Fans of the Rolling Stones know all about a little known underground film that could not be released in the early 1970s. It was called “Cocksucker Blues.” It was made around the time of he recording of “Exile on Main Street” in 1971 and it contained some racy, racy stuff. (Considering what we see on YouTube and from Paris Hilton, however, it may seem tame now!)
Last week, around the time Sting told the AP’s Nekesa Moody how much he loved Barack Obama, he also did something unusual: launched a book of photos by pal Bobby Sager, the Boston mover and shaker who inspired NBC’s summer series, “The Philanthropist.” He even played a couple of songs for guests at a party thrown at Donna Karan’s Urban Zen studio on Greenwich Street.
Sager’s pics of children in Africa were used by Sting for the live video presentation during “Invisible Sun” on the Police reunion tour. It only makes sense that Sager would publish the photos now as “The Power of the Invisible Sun.” The book — in two different gift versions– is on sale at amazon.com and www.poweroftheinvisiblesun.com.
Proceeds from the sale go to a new charity called Hope Is A Game Changer Project. When you buy a book, an indestructible yellow soccer ball is automatically sent to a kid in Africa. The idea for the balls came from a picture Sager took in the Congo of a makeshift ball composed of garbage bags and string. The idea, of course, is to replace guns with soccer balls. It’s simple, and fairly inexpensive. And brilliant.
As for Sting, I loved what he said about Obama: “In many ways, he’s sent from God,” Sting joked, “because the world’s a mess.” He added: “I can’t think of anyone better qualified because of his background, his education, particularly in regard to Islam.”
Right on: now where are all the other Obama supporters speaking out? Now is the time. It’s only patriotic to support the president of the United States…
…Meantime: The box set of the Rolling Stones‘ “Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out” has been released, and it’s a winner. The 40th anniversary edition includes unreleased Stones tracks from the famous 1969 concert, as well as the Maysles brothers’ breathtaking 28 minute film, unreleased music from B.B. King and Ike and Tina Turner, and the best version of “Satisfaction” ever recorded…Plus you get souvenir guitar pick…
Now that we’ve gotten past the massive Beatles reissue, it’s time for the Rolling Stones.
In late November, ABKCO–keeper of all the original Stones archives–is going to release a 40th-anniversary box set of the Stones’ seminal, classic, legendary, famous live album, “Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out.”
Yes, the music is amazing. The remastered sound, created at ABKCO’s new downtown recording studio, will just blow your socks off. Not only does it include the original album, recorded at Madison Square Garden in November 1969, but it also includes the opening acts– B.B. King and Ike and Tina Turner. The latter material has never before been available.
The Stones’ portion is the original 10 tracks plus five that were never released. The latter includes a version of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” that elevates this well worn Stones classic from pop hit to fundamental part of rock history. It’s absolutely stunning.
But–and this is a big but–the highlight of the “Ya Ya”’s package is a 28-minute film put together from material shot by Albert Maysles and his late brother David. The film is going to blow fan’s minds, especially when it’s shown in some movie theaters during its week of release.
The Maysles, of course, also shot the Stones’ infamous free concert at Altamont, the one that became “Gimme Shelter.” So this 28-minute film ends with never been seen footage of the Stones and the Grateful Dead waiting on a rooftop for the helicopter that’s supposed to bring them to Altamont.
You must see Mick Jagger literally snubbing Jerry Garcia, and the Stones barely speaking to the Dead as they all wait for their ride. The irony, of course, is that the Dead organized the Altamont show but never played. The violence was already out of control. And, quite notoriously and tragically, a man was killed during the Stones’ set.
Those Rock and Roll Hall of Fame shows set for October at Madison Square Garden: they’re already causing controversy.
Missing from the rosters on both nights are just about everyone important: Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Elton John, Sting, Bonnie Raitt, Carole King, The Eagles, Billy Joel, Steve Winwood, not to mention the Kinks and the Who, Fleetwood Mac, and so on.
The listings omit both women and blacks with the exception of Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. How sad, and stupid. Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Gladys Knight, Lionel Richie–all missing. Al Green, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Sam Moore, Booker T, Mavis Staples, Gene Chandler, Percy Sledge, all the doo-wop groups, Dion and the Belmonts– missing.
What this is: a Rolling Stone magazine celebration cloaked as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Otherwise, Chubby Checker would start the show with “The Twist.” But he’s not even in the Rock Hall. So there!
And where are the chicks, so to speak? Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt, who made Rolling Stone so big in the 70s? Or all the punky rock groups from the Phil Spector era, or Darlene Love? Something tells me there are going to be lots of medleys led by the indefatigable Paul Shaffer, in between the big acts already announced. It will be like one of those hideous PBS singalongs from Pittsburgh.
And what of the O’Jays, the Dells, the Chi Lites, the Stylistics and Earth Wind and Fire? Blondie, the Cars, the Ramones, the Pretenders and Talking Heads? Elvis Costello? Patti Smith? George Clinton?
And Joel Peresman gets $376,000 a year. It boggles the mind.
