Life is what happens when you are making other plans~ John Lennon
An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind~Gandhi
The time is always right to do what is right~ Martin Luther King Jr.


Showing posts with label British 60s. Show all posts
Showing posts with label British 60s. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

It's a Mod, Mod, Mod, Mod Murder characters

I may have done a book review on this book on here, but I thought how interesting it would be to do a post on some of the characters of this awesome story. BTW, if you love the 60s, both American and British, this is the story for you.

Here's a quick summary. It's told from the point of view of the main character

Bebe Bennett is a 22 year old secretary to Bradley Williams, Vice President of Talent at Rip City Records, a fictitious New York City record label. He's just signed on British band Philip Royal & The Beefeaters, a band from London similar to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. When the lead singer turns up dead, electrocuted in his bath tub by his guitar, all fingers are pointing at Bebe's friend and roommate, Texas born flight attendant Darlene Rowland. Add to the mix tons of suspects, from Philip's former girlfriend, model wannabe Astrid Loveday, and the rest of the band, from bass player Reggie Jones, who's desperately trying to contact his wife Jean and baby son Jamesy, lead guitarist Keith Michaels, who can drink like a fish and also do drugs, the list of suspects is too long. So, it's up to Bebe to solve the murder of the British pop star and bring a bright future to the newbie British band
Characters

Philip Royal
-Lead singer
-Story description: None
-Who I think he'd look like in real life: Mick Jagger all the way. From the ladies man reputation mainly!
Keith Michaels
-Lead guitarist
-Story description: Soon, a tall, extremely thin man in striped pants and a paisley shirt, his dark hair styled in a Beatles haircut, walked in. He immediately attracted attention. He was good looking in a tougher way than any of the Beatles, as if he'd enjoy a good fight and a good bourbon. He had nice brown eyes, a long aristocratic nose, and a charming smile, but his face bore a few pockmarks, left over from a childhood bout with the chicken pox, I guessed. There was a coldness about him, an aloof air that said he was already a star
-Who I think he'd look like in real life: A little bit of Pete Townshend from The Who, a little Keith Richards from the Stones

Reggie Jones
-Bass player
-Story description: This guy was a teddy bear, with a round face, brown eyes, and hair that fell into his eyes every couple of seconds
-Who I think he'd look like in real life: Charlie Watts from the Stones. Because in real life, Charlie is a sweet hearted guy who is faithful to his wife. In the story, it's revealed the lead singer was trying to wreck the guitarist's marriage by proving he was unfaithful.
Peter Smythe
-Drummer
-Story description: Peter looked a few years older than the other band members and had a receding hairline carefully concealed by a comb over. In fact, looking closely at that receding hairline, I saw what appeared to be pen marks right at the juncture where sandy hair met scalp. Good grief, was he marking where the hair started so that if he lost any more he'd know it?
-Who I think he'd look like in real life: Ian Stewart from the Stones, only with sandy hair
Nigel
-Manager
-Story description: The speaker was a man in his forties with a Cockney accent. He was a barrel of a man with a red nose, from heavy nights down at the pub I guessed. His hair was a wiry gray
-Who I think he'd look like in real life: no one, really

Patty Gentry
-Reporter, RPM Magazine
-Story description: described as a pretty blonde reporter with a tape recorder and microphone. She wore white boots, shorter than short skirt, a tiny top metal daisy chain belt
-Who I think she'd look like in real life: most likely, Marianne Faithfull as well
Astrid Loveday
-Story description: Heads turned all around the room as a curvy girl with waist length, straight blonde hair and bangs entered the room and posed for effect. She wore a gold lame dress that clung to her figure and screamed "Look at me!"
-Who I think he'd look like in real life: A little Catholic schoolgirl innocent looking Marianne Faithfull, a little dark reputation of Anita Pallenberg

Bebe Bennett
-Main character
-Story description: Not really much of one
-Who I think she'd look like in real life: Chrissie Shrimpton
Darlene Rowland
-Her roommate
-Story description: red hair, not much of one
-Who I think she'd look like in real life: wouldn't really look like anyone

Monday, August 12, 2013

Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton
Birth name: Eric Patrick Clapton
DOB: 3/30/1945
Where: Ripley, Surrey, England
Height: 5'11''
Nickname: Slowhand

Spouse
-Melia McEnery: 1/1/2002-present, 3 kids
-Patti Boyd: 3/27/1979-June 1980, divorced

Trademark
-Gruff singing voice
-Slow, complicated riffs, earning the nickname "Slowhand"






Trivia
-Didn't find out his father was a Canadian pilot until he was 53
-Dated Sheryl Crow in 1996
-On March 10, 1991, his son Conor died in a fall from a 53rd floor apartment. He dedicated his song "Tears in Heaven" to him
-Was a member of The Yardbirds, Derek & The Dominoes, Blind Faith, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream
-Both him and George Harrison were respectively married to Patti Boyd. 9 years after he recorded his trademark song "Layla" he married her
-Owned a string of Ferraris
-Cured his heroin addiction through electro-acupuncture; Boy George did the same thing 10 years later
-In May 2005, reunited with Ginger Baker for a Cream reunion
-Enjoys Mixed Martial Arts

Monday, April 22, 2013

I'm Not Sure Why...

But I've been in a severe 1960s mood lately. I think it has something to do with the fact that I recently finished a book titled It's a Mod, Mod, Mod, Mod Murder. Which is about a secretary who works for a music company who has to solve the murder of a British musician.

Man, Britain had some of the best music coming from there to the US. Heck, they still have some of the greatest musicians ever. Bad Company, Judas Priest, the Beatles, etc. Britain needs to keep making good rock music!

Here are some pics of my favorite decade!!!!!!

'Swinging' 1960s



Am I the only one who noticed a lot of those 'British 60s' bands all wore kinda the same clothes? You know, the so-called 'Beatle' boots, slim fitting pants, etc?















1960s


This picture made me laugh


Can't have the 1960s without a corny 60s beach movie




Sunday, April 21, 2013

Book Review: It's a Mod, Mod, Mod, Mod Murder

This is a book I found by accident. It takes place in my favorite decade of all time: the 1960s!! Specifically, America during the big "British Invasion" of the 1960s
Written by Rosemary Martin, It's a Mod, Mod, Mod, Mod Murder tells the story of Bebe Bennett, a woman from Richmond, Virginia, who works as secretary for Rip City Records, a fictitious music studio in New York City. Her manager, Bradley Williams, has just signed British rock band Philip Royal & the Beefeaters, a British band similar to The Beatles. She currently lives with Darlene Roland, a stewardess for an airline

Darlene has already familiarized herself with the lead singer of the band, Philip Royal, especially after she and him made themselves members of the Mile High Club. One day, when her and Bebe are supposed to double date with guys in the band, they go and find Philip murdered in his hotel room. He is found naked in a tub of water with his electric guitar in it and lyrics to one his songs, "Get Out of My Way" written on the wall.

Bebe and her friend Darlene are immediately considered suspects by Det. Finelli and Darlene is thus grounded from flying until this case is resolved. As they investigate, they meet other members of the band. Like Reggie Jones, the bassist, who unknown to all, is a father to a young boy with a wife. Keith Michaels, a guitarist, who is discovered to have a bit of a drinking problem and hot temper. Peter, the drummer, who has countless tie tacks he wears, which in his words "Ringo's got the rings, I got the tie tacks. Everyone needs a gimmick".

As they continue to investigate, more suspects come up, including Patty Gentry, a British reporter following the band, and a wannabe model named Astrid Loveday, who had previously dated Philip, but instead moved on to Peter so she could be close to him. The book finally ends with Bebe proving Darlene's innocence by proving that a member of Rip City Records named Vince Walsh was the one who killed him. The book ends with Darlene, Nigel, the band's manager and also member of the band, Reggie Jones, Keith Michaels, Peter, and Bebe checking out a new singer named Devon Woods, who's English, and also a man the band finally recruit for the new singer position

The book is full of cultural references and icons that were popular in that era. A lot of the references being in the 1960s, like references to musicians of that time, like Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Neil Diamond, etc. This book is perfect for any lover of 1960s culture, or 1960s Britain, like moi for example, lol!!!

Friday, January 4, 2013

Almost a Career Killer...

Ever wonder if a musician made an album that sucked so bad it almost killed their career? Here are some really bad albums that thankfully did not kill a band!

Van Halen
-Van Halen III
-Went through 3 vocalists. 1st: David Lee Roth, 2nd: Sammy Hagar, 3rd: Extreme singer Gary Cherone
-Was 14 years after this that the group made another album










Kiss
-Music from the Elder
-Had a medieval theme to it
The Rolling Stones
-Their Satanic Majestie's Request
-Tried to overcome The Beatles Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club album






Bob Dylan
-Under the Red Sky
-Had nursery rhyme-like lyrics

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Strange Rock Deaths

Find out what rock stars died a strange rock death

Keith Relf
-The Yardbirds
-Electrocuted himself while playing guitar




Steve Peregrin
-T.Rex
-Choked on a cherry cocktail









Terry Kath
-Chicago
-Put a 9mm semiautomatic pistol to his head and pulled the trigger







Mike Edwards
-Electric Light Orchestra
-Died when a 1300 pound hay bale rolled down a hill and ran into his van









Randy California
-Spirit
-Died trying to save his 12 year old son Quinn who was caught in a riptide







'Mama' Cass Elliot
-The Mamas and the Papas
-Rumor has it she died from choking on a ham sandwich
-But the actual cause of death was a heart attack from her obesity






Brian Jones
-Rolling Stones
-Overdose on alcohol and drugs was referred to by the London Police as a "death by misadventure"




Michael Hutchence
-INXS
-Committed suicide under the influence of drugs and alcohol, instead of the rumor he had died from auto-erotic asphyixiation










Sonny Bono
-Sonny and Cher
-Hit a tree iat Lake Tahoe and died form injuries

Friday, October 19, 2012

Top 100 Classic Rock Songs 79-50

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/top-100-classic-rock-songs/

79
-Let My Love Open the Door: Pete Townshend

78
-A Horse with No Name: America
-Loooooooooooove this song!!

77
-Mississippi Queen: Mountain

76
-Hair of the dog: Nazareth

75
-For What It's Worth: Buffalo Springfield

74
-Blinded by the Light: Manfred Mann

73
-Walk on the Wild Side: Lou Reed

72
-Juke Box Hero: Foreigner

71
-Piece of My Heart: Janis Joplin

70
-Burning Down the House: Talking Heads

69
-Maggie May: Rod Stewart
-Love this song!!!!!

68
-The Boys of Summer: Don Henley
-Love this song!!!

67
-Home Sweet Home: Motley Crue

66
-In the Air Tonight: Phil Collins
-Love this song!!!!!!!!

65
-You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet: BTO(Bachman, Turner, Overdrive)

64
-Edge of Seventeen: Stevie Nicks

63
-Piano Man: Billy Joel
-Loooooooooooooove this song!!!!

62
-Radar Love:Golden Earring
-Love this song!

61
-Pride and Joy: Stevie Ray Vaughn

60
-Slow Ride: Foghat

59
-You Really Got Me: The Kinks
-Love Van Halen's cover of it

58
-The Joker: Steve Miller Band

57
-Rocky Mountain Way: Joe Walsh

56
-My Sweeet Lord: George Harrison
-Looooooooooooooooove this song!!!

55
-Photograph: Def Leppard
-Loooooooooooove this song!

54
-All Right Now: Free

53
-Don't Fear the Reaper: Blue Oyster Cult

52
-American Woman: Guess Who

51
-Roxanne: The Police
-HATE this song!

50
-Show Me the Way: Peter Frampton

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

House Designs

This is the first of its kind to be done on my blog. This post will be about designs in houses that spark my creativity and/or inspiration. Something I want to do when I get my own place.

1960s Homes
-I just love ranch-style homes. They're flat, usually single floor, and just cool to look at. In fact, it's the kind of home I live in now, owned by my mom and stepdad



Asian style home designs
-I just love the warm, relaxing environment of Asian style homes. The wood floors, the shoji screens, I'm a sucker for anything Asian culture



Southwestern Homes
-I adore everything about homes like this. Adobe houses are cool in the summer, warm in the winterm and they're just cool to look at.