston performing before an appreciative crowd at a time when musicians and their fans thought music could change the world. The re-issue includes the addition of Dylan's "Love Minus Zero/ No Limit." Harrison and his co-performers earned Grammys for best disc of the year.

VARIOUS ARTISTS, CONCERT FOR GEORGE- Staged a year after George Harrison's death, this 2002 effort defines the modern rock concert. Organized by Eric Clapton, myriad stars give masterful takes on the Harrison songbook. Ex-bandmate Paul McCartney delivers stunning versions of "For You Blue" and the signature "All Things Must Pass". His ukulele backed "Something" is especially touching. The two-disc set also includes Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Ringo Starr. Also available as a flawless DVD program.

MC5, KICK OUT THE JAMS- A perfect document for the rock 'n' roll community around Detroit in the late Sixties- early Seventies period. Recorded at the Grande Ballroom on Oct. 30-31, 1968, this disc provided the blueprint for punk bands for generations to come. The MC5, led by singer Rob Tyner, was so incendiary as to be barely contained on disc. With the unforgettable introduction of Brother J. C. Crawford, this disc transports you to an ancient and incredibly exciting era. No kidding.

VARIOUS ARTISTS, CONCERT FOR THE ROCK 'N' ROLL HALL OF FAME- Recorded in Cleveland, this show rocked the 60,000 people lucky enough to attend. Starting with "R. O. C. K. in the U. S. A." by John Mellencamp, this show featured rock's elite performing at the peak of their abilities. Bruce Springsteen, Allman Brothers, Johnny Cash. You get the idea. A priceless memento for why rock still matters.

BOB SEGER and THE SILVER BULLET BAND, LIVE BULLET- Seger laid the foundation for his national break-out with this impressive show before a home-town crowd. Recorded live at Detroit's Cobo Hall, this disc rocks hard with Seger's renditions of "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man," "Heavy Music," and "Let it Rock." Listening to this disc will make a Seger fan of anyone and shows why he deserved the wide recognition he attained the following year with "Night Moves."

THE WHO, LIVE AT LEEDS- Every Who fan holds this disc in high regard. With the dual attack of "Young Man Blues" and "Summertime Blues," this record cannot be denied. Singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon shred these songs. Call it the definition of rock 'n' roll.

VARIOUS ARTISTS, WOODSTOCK- Absolutely essential, even if you're not from the Woodstock generation. This presents the greatest players of an influential era making a gigantic statement. Nothing less. Whether by compact disc or movie, players such as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Santana, Jimi Hendrix and The Who deliver the goods in memorable fashion.

NIRVANA, MTV UNPLUGGED IN NEW YORK- Honorable mention.

Redefining 'old' in rock 'n' roll

Can you still rock 'n' roll at 40? How about 50? Can musicians who qualify for the senior citizen discount still fill arenas and put new albums on the charts?

Well, some aging rock stars have been answering those questions in recent months with a resounding "yes."

Original baby boomer stars who have refused to retire include Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Rod Stewart. Don't forget the touring titans-- The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney-- all over 60. Ironically, this is the rebellious generation, which in their youth, prompted kids not to trust anyone over 30.

Aerosmith, only slightly less curmudgeonly than the Stones, just released a new album, "Rockin' the Joint," coming 32 years after their "Dream On" smash hit. Formed in 1970, it took Aerosmith until 1998 to score a No. 1 hit in "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing."

60-year-old Stewart, a member of the Small Faces eons ago, is on his fourth volume of the "Great American Songbook" series. While not exactly rocking out, Stewart is selling scads of CDs by concentrating on interpreting old standards.

You may wish to see a little less of Ozzy Osbourne, frontman for hard rock pioneers Black Sabbath. Still, he has his heavy metal Ozzfest tour and "Osbournes" TV program. With a new album of cover songs out this week, you may argue whether he is aging gracefully, but he is aging.

Bob Dylan took America by storm as a young musician and poet more than forty years ago. Although the hits stopped coming almost four decades ago, Dylan-- at age 64-- continues to tour and release new material. He remains a cultural icon although contemporary radio would never play his songs (although maybe they should).

Clapton, regarded early in his career as a guitar god, turned 60 this year and celebrated by releasing "Back Home," a new studio album. A former member of the Yardbirds, Bluesbreakers, Cream, and Derek and the Dominos, Clapton has been indulging his blues persona in recent years.

He released two CD's of material written by Robert Johnson, covering all known recordings of the revered 1930's bluesman. Clapton also finally teamed with his hero, B. B. King, for a well-received collaborative effort. In working with King, who turned 80 in September, Clapton was a mere whipper-snapper by comparison.

In fact, while rock audiences adore their youthful hit-makers, blues fans seem to appreciate the elder musician who has honed his playing and singing over a lifetime.

The prolific Neil Young, who survived a brain aneurysm this year, continues to take his fans on a wide-ranging musical journey. He is so busy with recording new songs he can't find the time to prepare long-promised retrospective packages. The 59-year-old Young recently issued a disc called "Prairie Wind."

Even some stars who dominated the music business in recent years aren't quite so young. Madonna is 47. Members of U2, Metallica, Motley Crue and Bon Jovi are also in their 40s. The "Boss" Bruce Springsteen turned 56 in September.

The Sixties were a long time ago, but so were the Eighties. Both decades, in fact, now provide successful radio formats.

Many of rock's original stars survive and continue to perform. Chuck Berry, who brought his irresistible hits to American teenagers in the 1950's is also 80. The Godfather of Soul, James Brown is 72, while Fats Domino is 77. Piano-pounding Jerry Lee Lewis is 70, while Little Richard is 73. Hall of Famers Don and Phil Everly, are 68 and 66, respectively.

While it's unlikely any of rock's founders will return to prominence, the influential Sixties-era stars who survive may be re-defining what it means to be "old" in rock 'n' roll.

We'll wait to hear from Britney Spears, age 23.

McCartney plays decades of hits

Paul McCartney opened his Oct. 23 Milwaukee "US" concert with "Magical Mystery Tour," the title song to a long-ago Beatles album.

It was an apt choice since McCartney has been on his own 'magical tour' since 1962. That's the year the Beatles rocketed (or rocked) to stardom. McCartney was just 19.

To quote a Fidelity Investments advertisement, McCartney has been a "Quarryman, Beatle, Wing, poet, painter, father, frontman, producer, business mogul and knight."

Now 63, Sir Paul mustered those decades of experience into a crowd-pleasing extravaganza, including a synchronized light show, at the Bradley Center.

Building anticipation for McCartney's appearance didn't seem necessary but the event included a pre-show with DJ Freelance Hellraiser (who played the Twin Freaks re-mixes of Paul's songs) and a brief film chronicling the pop star's life from childhood to his appearance at this year's Super Bowl half-time and Live 8 shows.

Then fans got what they were waiting for, a lengthy show featuring dozens of classic songs-- some never before played in concert-- performed by a master musician with a crack back-up band. (Those players include drummer Abe Laboriel Jr.; Rusty Anderson, guitar; Paul Wickens, keyboards; and Brian Ray, guitar and bass.)

Hofner bass in hand, McCartney followed his opener with "Flaming Pie," "Jet," "I'll Get You," "Drive My Car," and "Till There Was You." He switched to his Les Paul guitar for "Let Me Roll It," a heavier Wings' number; then played bass on "Got to Get You Into My Life."

Switching to a grand piano which rose from below the stage, McCartney performed his current single, "Fine Line," "Maybe I'm Amazed" and "Long and Winding Road." Next, he pulled out a composition from the Quarrymen period and played "In Spite of All The Danger," a obscure song be wrote with George Harrison in the 1950's. Acoustic versions of "I Will" and "Jenny Wren" followed.

He returned to grand piano to play "For No One," "Fixing a Hole" and "English Tea" from his new album. More acoustic material followed including "I'll Follow the Sun," "Blackbird" and "Eleanor Rigby."

McCartney returned to his Hofner for "Too Many People" from 1971's "Ram" LP and added "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window," "Good Day Sunshine," "Band on the Run," and "Penny Lane."

He rounded out the program with "I've Got A Feeling," Back in the USSR," "Hey Jude," and "Live and Let Die," complete with mind-boggling pyrotechnics.

The crowd was treated to two encores. The first featured "Yesterday," "Get Back," and for those who think McCartney can't rock hard, a incredible version of "Helter Skelter." The second included "Please Please Me," the Beatles' first No. 1 hit; and "Let It Be," performed on psychedelic upright piano. The show finished with the perfect closer, "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (reprise)/ The End."

On a 'magical mystery tour' of our own, this week's concert was the third time my wife Sue and I along with friends Bob and Carol Nygaard, have seen McCartney perform live. We traveled to Chicago's Rosemont Horizon on Dec. 4, 1989 for McCartney's World Tour in support of his "Flowers in the Dirt" album. During the Illinois performance, engineers recorded a little-known track called "Together" which appeared on the "Tripping the Live Fantastic" double compact disc.

Then, on June 2, 1993 we caught McCartney in Milwaukee during his New World Tour after the release of the "Off the Ground" CD. The show at County Stadium was nearly cancelled at the last minute due to rain shorting out the sound system. McCartney remarked that he had never seen "such a nice collection of raincoats."

During his recent Milwaukee show McCartney proved he has nothing to prove. He played decades of hit songs, entertaining 12,000 fans for hours.

Next year, McCartney will turn the age he mentioned in his Beatles composition "When I'm 64."

Still, there's no sign he's about to retire, for McCartney clearly loves what he's doing.

So, the 'magical mystery tour' continues. All aboard!

Chasing 45's down Ludington St.

In an era before chain stores dominated the marketplace, independent merchants were no less savvy in bringing pop culture to the masses. In the late Sixties period that meant the latest hit song by the hottest group could probably be found at numerous outlets in bustling downtown Escanaba.

After hearing a new song on radio, you could search for a copy at various stores within a few blocks of one another along Ludington St.

Those stores hoping to snag the teenage rock 'n' roll fanatic stocked a hit list of double sided seven inch plastic discs known as "45s" or "singles." Customers got an additional song on the "B" or flip side of the platter which usually came in a picture sleeve. (By the way, those picture sleeves today are often worth more than the record. That's because spindle-type record storage cases meant a hole had to cut into the sleeve, ruining it.)

In your quest for the hippest tune, let's say "Judy in Disguise" by John Fred and His Playboy Band, you might have stopped at Advanced Electric, located at 1211 Ludington St. The store touted its inventory with a small red sign outside reading "Record Rack." Owned by Arthur Flath, the store sold television sets, radios, Frigidaire appliances and phonographs.

It featured a "complete record department," including both 45s and long players. Customers could purchase discs from in store stock or by special order. The store carried "Phonolog" an impressive catalog printed on yellow paper, updated weekly, which listed all available product. Mrs. Flath, son Brian or their friendly staff would help you navigate the huge Phonolog book to find the right song.

Advanced placed their orders with Radio Doctors, the venerable downtown Milwaukee retailer which also serviced hundreds of mid-west wholesale accounts. Radio Doctors maintained a world-class stock of 45s, enabling customers to purchase both current and older 45s.

Another retailer making noises in the 45 marketplace was Felton Radio & TV Supply. Owned by Oliver Felton, the store was located at 601 Ludington St. until it was destroyed by fire. It reopened at 1105 Ludington St. Felton drew customers into his store with an attractive display of the Top 100 singles in numerical order as determined by Billboard magazine. He spent time every week rearranging his display as songs rose or fell on the chart. The average hit record had a life-span of about three months.

Just a block away at 1011 Ludington was competitor J&R Radio & TV. Like its name stated, the store sold televisions, radios and stereos as well as records. Proprietor Dick Stichman promoted his store with the slogan "where service minded people shop."

The search for the 45 of your desires may have also taken you to Major Utilities at 1300 Ludington St. Major Utilities placed jukeboxes in hundreds of bars and restaurants in the Delta County area. Chances are that if you didn't hear a hit song on the radio, you would hear it on one of their jukeboxes.

Those colorful and bass-booming appliances kept track of how often songs were played so the operator could pull records which didn't get enough spins. When that happened owner Herbert Flath would sell those 45s in the upstairs quarters of his business. Teenagers could climb the 13th St. stairs on Saturdays and buy a slightly-used recent hit for a quarter.

Although Marrier Music at 701 Ludington St. may have quit selling 45s by this period, the store made a significant impact with its "Record Club" during 1963-65. Hundreds of area residents joined Chet Marrier's club to receive a free 45 after the purchase 10 at the regular price.

Of course, Escanaba's trio of dime stores also catered to pop music fans. Those retailing giants included Kresge's at 1104, Woolworth's at 1112 and Neisner's at 1116 Ludington St. Woolworth's had a respectable record department and carried the fan magazines of the day. The store made a big splash earlier by stocking tons of Beatles-related merchandise.

So, those are some of the stops you may have made in your 45 record quest. It was the final step before you could go home and play your tune to your heart's content, knowing that you were an integral part of pop culture.

My journey with John Fogerty

A song can take you on a journey, literally and figuratively.

Take "Green River" for example. This swampy classic from Creedence Clearwater Revival evokes visions of the Louisiana bayou even though it was recorded in California.

Couplets like "walkin' along the river road at night; barefoot girls dancing in the moonlight" in vocalist John Fogerty's southern drawl were easy to understand. References to "catfish bite... shoefly, dragon fly..." were a little more opaque.

In fact, I listened to "Green River" hundreds of times before I figured out Fogerty's eloquently slurred vocals.

"Green River" came out of the radio in the summer of 1969 like no other song; a energetic burst of rock 'n' roll lasting less than three minutes. The tune stands out even today and demands your attention.
It's been my favorite song virtually since the first time I heard it.

As the Sixties ended, Fogerty was incredibly prolific. As singer-songwriter, lead guitarist, producer and arranger, Fogerty's CCR released three albums in 1969, outselling even the Beatles. Radio pumped out "Proud Mary," "Bad Moon Rising," "Fortunate Son" and dozens of other Fogerty classics.

CCR toured as their acclaim grew. Many called them America's greatest rock 'n' roll group. Every bar band knew their songs.

I followed Fogerty's career like he was my Pied Piper. New singles came out every three months. Nineteen hits in all appeared in rapid succession.

After the early success, however, Fogerty's bandmates became resentful of his control and brother Tom Fogerty quit in 1971. "Mardi Gras" was more democratic with the other two members writing and singing, but it sold poorly. Creedence broke up in 1972.

Fogerty was feeling pressured by his label, Fantasy Records, for more product. He recorded "Blue Ridge Rangers" in 1973, playing all the instruments himself. A self-titled album followed in 1975, but Fogerty was becoming increasingly dissatisfied. He bought out his Fantasy contract by signing over the copyrights to his songs. Numerous lawsuits ensued.

Fogerty withdrew from the music business. Fans waited decades between albums. "Centerfield" came out in 1985 containing the hit "Old Man Down the Road." The Grammy winning "Blue Moon Swamp" appeared in 1997 and "Deja Vu (All Over Again)" last year.

He toured less, too. For his 1985 gigs he stayed away from CCR chestnuts, but he had a change of heart by the late Nineties when he embraced his classic catalog and played enthusiastic versions during his shows.

Although a life-long fan, the first time I saw Fogerty perform live was at the opening of the Rock 'N' Roll Hall on Fame in Cleveland on Sept. 2, 1995. He played "Born on the Bayou" and "Fortunate Son", but not "Green River." Then, to back his "Blue Moon Swamp" album, Fogerty appeared at the House of Blues in Chicago on May 27, 1997. Finally-- after 28 years-- I heard Fogerty blaze through "Green River" on stage just a few feet away.

My Fogerty journey continued this year when my wife Sue and I saw him on tour with John Mellencamp at the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant on July 4. He put on an energy-filled show, running from one side of the stage to the other while playing his signature guitar licks. Not bad for a 60-year-old. And yes, he did play "Green River" as a duet with Mellencamp.

Now, Fogerty's own journey takes another turn. He has returned to Fantasy Records where he gained his initial fame. Earlier this year, the label was sold to the Concord Group, owned by TV producer Norman Lear.

The result will be the Nov. l release of the first product to contain both CCR and Fogerty material. "Long Road Home: The Ultimate John Fogerty/ Creedence Collection" will contain 25 tracks. Besides Creedence hits, four of the songs will come from this summer's tour, while six others are solo hits.

Of course, "Green River" will be included. It's Fogerty's favorite song, too.

Lennon's legacy remains relevant

Apple Records is taking the occasion of John Lennon's 65th birthday Oct. 9 to promote new product from the late iconic musician and political activist.

The Beatles' label this week released a CD package entitled "Working Class Hero: Definitive Lennon," while an expanded DVD package called "Imagine" will follow in two months. December 8 marks the 25th anniversary of Lennon's assassination in front of his New York City apartment.

The dual anniversaries will keep Lennon's name and music in the public eye. The hits-filled double CD includes 36 classic Lennon tracks. That package will be followed next week with remastered editions of his 1970's albums "Sometime in New York City" and "Walls and Bridges." The deluxe DVD version of the 1988 film "Imagine: John Lennon," meanwhile, will include previously unseen footage and a 36-song soundtrack. Mobile Fidelity is also set to release the "Live Peace in Toronto 1969" CD in November.

Lennon's 1980 murder was life- defining for many people. Just like President Kennedy's assassination, they remember the moment they heard about Lennon's death. Howard Cosell made the tragic announcement on Monday Night Football, but most people found out the following day. It seemed to many that an era had passed.

Yoko Ono, Lennon's widow, has updated the ex-Beatle's catalog and numerous posthumous albums have been released. Lennon's "Free As A Bird" and "Real Love" recordings formed the basis for a Beatles revival in the 1990's which saw the group post a record three No. 1 double albums. The streak continued in 2001 when their "1" album proved the year's best-selling CD.

Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance" was the title track to a special package released in the Far East market in August. In fact three versions of the anthem were included in the 18-track album. The first version features well-known Asian singers, the second is a 2004 Yoko Ono recording, while the third is the original 1969 song. The imported disc, called "Peace, Love and Truth," sums up Lennon's philosophy in the title.

That ideology was reflected in the lyrics to "Imagine" his 1971 smash single and album. Lennon's only Michigan appearance as a solo artist came on Dec. 19 of that year when he and Yoko Ono performed before 15,000 people at the "Free John Sinclair" rally in Ann Arbor.

Lennon wasn't everyone's favorite, however. The Nixon administration put the FBI on Lennon's case to force him from the United States for his peace efforts. Still, Lennon won a "green card" and was allowed to stay.

Former bandmate George Harrison will also feature this fall with a reissue of the "Concert for Bangladesh." The landmark 1971 charity recording-- showcasing a Madison Square Garden performance by Harrison and friends-- will be available Oct. 25 on CD and DVD.

Harrison had quite and "A" list of friends at the time, including Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and Ringo Starr. The DVD will include the original 99-minute movie and over one-hour of extras. Dylan's performance of "Love Minus Zero/ No Limit" will be an additional track on the remixed CD. All artist royalties will continue to go to UNICEF.

Following the Beatles' tradition of issuing new product timed for Christmas sales each year, Paul McCartney released "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard" in September and is supporting it with a widely acclaimed tour. Ringo Starr's "Choose Love" came out in June. Both albums have been well-received by fans and critics.

Additionally, the DVD version of the "Let It Be" movie, documenting the Beatles' disintegration as a group, may be released early next year, according to Apple Records.

This fall marks the significant anniversaries of John Lennon's birth and death. Judging from marketplace demand and worldwide attention, the Lennon legacy remains relevant today. His cohorts from Liverpool didn't do badly, either.

When AM radio ruled airwaves

Like Wolfman Jack in the movie "American Graffiti," the deejay and AM radio loomed tall on the horizon in the Sixties.

Top 40 ruled the airwaves, especially at night when the country's powerful 50,000 clear channel stations could be heard for great distances.

In Escanaba, the evening's radio choices for Top 40 fans included two Chicago giants: WLS at 890 and WCFL at 1000 and WDBC, broadcast locally at 680 on the dial.

In this earlier era, precious rock 'n' roll transmissions were received on the newly introduced portable transistor radio or on a cheap car radio featuring tinny sounding three-inch speakers.

WDBC's night-time deejay, Billy John (aka William J. Schinzel), played requests live from the station's studio at 606 Ludington St., beginning in 1966. His program featured national hits, regional "breakouts" and even local artists. Unlike today, the deejay decided the playlist. John would spin such varied fare as "Incense and Peppermints" by Strawberry Alarm Clock, "Gimme Gimme Good Lovin'," by Crazy Elephant and "Playgirl," by Milwaukee quartet Thee Prophets. The songlist would be interspersed with plenty of dedications.

Because he had to broadcast CBS news live, John also spun instrumental cuts such as "Hot Smoke and Sasafrass" by Bubble Puppy and "Classical Gas" by Mason Williams as the top of the hour approached.

Local kids cut their rock 'n' roll teeth to John's program as they "bombed the drag" along Ludington St. and maybe even "watched the submarine races" at the park.

WDBC (Delta Broadcasting Co.) pumped out 10,000 watts, dropping to 1,000 at night, while the only other local station-- WLST-- was powered by a mere 1,000 during the day. WLST, which billed itself as the Voice of the Escanaba Daily Press, signed off at dusk and didn't enter the rock 'n' roll arena until later as WBDN.

While John probably had a modest local audience, the towering presence of Chicago radio was felt by everyone around Lake Michigan. You probably had your favorite between WCFL and WLS, as they battled it out.

WLS (World's Largest Store) was founded by Sears and featured DJ's Ron Riley and Art Roberts. The pair gained radio eminence by interviewing the Beatles which pushed their station to No. 1 in the market in 1968.

WCFL (Chicago Federation of Labor) featured jocks Larry Lujack and Dick Biondi. Alert teenagers would switch between the stations if there was any let-up in the rock 'n' roll beat. The news certainly meant you had to punch the channel change button.

For adventurous listeners, the AM radio dial was filled with sounds from far away cities. Because local channels had to sign-off and there was less interference, the best time to listen was overnight.

Any kid with a good transistor radio and earplug could listen to radio long into the night. When WDBC signed-off, the radio frequency would reveal WMAQ, 670 megahertz.

WMAQ was broadcast from penthouse studios atop the Merchandise Mart in Chicago and featured the sophisticated Jack Eigen. Chicago's oldest radio station, the call letters originally had no meaning, but later were assigned the slogan We Must Ask Questions. Eigen, a pioneer of the late night talk show, mainly interviewed show biz types into the wee hours.

Radio has changed through the years. Now, music is mainly found on FM stations. Those outlets have proliferated, but they can broadcast only a short distance compared to the AM powerhouses. And, satellite radio stands to make further changes in the industry.

Despite all that, nocturnal radio is still a delight. Try 1030, WBZ in Boston if you want to check out what's happening in Beantown. Cleveland, Louisville and Detroit have great stations, too.

So, why don't you give that AM dial a twirl some night and see what you've been missing?

Katrina mires New Orleans' music

Katrina left New Orleans a battered music capital. The massive hurricane took some music treasures and spared others. It also decimated the city's party atmosphere.

The Crescent City-- as important as Memphis or Nashville in the development of modern sounds-- thrived on its music scene. Think of how dull music would be without New Orleans. It's the birthplace of zydeco and Cajun. Blues and gospel have strong roots in the city. Louis Armstrong and jazz itself were born there. It's a hotbed for R&B.

Creedence Clearwater Revival founder John Fogerty brought "swamp rock" to the top of the charts without ever having set foot in "Bayou Country."

The musically brilliant Neville and Marsalis families call New Orleans home.

Fats Domino, famous for "Blueberry Hill," "Walking to New Orleans" and dozens of other hits is probably the Big Easy's most recognized resident. The twin piano and saxophone sound of New Orleans rock and roll-- epitomized by Domino-- slipped off the charts but has never fell from favor in its hot city.

Following the hurricane, Domino had been reported missing by his long-time manager. However, his daughter later told authorities he was rescued from the second story balcony of his home.

The piano-playing Domino was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in the original class which showed rock to be largely an invention of southerners. Elvis and Sam Cooke were born in Mississippi, Ray Charles and Little Richard in Georgia, Fats and Jerry Lee Lewis in Louisiana, James Brown in South Carolina, the Everly Brothers in Kentucky and Buddy Holly in Texas. Only Chuck Berry had slightly different roots, being born in St. Louis and later recording for Chicago's Chess Records.

Like Domino, recording artist and cult icon Alex Chilton was rescued from his New Orleans home after being listed as missing for several days. The lead singer for the 60s group The Boxtops, Chilton has a new recording released this month from his current band Big Star.

Also safe were Allen Toussaint, Dr. John and Ani DiFranco. The prolific DiFranco escaped with the master tapes to her latest album. Irma Thomas survived, but lost her home. The Rolling Stones took her song "Time Is On My Side" and turned it into a hit.

There was bad news, too. Little Freddie King, who released a masterful blues album titled "You Don't Know What I Know" earlier this year, was reported missing as was Frankie Ford. Ford scored a hit in 1959 with "Sea Cruise."

Many of New Orleans' small clubs were destroyed, leaving hundreds of local musicians jobless. Artists lost their homes, priceless instruments, master recordings and memorabilia which can never be replaced.

The French Quarter and Bourbon Street were left virtually untouched, which could provide the basis for a comeback. Although some residents were talking of a limited Mardi Gras next year, others said that would be inappropriate.

The future of some festivals remained in question. The Satchmo Summerfest and Ponderosa Stomp had been big tourist draws and provided work for the area's musicians. The Jazz and Heritage Festival had included appearances by John Lee Hooker, Robert Cray and the Radiators.

While New Orleans will be rebuilt, it clearly won't be the same. The old neighborhoods which spawned such a rich musical tradition will be gone. Many musicians won't return. Recovery may take years. Eventually, New Orleans should return to musical prominence, however.

Until then, a Mardi Gras party may be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Da Yoopers reign in U.P.

Who reigns atop the music world in the U. P.? Puff out your chests, that would be Da Yoopers, of course.

They have had a prolific recording career over the past twenty years, although most people still recognize them for their comedy hit, "Second Week of Deer Camp."

The November classic swept local airwaves just prior to the 1986 hunting season. The song, played extensively by WGLQ and other area broadcasters has since earned airings around the region for every deer hunt. (In fact, "Second Week" dominated radio so much that imitators appeared. A Wisconsin group released "Da Turdy Point Buck," which many people still think was Da Yoopers.)

But Da Yoopers didn't start with "Second Week." Their first album release was titled "Yoopanese" and was credited to the Joe Arkansas Band. Sales picked up with the name change beloved by everyone north of the Big Mac bridge. Following years of 51st state talk, the word "Yooper" had some cache. The prefix "Da" added the perfect Finnish tone.

By the time the "Culture Shock," album was recorded and released with their hunting anthem, Da Yoopers' phenomenon was growing. In fact, they also had a Christmas hit in "Rusty Chevrolet."

Demand to see Da Yoopers live meant they became a large concert draw around the Midwest. They routinely sold out shows at county and state fairs in Michigan and Wisconsin, and even toured "snowbird" states such as Texas. Founding member Jim DeCaire fondly remembers seeing Da Yoopers promoted on a billboard in the Lone Star State right under headliner George Jones.

Their fame grew further when Dr. Demento broadcast "Second Week," on his national radio program and included it on his 25th anniversary compact disc collection with the like of Weird Al Yankovic and Spike Jones.

Da Yoopers' success is at once defined and limited by content appealing to residents and visitors to Michigan's superior peninsula. Still, each year residents snap up their product to send to friends and relatives around the world. More than a few copies have been sent to service personnel in Iraq as a brief respite from the duties of war.

Their songs, skits and comedy bits appeal to young and old alike. Although their latest album relied heavily on scatological references, not unlike the Jeff Daniels' movie "Escanaba in Da Moonlight," few people took offense. It appears we are able to laugh at ourselves. Besides, Da Yoopers-- and Jeff Daniels for that matter-- are not trying to document life in the U. P., they are drawing humor from it. And, humor is all about silly exaggerations.

Headquartered in Ishpeming, Da Yoopers include leader Jim DeCaire on drums, keyboardist Lynn Coffey, bassist Jerry Coffey, Jim Bellmore and Dave Collins. Original band member Jim Potila retired.

To date, Da Yoopers have released ten studio albums, plus two hits packages, "For Diehards Only" I & II.

Although Da Yoopers burst onto the scene about the same time as the compact disc, their first few albums were available only on cassette. Now Da Yoopers' product is only available on CD. The best of the early albums have been compiled on the hits packages.

Song subjects have included fishing, bingo, beer guts, diarrhea and other fare not usually covered in song lyrics. In fact, Da Yoopers put considerable effort into crafting witty lyrics and consequently the songs continue to have appeal even after repeated listenings.

According to Lynn Coffey, who works at Da Yoopers Tourist Trap in Ishpeming, the group is putting together a new project which should be out next year. It won't be of great cultural significance, but folks will buy it and enjoy it just like their previous releases, as Da Yoopers' reign continues.

Why people love their old records

More music is available in more formats than ever before thanks to modern technology. You've got i-pods, MP3 files, satellite radio, music DVDs, even ring-tones for your cellphone.

But it wasn't always so. The long-playing record (LP) dominated the available technology for nearly half a century following its introduction in 1949. Actually, people fell in love with 'em.

If you don't know, LPs are the records enclosed in 12 by 12 inch cardboard jackets which usually displayed a color photograph of the performer along with liner notes. LPs are also referred to as "33's," a reference to the speed the disc rotates on the turntable.

Music fans embraced the format and its' little brother, the seven inch "45". Also known as a "single," the 45 featured "a" and "b" sides, showcasing a hit song on the top side and a "throwaway" track on the reverse.

As the post World War II economy heated up, families purchased "hi-fi's," to play their new recordings. At first people bought Broadway musicals and such and then rock 'n' roll burst on the scene in the mid-Fifties with the appearance of Elvis, Johnny Mathis, Pat Boone, Chuck Berry and other stars.

The music went through several stages including do-wop and folk until the Beatles stormed ashore in the tumultuous months following President Kennedy's assassination. Besides the British music invasion, American rock acts also flourished.

A good stereo was required by every young person. People with the cash would assemble a component system while others would utilize cheaper portable plastic players with detachable speakers. Tens of millions of record players were sold. They were nearly as prevalent as television sets or indoor plumbing.

For the sake of convenience, furniture stores which sold "hi-fi's" also added small record departments. You could also buy discs at the "dime" store (such as Woolworth's) and drug stores. In 1969, when minimum wage was $1.65, an LP would cost $4.98 and a 45 about 79 cents.

In fact, buying a record was a momentous occasion. Older people almost certainly remember their first purchase, whether it was The Doors, Tommy James and the Shondells, Led Zeppelin or some other piece of treasured vinyl. Removing the shrink wrap and dropping the needle on your new record for the first time was a memorable experience, too. You could look at the cover and read the liner notes while listening, perhaps on attached headphones. In fact, many people viewed the LP cover itself as art.

About this time, tapes were introduced. There were two types- cassettes and eight-tracks. Cassettes had the two stereo tracks on each side and had to be flipped over to play the entire program. The eight-tracks, however, ran continuously. But, they had the annoying limitation of often changing tracks in the middle of a song because all four of the stereo programs had to be the same length.

Tapes proved popular with motorists for the simple fact records couldn't be played in your car. In fact, you could fill-up at your corner gas station and buy tapes at the counter when you checked out. As the Seventies advanced, the eight-track slipped into history thanks to the cassette's small size and superior sound.

Despite advances in the marketplace by cassettes, the LP still sold well. People continued to add to their collections, as the music became the soundtrack to their lives.

The LP was strong throughout the Eighties and into the Nineties when the cassette held sway for a brief time before the compact disc appeared. The CD, in fact, rejuvenated the pre-recorded music business as most customers felt compelled to replace their favorite record albums with the digital versions.

While customers bought the new discs, they never had the emotional draw or "warm sound" of the LP. In the late Nineties, Napster and other file-sharing web-sites allowed fans to get their music for free and CD sales declined.

Now, the CD is labeled a "tired format" while the LP may be making a comeback. Once relegated to garage sales, flea markets and used record stores, young and old alike are dusting off their LPs for an encore performance.

So, take those decorative LPs off your dorm walls and give 'em a spin. Discover for yourself why so many people love their old records.

Let the music battles begin

The battle of the behemoths starts now.

September marks the beginning of the important fourth quarter for the music biz and they're drawing on their big guns. It's a battle that might seem a little familiar.

The combatants include American stalwart Bob Dylan, British idols Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton, Canadian icon Neil Young and a resurrected Jimi Hendrix.

Yes, it's the Sixties all over again when it comes to new releases for the Christmas season. Your music mega-corporations gear-up now so that they can get their acts on the covers of pop magazines, on TV and radio and before concert audiences.

Those old favorites will be fighting over shelf space and fan dollars.

Getting some high profile recognition are ex-Beatle McCartney and the Rolling Stones, both launching new albums and tours. Since there has been professional and fan rivalry between the Beatles and Stones for 40 years, those two acts will draw the most publicity and the media and business savvy McCartney and Mick Jagger are not unaware of that fact.

The Stones have already opened their world tour which includes 35 dates in the United States and Canada.

The accompanying album titled "A Bigger Bang," will be released Sept. 6.

The new studio album--their first in eight years--has 16 cuts, including two featuring Jagger's song-writing partner and bandmate Keith Richards on lead vocals. One track, "Sweet Neo Con," has been generating controversy due to its apparent criticism of the Bush administration.

McCartney's long-player, meanwhile, will see the light of day on Sept. 13. Already, three songs, topped by single "Fine Line," can be heard on the veteran rocker's website. Titled "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard," McCartney's disc is his twentieth studio album since the Beatles.

The album, produced by Nigel Godrich of Radiohead fame, took two years to record. Fans will be able to hear live versions of tracks from the LP when McCartney launches his tour the following week. A TV special featuring many of the songs will also be aired.

Joining the fray is fellow Britisher Eric Clapton, whose "Back Home" album just hit store shelves. The disc features seven originals penned by the guitar god and a handful of cover tunes, including George Harrison's "Love Comes to Everyone." Clapton's previous two albums of Robert Johnson material were well-received by fans and critics alike.

Folk rocker Bob's Dylan's entry into the Christmas sweepstakes will center on a CD-- already out-- and DVD to be released on Sept. 20. "No Direction Home" comprises rare and unreleased recordings from 1961-66. The film, produced by Martin Scorsese, will make its worldwide premiere on PBS on Sept. 26 & 27.

Vintage performances will also be key in the Hendrix two-DVD set, "Live at Woodstock (Deluxe Edition)". Streeting Sept. 13, the performance features the late Hendrix remastered, remixed and re-edited. The visuals have been significantly improved with the recent discovery of film from an additional camera. Hendrix, of course, was headliner at Woodstock, but his segment started after many in the audience had left.

Warhorse Neil Young will cap off the month with the Sept. 27 release of "Prairie Wind." The new album is said to be a powerful summing up of the singer-songwriter's entire career. And, yes, like everybody else, it's a 40-year career.

Meanwhile, the winner of this new release mega-battle will be revealed following the Christmas season when those giant music corporations tally up their fourth quarter profits. Stay tuned.

'Smiley' lived like his blues hero

For Jim "Smiley" Lewis the blues were epitomized by Howlin' Wolf.

The Wolf was Smiley's hero. You could hear it in Smiley's growly voice and articulate guitar when he played in numerous blues, country and rock bands, beginning in the Sixties.

Sadly, Smiley's musical genius was silenced when he died at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba Aug. 13 at age 57 after several years of ill health.

"My main influences are blues and rock-a-billy," Smiley said in the liner notes to his 1991 album, "No Explanation Necessary." That album contained eight originals and some covers including a version of friend Dave Lark's "Mother-in-Law Blues."

Smiley started his career as a teenage drummer, buying his sticks at Marrier Music. It was at this time that he was diagnosed with diabetes, which plagued him in his later years. He remembered being beaten-up by locals who thought his hair was too long.

Smiley soon switched to guitar and honed his musical chops "in countless cities and bars" and traveled to where musicians could make money, including Milwaukee and Las Vegas.

But as the years passed, he returned to Escanaba, where music opportunities were limited. He gigged with the Blues Bombers. About 15 years ago, he was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident when his Harley and a "big old Buick" collided. This mirrored the experience of Howlin' Wolf who suffered kidney damage in a serious traffic mishap.

Things took a turn for the better in 2000 when Smiley's friends "Big" Al and Mary (Corbett) Ek moved to Escanaba to back Smiley in a band. The Shuffle-aires, however, actually featured all three players. They played their first gig at the Thunder Bar in Gladstone in March in what proved to be a reunion of old friends and fans who had followed Smiley's career for years.

Over the next 13 months, the Shuffle-aires entertained at weekly gigs around the central Upper Peninsula.

The shows were amazing. Smiley played stunning renditions of the Fleetwood Mac classic "Albatross" and Chuck Berry's 1964 hit "Nadine." He would put a few licks from Davie Allan into the Chantay's super-cool "Pipeline." He put all his vocal emotion into Bob Dylan's "Walls of Red Wing" and his own "Blacktop" with its "thunder rollin'" and "sparks across the sky" references.

The crowd loved it. But, in the end, the band couldn't support itself on area gigs alone, so when a music store in Las Vagas offered Ek a job, he and Mary departed for Nevada. The Shuffle-aires last local performance was staged at the Days Inn in March 2001.

In the following years, Smiley suffered some health set-backs. Once, as he was riding his motorcycle, his vision deteriorated as if he was "watching a curtain go down." This was especially difficult for Smiley because he played the guitar while watching his left hand do the fretwork.

Later, he faced surgery at Marquette General Hospital. His doctors at that time didn't know if he would survive the operation.

Still, Smiley recovered enough to offer friends and fans a "thank you show" show at 8th Street Coffeehouse about a year ago. He wowed the crowd while performing as a duo with stand-up bassist Jay Brodersen. It was Smiley's last time on stage.

As his health worsened, Smiley retreated to his home. A small group of close friends, including Wendy Pepin, watched over Smiley during this time. She accompanied him earlier this summer to a show at the Terrace featuring jazz clarinetist Chuck Hedges and his friend Jay Brodersen. Smiley looked well and he chatted with his many friends during the evening show held to benefit the Delta County Animal Shelter expansion.

Finally, Smiley succumbed. He had had several heart attacks and died just like his hero Howlin' Wolf.

Smiley didn't just play the blues, he lived them. His friends and fellow musicians remembered him with a two and one-half hour jam session at 8th Street Coffeehouse on Aug. 17. The music said it all.

Smiley's talents and accomplishments are undoubtedly under appreciated. But, if there's any justice, he's playin' "Spoonful" and "Red Rooster" with the Wolf right now.

For a blues mecca, try Marquette

Marquette will serve as a mecca for the blues over the Labor Day weekend.

That's when the 2nd annual Marquette Area Blues Fest will feature acoustic guitar master Rory Block, Chicago party band Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials and several other top acts.

The event, held at Marquette Mountain last year, is moving to the scenic Ellwood Mattson Lower Harbor Park near downtown, providing a Lake Superior backdrop for the artists and audience.

Explosive young guitarist Sean Costello, Detroit blues shouter Thornetta Davis and Lucky Peterson--a one-time child-prodigy-- round out the national acts. Regional and local acts will also play.

Performer Block is known for her slide guitar work and has been immersed in the blues since she ran away from her New York home at age 15. She "paid her dues" in the Sixties and beyond and learned her craft from greats Skip James and Mississippi John Hurt.

Block often played up to 250 dates a year and in the process earned several W. C. Handy awards for her recordings. Her most recent work, released earlier this year, is entitled "From the Dust." She'll perform at 6 p. m. Sunday, Sept. 4.

Also known for his slide guitar prowess, Lil' Ed--at five foot one-- throws a big party onstage. Ed leaps and slides around the stage as his house rockin' band keeps the groove. Ed, too, learned from veteran bluesmen, including his uncle J. B. Hutto. "I learned everything I know from J. B.," Ed claims. Lil' Ed will perform at 8 p. m. Saturday, Sept. 3.

Multi-instrumentalist Lucky Peterson, meanwhile, is the son of blues singer James Peterson. By age five he had a hit single and in later years appeared on numerous national television programs. Peterson has now demonstrated his abilities on guitar, keyboards, bass, drums and trumpet to audiences all over the world for more than 30 years. Peterson will take the stage at 8 p. m. Sunday, Sept. 4.

Costello--just in his mid-twenties-- has already released four albums, including a self-titled effort from earlier this year. The Philadelphia native will play at 4 p. m. Sunday, Sept. 4.

Daily tickets are $15 at the gate only, while weekend passes are $20 in advance, available at the Record Rack.
MORE MARQUETTE BLUES

Marquette's Flat Broke Blues Band will be among the local performers at Blues Fest. Music fans may remember their performance earlier this year at the annual YMCA fundraiser at Danforth Place. The band, featuring new vocalist Lorrie Hayes, also includes guitarist front-man Walt Lindala. Lindala is involved in the Marquette Area Blues Society and works as an area radio personality. The band has two CD's to their credit, including "Worth the Wait," from earlier this year. The disc features a couple of tasty covers and originals with a northwoods twist.
GREEN BAY BLUES

A crowd-pleasing pairing of old-and-new blues performers will be featured this month at the Oneida Casino in Green Bay. The sold-out Aug. 25 show will match Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy with twenty-something guitar slinger Jonny Lang. Guy-- a star since the Fifties-- occasionally leaves his Illinois digs to tour. Lang, meanwhile, rocketed to fame in 1997 as a 16-year-old with his album "Lie to Me."
CHI-TOWN BLUES

Chicago Blues Reunion is the name taken by a great group of Chicago blues players for their new album called "Buried Alive in the Blues." The assembled musicians include Barry Goldberg, Nick Gravenites, Harvey Mandel, Tracy Nelson, Sam Lay and Corky Siegel. These music treasures shine on the title song which Gravenites wrote for Janis Joplin. Unfortunately, Joplin died the night before she was to record the song. The two-disc set has a live CD and DVD with exclusive interviews with B. B. King, Buddy Guy and others.
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The blues in the U. P., Wisconsin and Illinois...that's your geography lesson for this week. Don't forget: The blues will cure what ails ya.

Sounds get heavy at Fair show

Hey, kids get ready to rock.

A triumvirate of hot up-and-coming bands-- sure to please teens and 20s-- will perform at the Upper Peninsula State Fair Friday, Aug. 19.

Seether, touring with a hit tune called "Remedy" in their songbook, will headline. Crossfade and Dark New Day, a bit of a supergroup, will open the show.

Some younger people have grumbled in the past that newer groups don't get booked at the Fair, but Seether and Crossfade have only been around for a few years and Dark New Day was formed in January.

Seether-- with a post-grunge alternative metal sound-- is playing numerous state fair shows on an American tour which runs until mid-September.

Fronted by singer-guitarist-songwriter Shaun Morgan, Seether hails from South Africa, not exactly a hotbed for new music. They landed a spot on the Ozzfest tour and released their debut disc, "Disclaimer" in 2002. That album boasted the single "Fine Again." Meantime, Morgan struck-up a friendship with Amy Lee of Evanesence fame and they dueted on the hit "Broken." Later, Morgan reviewed the content and sound mixes on their first LP and re-issued a revised version, "Disclaimer II."

"Karma and Effect," Seether's second full-length album, was released this summer.
Sharing the Fair bill, Crossfade also flies the metal-grunge flag. Based in South Carolina, the trio includes vocalist- guitarist Ed Sloan, drummer Brian Geiger and bassist Mitch James. Their self-titled first album was released by Columbia last year.

Dark New Day, meanwhile, is a recent addition to the metal circuit but its members have been in several well-known bands including Sevendust, Skrape and the touring version of Creed. Their debut release is called "Twelve Year Silence."

If you're ready to bang your head, tickets to the 7:30 p. m. show-- at $20--are available at the Fair box office and at the gate.
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HERE'S JOHNNY

When country music icon Johnny Cash died, he left a priceless legacy of hundreds of recordings. Sony tapped into that treasure this month when it released a four-CD box set covering the period 1955-2002. Celebrating the golden anniversary of Cash's recording career, the set begins with his Sun label tracks from the mid-1950s. "Cash: The Legend" includes 104 songs, seven previously unreleased. A deluxe-- if pricey-- edition of the box, containing a 128-page hard cover coffee table book, bonus CD and DVD, as well as a 12 by 16 inch lithograph, will be issued Aug. 16. How pricey? Try a suggested list price of $329.98.
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GENERATION GAP?

Brace yourself. Heavy metal giants Metallica will open for the Rolling Stones when the veteran British band plays San Francisco on Nov. 13 and 15. The Stones this month begin the U. S. segment of travels in support of their new studio album "A Bigger Bang." Metallica, which calls San Francisco home, enjoyed its biggest success in the mid-1990s with "Until It Sleeps," while Mick and the boys had their first commercial peak with 1965's "I Can't Get No Satisfaction."
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FESTIVAL DRAWS CROWD

A estimated 5,000 to 6,000 persons witnessed the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's performance at the Woodtick Music Festival in Hermansville on Aug. 5. By comparison, Gladstone's 2000 census total was 5,032.

Nugent's song says it all

His opus about hunting-- "Fred Bear"-- says all you need to know about Ted Nugent.

The nearly eight-minute tune encapsulates Nugent's enthusiasm for the outdoors and hunting, with a great rock 'n' roll beat and even manages to throw in an anti-drug message.

Those traits combine to make "Uncle" Ted a top concert draw whenever he tours. He'll prove it again Wednesday, Aug. 17 when he performs at the Upper Peninsula State Fair.

Besides "Fred Bear," the Nuge is known for other FM radio mainstays such as the catchy "Cat Scratch Fever" and "Wango Tango."

Born in Detroit, the heavy-metal guitarist moved to Chicago in the mid-Sixties and formed the Amboy Dukes. Although the group had a smash with "Journey to the Center of Your Mind," Nugent remains strongly against illicit drugs. He returned to Detroit after just two years in the Windy City.

An avid big game hunter and an active supporter of the National Rifle Association, the "Motor City Madman" was also a member of the supergroup "Damn Yankees."

Nugent has performed in the U. P. before and when he tucks his long hair up under his hat can blend into any camo-wearing Yooper crowd.

Proving his love for the U. P., Ted contributed a track called "Comin' Down Hard" to the soundtrack of "Escanaba in Da Moonlight," the hunting comedy beloved by virtually everyone north of the Big Mac bridge.

If you want to see Ted's wildman stage antics in person, reserved seats are $24 and available at the ticket office at the Fairgrounds, as well as the Island Resort & Casino.

If country music is more to your liking, duo Montgomery Gentry will appear at the Fair Thursday, Aug. 18. Tickets are $29.
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STAIND'S NEXT DUE

Due to hit retail on Tuesday, Aug. 9, "Chapter V" is the cleverly titled fifth disc released by Staind since their debut in 1999. The metal-alternative-post grunge band originally found fame through heavy touring in the 1990s including sets with Limp Bizkit. The new album follows 1999's "Dysfunction," and "Break the Cycle," which went to number one on the charts in 2001. An "MTV Unplugged" DVD appeared in 2002, while "14 Shades of Grey" was released two years ago.
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OZZFEST 2005 ROLLS ON

Metalheads are swarming to OZZfest 2005 as the extravaganza makes its way across the country, with a stop at Alpine Valley slated for Saturday, Aug. 6. The show at East Troy, WI features numerous bands and a re-united Black Sabbath with frontman and tour namesake Ozzy Osbourne at the helm.
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FASTEST DOWNLOAD

The version of ''Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" performed by Paul McCartney and U2 to open the Live 8 series of concerts last month quickly became the number one downloaded song. The song was made available via computer just 45 minutes after it was performed.
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Next week's column will take a look at U. P. State Fair headliner "Seether."

Woodtick expands with Dirt Band

Growing, each year, the 12th annual Woodtick Music Festival next week will feature a national act as well as dozens of local and regional performers.

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band-- known by country, rock and folk fans-- will headline on Friday, Aug. 4, said festival organizer Brian Whitens.

Slated to run Aug. 4-7, the festival is expected to draw large crowds to the Hermansville area.

Whitens didn't intend to launch a music festival in 1994 when the first event was held in his garage with a few family and friends. "I had some 'Woodtick' t-shirts printed as a joke," he said.Two more annual music get- togethers were held in his garage until the growing event was moved to downtown Hermansville and then to larger quarters.

Also known as The Dirt Band, the group was a perfect match for Woodtick, Whitens added. The California-based band has had a dozen hits, the most-famous being the massively popular "Mr. Bojangles." The band is enjoying a resurgence following that early success.

Although he's been busy with Woodtick details, Whitens has also found the time to practice with old band-mates and will appear on stage Saturday night. Sunday's line-up will include an acoustic set by the Billy Shears band which originally re-united for a set at last year's festival.

Calling Woodtick "a U. P. thing," Whitens said the line-up features rootsy bluegrass, rock, country, blues and folk acts.

Weekend passes are available at Record Rack, Music Tree, Jim's Music in Marquette, Alias Bar & Grill, Wildwood Truck Stop, Sidetrack Lounge and Perry's Marathon.
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SKYNYRD COOKS

Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynryd blazed through their hits during an appearance at the Island Resort & Casino's Woodland Valley Amphitheater in Harris on a hot July 16. With the sun baking concert- goers, Skynryd steamed up the crowd with Sweet Home Alabama, Saturday Night Special, Gimme Three Steps and other tunes. A particularly enthusiastic response was given to Red, White and Blue which the band dedicated to service men and women and their families. A stellar performance of Freebird capped off the somewhat short set. Fireworks followed.

The Kentucky Headhunters opened the show and served up Dumas Walker and their hit version of Spirit in the Sky.

Next up at the casino's outdoor venue is a show entitled "Country Explosion" featuring Clint Black and Lorrie Morgan on Saturday, Sept. 3. The event will include a "Honky Tonk Tailgate Party" showcasing Chad Brock, Darryl Singletary, Jeff Carson and Rhett Atkins.
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ALICE RETURNS

Upper Peninsla favorite Alice Cooper-- purveyor of such hits as School's Out and I'm Eighteen-- will unleash his new album "Dirty Diamonds" on Tuesday, Aug. 2. Fans will remember his performance at last year's U. P. State Fair. Cooper stayed in town for a few days to play ball, shop and sign autographs.
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END OF EMINEM?

Rumor has it Michigan rapper Eminem plans to move away from performing and recording and into the producing . The superstar rapper, perhaps the world's most famous performer, has reportedly grown tired to the demands of celebrity and has done all he can do with his Slim Shady persona. He is looking to produce acts such as Proof and Bizarre and lower his profile in the music business. Some associates say "Encore," released last November will be Marshall Mather's last recording and his management is not denying those rumors.