Mailbag

Re: Jeff Beck
Hey Bob,
Hope you are well.
In 1967, Chris Wright and I were two guys just out of college running a booking agency called “The Ellis-Wright Agency,” specializing in booking bands for colleges. One day a guy who looked like a WWF wrestler (he was) burst into our one-room office – a very scary experience! He introduced himself as the renowned manager, Peter Grant. “I manage Jeff Beck,” he announced. “Jeff is represented by the top agency in the UK, but when I look at his date sheet, most of his work comes from you two, so I want you to become his new agents.” We were flabbergasted! It was the beginning of a great relationship. Peter also brought us Led Zeppelin and started us on a path to launching Chrysalis. RIP Jeff.
Best,
Terry Ellis
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Re: Jeff Beck
I don't think there is anything more important to any artist in any medium than to have their own recognizable style and when Beck played you knew who you were listening to from the very first note. His sound was his signature. In an era in which there were many great musicians and it was challenging to stand out, Beck's sound was as recognizable as his face.
Larry Brown (guitar)
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Re: Jeff Beck
My Original Foreigner Drummer husband was in 1972, the year we got married a member of The Roy Young Band. They recorded at Escape Studios in Kent, England. Here are some of his recollections of Jeff Beck:
"I did not put enough anti-freeze in the engine of our Zodiac, and it froze during the night, and cracked the engine block. Jeff offered to weld closed it so I could drive it home. Jeff would stop by the studio quite often as he lived quite close, just to listen to the music and hang out with us and the people at the studio. He would show up in one of the hot rods he had made, and once took me for a ride in one that looked like the Munster's car. It was blazingly fast, but because of the very upright windshield, he would not go over about 70 mph, but got there in about 2 seconds. Great fun, and he was a master car builder. I don't remember how often he would play with us, he never imposed, but if we invited him to play, he would, and it was always a privilege for us as he was very inventive.
Dennis"
Iona S. Elliott
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Subject: Random Major Label Royalty Issue
Hi Bob, you’ll recall the “majors” announced earlier this year they’d be forgiving unrecouped balances for certain legacy artists. Shock of shocks, I actually just received from WMG two modest checks (each mid five figures) for some ‘90s artists. The checks represented royalties that were accruing over 25+ years in a lump sum payment, so you can imagine going forward the annual revenue will be quite small, but this cash definitely makes a difference to the two artists in question.
It’s only the second time in recent memory I can rememebr the majors doing the right thing and seeing a result from it (the other being when Sony and WMG shared a piece of the Spotify equity money)
Cheers, keep up the fun writing.
Jeffrey Light, Esq.
Myman Greenspan Fox Rosenberg Mobasser Younger & Light LLP
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Subject: RE: Re-Dino Danelli
Those were the days, Bob. I worked at the pizza place and florist in the Plainview shopping center and there was a venue – My House – in the corner of the center. All the stores were connected via an underground hallway and after work we’d go through the basements and sneak into My House to watch and listen to some amazing music. The hassles and the rascals were always there… One of my friends was a drummer and he always said Dino and Liberty were the best…As an aside, my brother was taking guitar lessons from Richie McKenna from the hassles and I would drop off and pick him up at his house. Billy was there a few times. In the mid 90’s I was at a Grammy gig in NYC with my new girlfriend (my wife now for 28 years) and he walked in with Christie, looked at me and said “don’t I know you?” Needless to say my now wife was very impressed…..
Mitch

www.concertarchives.org/concerts/the-rascals-26d245a9-addc-4642-862d-26b5ad66898a
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Subject: Re: Empty Glass
Bob
I was quite heartened that you chose to discuss Pete’s solo records.
The two absolute heroes of my life have been John Lennon and Pete Townshend. As I got older, Pete has become so very very important to me.
I absolutely loved “who came first”, and Empty Glass I cherished even more.
But one night in London I was invited to my friend Barbara Charone’s house to hear the first test pressing of “All the best cowboys have Chinese eyes“. Barbara was an old friend who at that point was working in London as the press officer for WEA. I will never ever forget that night as long as I live, it is by far one of my two or three favorite albums ever. When I heard “the sea refuses no river”, I was stunned. In my view,… Pure, unadulterated, genius.
As I’ve always said,… Pete Townshend can sing the yellow pages and I will be entranced. Hope your print this…. Pete Townshend pretty much means everything to me.
Neal Preston
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From: Ian Lee
Subject: Re: Empty Glass
Hey Bob,
Happy holidays from your only tour bus owner/driver :)
I just finished my last tour after 18 months without a single day off.
I read everything you write. In hotels and in cafes after getting parked at whatever venue.
It’s articles like this that give me hope. You might have no real idea how important you are to people. So I wanted you to hear it-for the holidays. You are the only voice I feel has the reach to keep me connected to why I do what I do.
“Loneliness is cured by music, when done right”-you.
I don’t drive bands for the money. It’s a brutal way to make a living. I do it because I care about music.
That said, I’m first and foremost a musician. Like lots of the crew guys and gals, i identify as an artist.
18 months without a day off can hardly be called a side hustle. Somewhere in there, I stole a few hours when on stops in Chicago to go into Kingsize Soundlabs and make a record.
“Rock was all about blowing up the institutions. Searching for truth in a new way. Being the other and going down the road less taken” -you
I live the road less traveled. Definitely searching for truth in a new way.
“The older you get the more you realize this. It’s all b.s. and no one will be remembered” -you
Probably true. So why even try?

Why would a 53 year old bus driver make a f..kin record?
So he could sent it to Bob on Christmas eve, which Bob doesn’t celebrate :)
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From: John Boylan
Subject: RE: Cool Night
Hey Bob,

Thanks for sending that! My very first venture into the world of film music. How lucky can a twenty-something get? The guys in the Association wrote all the songs in the movie and I happened to be producing them at the time. I do remember that because of the tight schedule, we had to do the mag mixes (six-track stems for the post-production audio mixer) on Super Bowl Sunday, with the Jets facing the mighty Baltimore Colts. In his usual brash style, Broadway Joe Namath had famously guaranteed a victory. As a Buffalo native, I was partial to the upstart AFL, so I bet Stan Jaffe, the producer, fifty bucks that the Jets would win. He paid up. ??

Best,
JB
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Subject: Paul Davis
In December of 1977, I was working as a record rep for a small label
distributed by a one stop in Dallas called Heilicher Brothers, who distributed hundreds of labels. One of the other labels than the one I worked for was called Bang Records. I came across their song "I go crazy" and it gave me goosebumps! I noticed that the song was heading downwards on the Billboard Hot 100, yet I figured this is too good a song not to have a greater success than it does right now and already beheading down the charts. Through some research, I was able to find out the label Paul recorded on was Bang, and it was owned by a woman named Ilene Berns. I had never heard of her or her label, but I got hold of business her phone number and called her. She picked up.... and it changed my life. I told her I worked for a small New York based label and that I loved "I go crazy" and that I believed I could help her get airplay. I told her "if I can't help you, you do not have to pay me, but if I do help you, will you pay me $1,000? She agreed. I was able to convince top 40 giants at the time KLIF and KVIL to add the song. The next week
on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, the song reversed its downward spiral, and started climbing the charts bulleted, and finally settled into the top 10 for several months. A few months later, Ilene sent me my first gold record. What a thrill! Fortunately, I was able to meet Ilene and Paul in person a few months later at a Radio and Records convention in Dallas. Today, some 40 plus year since those goosebumps, I continue to promote music that
excites me.
Ronnie Raphael
Swan Promotion
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Subject: Re: Tom Petty's Gloria
hi bob
I was hoping you would mention this release! Since I was the house manager at the Fillmore for this run of shows I was lucky enough to be there for every one of the 20 shows, I even took the night off for the nights Roger McGuinn was the opening act, and sit in guest which was great as work is work & play is play. Anyway you hit the nail on head as far as it being a super special run not only for Tom & the band but also for the staff at The Fillmore and the Heartbreakers fans, many of whom made it to multiple performances. As the promotor for the shows Bill Graham Presents made sure both the band and the fans were treated first class. From the free apples at the top of the stairs to the commemorative posters handed out at the end of the show to the fans. As for the band, playing in one venue and city for a month is very unusual so care was taken to freshen up the scene every couple of days with differnet gifts to the band and crew, like Fillmore socks, laundry bags, House band jackets, hats, rain gear and even an Oscar party at the BGP office that the whole band came to on a night off! All this attention to detail paid off for all parties concerned and as Tom says it was the highlight of his their career. It was also the highlight of mine as well as many SF music fans to boot. The vibe was so relaxed in the hall as you can tell from the numerous remarks that Tom makes in between songs. Towards the end of the run I asked Benmont if they would be so kind as to work up a version of Greensleeves so that we could use that version to play over the PA after the show as was the tradition from the early days. They kindly whipped it up pronto at soundcheck and we used it for many years after the run concluded. Talk about Running Down a Dream, Why this took 25 years to come out is beyond me, but boy am I glad it did as it brings back a wave of memories that I hadn’t thought about in years, and that right there is the power of music in a nutshell!
Cheers
Dave Repp
Fillmore GM 1994-1999
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Subject: Re: Tom Petty's Gloria
Hi Bob,
I was fortunate enough to have attended two of those shows at the Fillmore. I was living in Menlo Park, and when they announced that Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers would do a 20-show residency at the 1,000-person capacity The Fillmore, I knew I had to be there.
The problem was that all twenty shows sold-out immediately. I was shut out. KFOG, the Bay Area’s best radio station at the time, further teased by broadcasting live snippets of each show every night. (They subsequently broadcast the entire show live on the final night of the residency). After hearing the excerpts from the first night’s show, I was more determined than ever to get to a show.
I drove into the city for the second night’s show without a ticket in hand, but undeterred. I figured I could find a scalper who would sell me one. However, there were no touts in sight, and not one extra ticket could be found. I had to resort to slipping a $20 bill to one of the venue’s security staff who shoved me through a back door and said to me “forget my face.” I was in!!
After an incredible 90-minute set that included Tom Petty classics and 11 cover songs, the band was bringing the show to a close with “You Don’t Know How It Feels” when the song suddenly came to an abrupt halt. A pepper spray cannister was set off by one of the audience members. The band was overcome and could not continue and left the stage. Everyone was coughing. The windows were opened, and the venue emptied. The bar served drinks on the house. The police made an arrest and paramedics treated some audience members. After 45 minutes of confusion, the fire department said it was okay to resume the show. The story has it that when the promoter apologized to Tom backstage, he deadpanned “No problem. It’s a gas.” The band came back onstage and played an additional 45 minutes, closing the show with “Gloria” which had not been performed the first night. Tom incorporated the pepper spray incident into the story he told when singing the song that night.
I attended my second show 15 days later. Somehow, I managed to get tickets that night. This show was just as dynamic and fresh as the first one I had witnessed. The bonus this night was that Carl Perkins made an unannounced guest appearance for covers of four of his songs: “Honey Don’t”, “Matchbox”, “Blue Suede Shows”, and “Restless.” A total of thirteen additional covers were also played that night, as well as many Tom Petty classics.
The real magic of the shows was that it was evident that Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers were thoroughly enjoying themselves and playing for the sheer enjoyment of performing. This was not a money grab. Tickets were modestly priced at $31.50 which was the typical rate for an arena show at that time, let alone an intimate show with a limited capacity. Each night as the concert attendees were leaving the venue, they were given a free limited-edition poster of the event. Four unique posters were distributed throughout the residency run, each one commemorating different dates of the residency. There was no attempt to get extra revenue by selling these posters at the merchandise booth. These posters are now sought-after on the collectibles market.
“Gloria” was always a highlight of the shows. The story of chasing the beautiful woman was told every time it was played, and it was always hilarious. The vindication that the rock and roll loser gets when the woman is told that he has a special gig at The Filmore is reminiscent of the story in Springsteen’s “Rosalita”: “Whoa, so your daddy says he knows I don’t have any money. Well, tell him this is his last chance to get his daughter in a fine romance, because the record company, Rosie, just gave me a big advance.”
After debuting it on the second night of the residency, they closed every subsequent show with it. The call and response with the audience when this song was played was always enthusiastic and special. Every time they played GLORIA, it was indeed G-L-O-R-I-O-U-S.
Best Regards,
Phil Stanley
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From: Hugh Surratt
Subject: Re: Shopping
Our regular CVS Drug Store is a few blocks away in the West Village. Every Thursday, I get a CVS email with (usually a 32% off coupon) for the next purchases. We’re in the 1% top saving customers in our hood—and we do save a lot of money every Sunday when we go in there. It’s great.
But…
Their stock always is depleted. And EVERYTHING is locked up. I mean, from toothpaste to soap to deodorant to aspirin. It’s NYC. Especially Tide Pods. Those things are under high security. People rip that sh.. off. I’ve seen guys selling bags of laundry pods on the subway.
Now, we go see my wife’s family in Lexington Kentucky 3-4 times a year. We were just there. The local CVS is fully stocked with nothing under lock & key. Totally different sitch. Believe me, I’m not praising everything about Kentucky (hello Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul), but when you get ‘out there’ and see other environments, well, it’s rather enlightening.
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Subject: Re: Shopping
Hi Bob, I'm aware of your attitude regarding indie record shops and the vinyl craze but we are very customer service oriented with staff loaded with expertise. At Grimey's we offer full-timers a group health care plan, 2 days in a row off each week, paid sick days and PTO, paid vacation time and all positions, even part-timers, start at $15/hour and go up from there. We have several 10+ year veterans, tons of institutional memory and every staffer is a music fanatic with different tastes. No matter what you're into, there's likely someone on staff who can engage with you on a deep level about whatever music you're looking for, from the 60 year old owner to the 21 year old clerk. Demand for vinyl has never been higher and the amount of new customers who just got their first turntable this Christmas has our new year off to a bang of a start. Plus you may see an in-store show, meet the artist and get your record or CD signed, like we're doing next Friday with Margo Price. I think it's worth a drive to our shop.
Doyle Davis
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From: Peter Kohan
Subject: Re: Shopping
Re: tire pressure gauge - I recently discovered Wawa stations have advanced air pressure machines - for free! - where you can enter the tire pressure you desire and the machine will emit a sound when it has filled to the capacity you choose. Now, the tires may not end up being perfectly balanced, but it allowed me to pump up my tires in last cold snap.
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From: Philip Tamarkin
Subject: Re: Shopping
I agree with you completely about the brick and mortar experience these days. In our household, everything but food is ordered online. The few recent, desperate trips I've made to a retail store have only reinforced my convictions. I haven't been to a Warby Parker store, but their online and call-center support is incredible. If something goes wrong (I've got a complex prescription that needed some tweaking) they take care of it quickly and professionally. Their service is second to none, and has made me a customer for life, even forsaking the credit that my health plan gives me which is only redeemable in their own optical salon. Give them another try! Best, Philip
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From: Don Calkins
Subject: Re: Shopping
Bob,
I read just about all of your newsletters and I have to tell you about Warby Parker.
My wife wears WP glasses. She purchased progressive lens glasses and sunglasses online several years ago. Last summer when we were in OH she went to a WP store, we don’t have one near us in FL, to have her glasses tightened. The salesclerk noticed that she had some scratches so she ordered another pair because she was still under warranty. The were delivered about 10 days later. Now she has two pair of glasses plus her sunglasses. We have a puppy that likes to chew things. She got ahold of both pair of glasses plus the sunglasses over a 45 day period and all three pair were somewhat mangled and unwearable. She calls WB two different times about glasses and sunglasses. WB charged her about $100 each time for new glasses. We were in OH again for Christmas and she took the 3 mangled pairs of glasses in and they repaired all three in 30 minutes so now she has three pair of sunglasses and three pairs of glasses. Great customer service. I don’t know how they can be profitable but as consumers, we are very happy. My wife tends to lose glasses and the puppy still like to chew stuff so we are happy to have extra glasses.
You and I are about the same age and have had many of the same life experiences.
I enjoy your newsletters.
Thx
Don
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Subject: Re: Mouth To Mouth
Once I read your review I immediately brought the book and audio book, I listened to it while working. I’ll just say it spoke to me on so many levels. The fact that I was raised by parents who told me what they were told (but I don’t see how they could truly believe it based on how their lives turned out.) if you did the right things, waited in line, you could make it and have a good life. What I found out is most of what they told me was wrong, ignorant, based on religious crap and of no use in the real world and I’ve spent a large portion of my life learning from the mistake of playing by the wrong set of rules. What I found out is most of those who “made it” had no more talent or less than I did but ego and a sense of entitlement the size of the Grand Canyon. I also suffered from growing up having too much to think I was poor and not enough to be elevated above the ignorance and stupidity that was rampant in the people all around me. When I came to Hollywood I actually believed people operated on a higher level and that what people said they could do, they really could do. Haha, I ran into more jealousy, cheaters, liars and plain stupid people in positions of power than I’d ever imagined and they were doing well!!! My upbringing is something I still battle against while navigating through the industry. Mouth To Mouth came at the perfect time. Throughly enjoyed it. ALL of it.
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From: Fachtna O Ceallaigh
re: M Chess
I hope the storms are not flooding you.
The Marshall Chess podcast was incredibly entertaining, well done.
F
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Re: Marshall Chess-This Week's Podcast
Bob, this was fantastic, loved the interview!
Jim Moran
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Re: Marshall Chess
I realize that they all can’t be good, but Marshall Chess might be your best.
Harold Bronson
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Subject: Marshall Chess interview
Had to drop you a line, kudos for the Marshall Chess interview. What a treasure trove of stories and insight. As a music biz old timer, I met Marshall once at Gavin when he was promoting a band called Alda Reserve. Funny enough I had just finished the book Up and Down With The Rolling Stones, in which he mentioned. That was a bit strange. He was quite dashing.
Having worked with Philip Bailey on his book, I really appreciated the added insight on Charles Stepney. I certainly remember and lived lots of the musical context from which MC speaks, including seeing the Stones play Winterland in 72 with Stevie Wonder and I believe, Terry Reid.
I’m reading the current book on Chuck Berry which is good, but your interview with Marshall, dude, you really hit it out of the park. Made the eras come alive. Great work!
Kent Zimmerman
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Re: Marshall Chess-This Week's Podcast
Bob, The Marshall Ches podcast/interview was some incredible real "fly on the wall" sh...
Brian Lukow
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Re: Marshall Chess-This Week's Podcast
One of my favorites of the interviews you’ve done. That guy was THERE
Jesse Lundy
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Re: Marshall Chess-This Week's Podcast
Thank you so much for the privilege of hearing that definitely a master class
Gennaro Rippo
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Subject: Marshall Chess podcast
I’m exhausted and all I did was listen to him talk. What a character! 80 years old and that much energy. I can’t imagine what a live wire he was at 20! Fantastic!
Russ Turk
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Subject: Thank you! I really enjoy your podcasts!
I'm not sure if you'll ever see this but I just wanted to thank you for very detailed and entertaining podcast interviews! I started listening to you during the pandemic and while I was working remotely creating marketing lists -- your podcasts and voice were a great escape from the monotony and isolation.
And recently listening to your Marshall Chess podcast I found out your father owned a liquor store in CT. My father owned a liquor store in NJ.
Best,
Donna Amato
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Re: Black Butterflies
It's 1:35 in the morning.. I am 4 episodes into Black Butterflies and I can't stop watching it. It's riveting and as you said not at all predictable
Ritch Esra
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Re: Black Butterflies
It's 5:00 AM. I just watched all 6 episodes. One of the richest, and most unpredictable films (Yes, it played like a 6 hour film) I've seen in years.
Thanks so much for recommending it Bob. Brilliant
Ritch Esra
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Re: Black Butterflies
Finished Black Butterflies last night. Wow. My standards are Gomorrah, The Bureau and Broadchurch....this is up there. Refreshing to be led into mystery without the series telegraphing and flagging the obvious/less creative plot points a lesser series would resort to. And brilliantly directed and photographed, too. Good tip!
Jason Cilo
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Re: Black Butterflies
Loved the show Bob, BUT, do you know why that gorgeous redhead lead woman was traded out in the last episode?? I have NEVER seen someone more physically attractive on screen. As you said none of the make-up of American actresses, and none of the gym constructed body.
Brian Brittain
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Re: Black Butterflies
I loved BB. I somehow sensed ____________________________. Confirmed in episode 5. Great acting, editing and directing.
Great show.
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Subject: Re: A Side Of Fries
Hi Bob,
Glad that you included a couple of shout outs to Nathan’s for the best french fries ever. My family actually started Nathan‘s in 1916. Nice to hear people are still enjoying those one-of-a-kind fries…
Bobby Handwerker
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I've been reading your blog for years. It's really the only blog I look forward to reading.
I was listening to Scott Galloway's podcast today and he shared a story about how you sharing something led to it going viral which led to him getting "The Four" published which led to him being where he is today.....That's a great f..king story.
I really appreciate your voice in the world.
Best,
Peter Daskarolis
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