Exploitation’s Legendary Sex Kitten Uschi Digard! Her Camp Classic “Toy Box”!

Exploitation cinema has a long and entertaining history of crazy films – and a bevy of sexy Actresses who bring their unique “assets” to the filmmaking process:

Uschi Digard has a unique name, and an equally unique career – everything from nudie pinups to sex kitten in a number of Russ Meyer cult classics!

Legendary Director Russ Meyer made some of the most outrageous sexploitation films of the 60’s and 70’s, including what many consider to be the greatest exploitation film ever made:

I have posted about a number of the Director’s films – and stars – and there are links below, but I want to spend a bit of time talking about one of his most visually distinctive stars of all:

Celebrating the Career Of Uschi Digard!

If you don’t know the name, you might recognize the face – Digard was in a number of Russ Meyer films in the late 60’s and 70’s, plus has a cameo in one of the best comedies ever released!

Let’s begin in Europe, where so many of the early Starlets got their start. Here is how she once spoke of her childhood:

“I was born in Saltsjö-Duvnäs, a little town outside Stockholm, Sweden, and am of Swedish/Swiss heritage. I was sent to a boarding school with nuns at an early age because those were the best schools in the country and I was pretty promiscuous as a little one — not with men, but with books. I loved reading and at age 6 I decided I wanted to learn languages because I couldn’t stand reading books that had been translated — they lost the essence. By age 7 I had read every book in the little village library.”

Russ Meyer Discovers Uschi!

Tigard’s big break came in the late 60’s…here is what happened, according to Digard’s official website:

“Uschi Digard got her big adult sex film break in 1969 when a film lab lost some footage of Russ Meyer’s “Cherry, Harry, & Raquel”. Russ Meyer, who had discovered Uschi Digard in a nude Penthouse feature, shot some sex action footage of Uschi Digard to replace the missing footage. This led to the casting of Uschi Digard in two other Russ Meyer films: “Supervixens” (1975) and “Beneath the Valley of the Ultravixens” (1979).”

Russ Meyers was known, of course, for his love of the female body, and his films celebrated women like Uschi, in a series of wild sexploitation classics that were profane and hilariously funny…

She worked with Meyers on a number of his movies, in big roles as well as cameo appearances, and was a co-producer on “Up!” and “Beneath the Valley of the Ultravixens!”

Aside from the Russ Meyer films, Digard starred in a slew of low-budget camp classics like this one:

Uschi’s “Toy Box”!

“Squaws did it for their Braves…why not Ralph?”

This is one of the strangest movies I’ve ever seen, beginning with that hilarious line of dialogue as our star decides whether to “please” her man – “The Toy Box” is an obscure oddity, a pure sexploitation horror film without any regard for a coherent plot! It doesn’t matter though, since Uschi Digard shows up in the film for one reason: to perform a totally nude solo scene on a bed as she imagines a ghost groping her!

Most of the film’s running time has naked hippies dancing to bad music and rolling around on the dirty floor…and yes, it is as unappealing as it sounds…except for Uschi, of course! This film was produced by Harry Novak, the King of Exploitation! He passed away a few years ago, but not before leaving us films like “The Toy Box” and others like this!

You can read more about this master of Sexploitation by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/04/03/weve-lost-the-king-of-mind-blowing-movies-rip-harry-novak/

Uschi Digard appeared in a wide array of films, with full frontal nudity and sexual situations a regular part of her cinematic routine. But she always exuded a aggressive female sexual persona – not a sex toy, but an empowered sexual being…

She had a number of other minor roles as well, including a small part as a prisoner in the bad taste cult classic “Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS” in 1975.

Digard Is A Bad Catholic Schoolgirl!

Of all of her roles, I will always remember this one!

In 1977, Digard had a cameo appearance in the hilarious fake movie trailer called “Catholic High School Girls in Trouble” from John Landis’s “Kentucky Fried Movie.”

If you haven’t seen this movie, you are missing one of the funniest films ever made, by the guys who went on to make “Airplane!”

Read all about “Kentucky Fried Movie” here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/06/03/big-jim-slade-fistfuls-of-yen-its-the-kentucky-fried-movie/

In addition to acting, Uschi was one of the most popular “men’s magazine models” as well…

She was among the best known “big bust” models in the late-1960s and early-1970s, building up a cult fan base and unabashedly embracing her fame…

Retro-Seduction Cinema now has a great collection of her most offbeat and sensual movies in a special collection, and the Russ Meyer films are also widely available today…

Even though Uschi Digard is know for her physical appearance, she is also very intelligent – she speaks eight languages – German, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, French and English!

This movie star still looks great today. Now married, she lives in Palm Springs and North Hollywood.

If you want to support this classic sex kitten, go to her website here:

http://www.uschidigart.com

Yes, it’s very NSFW once you enter, but it’s also a fascinating story of a time that is long gone in cinema…

If you want to know more about Russ Meyer, especially a closer look at this classic cult movies, click on my story here:

RIP Haji! FASTER, PUSSYCAT Star! Russ Meyer’s SEXPLOITATION CLASSICS!

Uschi is just one sex symbol that I have profiled, and it’s great to see she is living happily today. Another one who has prospered is the legendary Mamie Van Doren:

Mamie Van Doren
Screen Legend Mamie Van Doren launches Mamietage Wine
held at Eleven Restaurant – Arrivals
West Hollywood, California – 14.11.07
Credit: (Mandatory): Dimitri Halkidis / WENN

She starred in some of the most provocative films of the 50’s and 60’s, and she is still active on social media today! Read all about here here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/07/07/mamie-van-doren-legendary-hollywood-sex-kitten-untamed-sex-symbol/

Another more mainstream sex kitten from the 60’s turned into one of Hollywood’s best Actresses of the 70’s:

Ann Margret starred with Jack Nicholson in “Carnal Knowledge”, as will always be remembered for her “baked bean scene” from the classic 70’s rock opera “Tommy”:

Read all about this fascinating movie star by clicking on my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/11/23/hollywoods-legendary-sex-kitten-ann-margret-rock-operas-baked-beans-elvis/

Let me know if you’ve seen any of Uschi Digard’s work!

“That’s Sexploitation” – Cinema’s Greatest Genre Is “Docu”-mented!

Fans of cult movies have a reason to rejoice – the “Godfather of Grindhouse Documentaries” is here!

Yes, even THIS “Psycho Cat” is happy about it!

First, check out this trailer – safe for work – yet also full of what makes “sexploitation” one of the most hilarious genres ever committed to celluloid!

There are so many scenes in that trailer that showcase what an “anything goes” genre of film “sexploitation” was!

Here is how the terrific website “Mondo Digital” describes the company behind this amazing documentary “That’s Sexploitation!”:

“You’d be hard pressed to find a company more responsible for creating exploitation video addicts than Something Weird Video, which started off as a grassroots VHS seller in the ‘80s but exploded into an incredible resource for sexy, scary gems either absent from movie screen for years or, in many cases, never seen at all!”

Yes, the terrific cult video distribution company “Something Weird Video” rescued films like “The Defilers” from obscurity. The review goes on:

“From there the company started racking up the catalogs of names like Harry Novak and Doris Wishman, not to mention the remaining H.G. Lewis titles, while also churning out countless volumes of loops (sexy short films) ranging from nudie cuties to vintage hardcore.”

Movies like “Forbidden Love” were classic “grind house” films – movies that played the grungiest theaters in America, like these on New York’s 42nd street:

I’ve posted many stories about these legendarily seedy movie theaters from the early 70’s, and you can read more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/11/23/sex-violence-grindhouse-have-a-purient-holiday-an-exploitation-gift-guide/

When Something Weird announced they were doing a documentary about this time in film, I knew it would be great!

Frank Henenlotter is the director of the cult classic “Basket Case” – another film that was part of the Something Weird brand – and “Frankenhooker”, a modern homage to “grind house” cinema. As Mondo Digital reports:

“His involvement with the company and friendship with the Vraney family included the beloved line of “Frank Henenlotter’s Sexy Shockers from the Vault” series, one of the company’s high points in its VHS prime, in addition to solidifying its voice by writing the vast majority of the incredibly witty and catchy copy for their releases.”

Henenlotter directed “That’s Sexploitation!”, and he had total access to the Something Weird catalog…this amazing new documentary also has a ton of extras! Here’s the product description from Amazon:

“From director Frank Henenlotter (BASKET CASE, BRAIN DAMAGE) and co-producer Mike Vraney (the late founder of Something Weird Video) comes the epic documentary critics call fascinating (Video Watchdog), titillating (Time Out Los Angeles) and jaw-dropping (Seattle Weekly): Henenlotter and legendary exploitation monarch David F. Friedman in his final film appearance are your hosts for this eye-popping expedition through the world of pre-code peekaboos, stags, sex-hygiene films, goona-goonas, nudie-cuties, roughies, druggies, white-coaters and more, featuring thousands of spicy clips from the SWV archives. And if that’s not enough. the Bonus Features include an additional 3+ hours of rare loops and shorts from five decades of Sexploitation history!”

Special Features on the Blu-Ray include:
Over 3 1/2 Hours of Sexploitation Shorts From The Something Weird Archives
Audio Commentary With Director Frank Henenlotter And Something Weird’s Lisa Petrucci
Trailer

I have mine pre-ordered so I can dig into this movie the day it comes out!

You can read Mondo Digital’s whole writeup of this incredible documentary here:

http://www.mondo-digital.com/sexploitation.html

And bravo to “Something Weird” for their passion for great cult films!

Sadly, SWV Founder Mike Vraney passed away two years ago, and I posted an homage to him here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/01/07/something-weird-wild-wild-cinema-celebrating-a-weird-genius-rip-mike-vraney/

I have also posted many stories about the “sexploitation” genre, films with provocative titles like this:

How can you go wrong with a movie title like that? Here is a look at some of the wildest movies of the genre:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/02/21/an-exploitation-primer-your-guide-to-the-world-of-classic-cult-spoitation-genres-cult-movies-to-make-you-blush/

There are so many great examples, it’s hard to cover them all – but as you see, they left almost nothing “covered!”

Here are some of the more “pandering” examples of the genre!

https://johnrieber.com/2015/07/20/sexy-bored-housewives-loves-agony-how-to-make-a-bed-classic-ecstasy/

Let me know what you think of this incredible new documentary!

“Loneliness has followed me my whole life, everywhere. In bars, in cars, sidewalks, stores, everywhere. There’s no escape. I’m God’s lonely man.”

One of cinema’s most compelling characters, brought to vivid life by America’s greatest Actor, who also uttered this line:

“Sometimes, it’s not so easy being Fearless Leader.”

Here Are Three Reasons To Love Robert DeNiro, And One BIG Reason To Hate Him!

He will always be considered on of our greatest Actors, with a body of work that got our attention with “Mean Streets” and “The Godfather Part 2″…

DeNiro’s reputation was cemented with his stunning work as Travis Bickle, “God’s Lonely Man” in “Taxi Driver”, which is celebrating its 40th year by holding a special screening at DeNiro’s Tribeca film festival!

TAXI DRIVER – 1976.

Simply put, it’s a masterpiece – and more timely today than ever.

Robert DeNiro is Travis Bickle, an ex-Marine and Vietnam War veteran living in New York City. As he suffers from insomnia, he spends his time working as a taxi driver at night…

Travis Bickle: “All the animals come out at night – whores, skunk pussies, buggers, queens, fairies, dopers, junkies, sick, venal. Someday a real rain will come and wash all this scum off the streets. I go all over. I take people to the Bronx, Brooklyn, I take ’em to Harlem. I don’t care. Don’t make no difference to me. It does to some. Some won’t even take spooks. Don’t make no difference to me.”

Here is the original theatrical trailer:

The film is a modern movie classic, a story of alienation, hatred and revenge…with some of the most searing dialogue ever written, thanks to Paul Schrader:

“Loneliness has followed me my whole life, everywhere. In bars, in cars, sidewalks, stores, everywhere. There’s no escape. I’m God’s lonely man.”

Robert De Niro worked twelve hour days for a month driving cabs as preparation for this role. He also studied mental illness.

“You Talkin’ To Me?”

Of course, the film is best known for this brilliant monologue: and yes, one of cinema’s greatest lines was written by DeNiro himself!

The scene where Bickle is talking to himself in the mirror was completely ad-libbed by DeNiro! The screenplay details just said, “Travis looks in the mirror.”

Travis Bickle: [Travis is trying his guns on the mirror] Huh? Huh?
[Draws]
Travis Bickle: Faster than you, fucking son of a… Saw you coming you fucking… shitheel.
[Reholsters]
Travis Bickle: I’m standing here; you make the move. You make the move. It’s your move…
[Draws]
Travis Bickle: Don’t try it you fuck.
[Reholsters]
Travis Bickle: You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? Then who the hell else are you talking… you talking to me? Well I’m the only one here. Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to? Oh yeah? OK.
[Draws]

The line “You talkin’ to me?” was voted as the #10 movie quote by the American Film Institute, and as as the #8 of “The 100 Greatest Movie Lines” by Premiere in 2007.

This film is absolutely saturated with the streets of New York – as it existed in the seedy seventies!

Taxi Driver (1976)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Shown from left on the set: Jodie Foster, Robert De Niro, director Martin Scorsese

The 40th anniversary screening included a conversation on stage with the movie’s principal cast and crew…it would be fascinating to hear all of them talk about what this film has meant to them, and to our culture…of course, DeNiro collaborated many times since with Director Martin Scorsese, in brilliant films like “Raging Bull” and this criminally overlooked cult classic:

The King Of Comedy!

Scorsese and DeNiro re-teamed on a dark satire that was as prescient about stardom as “Network” was about television!

Check out the trailer:

Jerry Lewis gives an amazing performance alongside DeNiro, in the story of an aspiring comic who develops a dangerous relationship with a late night Talk Show Host, played by Lewis.

A terrific new blu-ray release digs into the movie, including a great “reunion” conversation with many of the film’s participants!

See more by clicking here:

“The King Of Comedy” Goes Blu! Amazing Extras! Scorsese Grills Pupkin!

In the 90’s, DeNiro showed us he could do comedy, playing a bounty hunter who just wants to get to LA by midnight Friday…against ALL odds:

Midnight Run!

This 90’s buddy comedy combined action with hilarious one-liners, and proved how adept DeNiro was at comedy:

Charles Grodin gives one of his best performances as an Accountant who steals from the mob. This classic comedy was also criminally under-appreciated upon release, but now has a great new blu-ray release as well.

See more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/11/28/fistophobia-the-brilliant-but-neglected-buddy-action-comedy-midnight-run/

DeNiro’s movie output increased noticably since the late 90’s…some were great comedic roles like “Meet The Parents”…and some were easy supporting roles like his work in “Silver Linings Playbook”.

However, look at some of these movie titles: “Showtime”, “The Fan” and “Last Vegas” are among the films of the last twenty years that show an Actor clearly working for a paycheck.

But one film stands out as the most egregious mistake he’s ever made – and one that made fans realize his days of “Raging” were over!

“Sometimes, it’s not so easy being Fearless Leader.”

The Disaster Of “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle!”

Except for a big paycheck, it’s impossible to understand why America’s greatest Actor would make this film, based on the television cartoon “The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show”.

Check out the embarrassing trailer:

As you can see, a sad day for all concerned. The animated characters Rocky and Bullwinkle shared the screen with live actors portraying Fearless Leader (Robert De Niro), Boris Badenov (Jason Alexander), Natasha Fatale (Rene Russo).

I’m not really angry at DeNiro – everyone has the right to take a role for any reason…but it’s hard to see the monologue from “Taxi Driver” and then read this one from “Bullwinkle”:

“Have you liquidated Moose and Squirrel? Did you use the CDI? Are you talking to me? Are you talking to me? Then who else are you talking to? Are you talking to me? Well, I am the only one here, so you must be talking to me. And you are lying! Now catch Moose and Squirrel. And next time use the CDI on them.”

Yes, DeNiro’s fearless leader (Robert De Niro) actually says to Boris & Natasha “You talkin’ to me?…There’s no one else here, so you must be talking to me”.

Well, they can’t ALL be classics! As DeNiro says at one point in the film:

“Sometimes, it’s not so easy being Fearless Leader.”

Longevity in the film business is rare, so a career going on 50 years is one to applaud, even if DeNiro’s output now is spotty, to phrase it kindly. I will remember him this way:

Yes, it’s a picture of DeNiro auditioning for “The Godfather!” He missed out on the original, but was of course, Don Corleone in “Part II”…see his audition here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/07/19/the-godfather-screen-tests-robert-deniro-is-sonny-corleone-godfather-trivia/

And Bravo to the creative team behind the brilliant “Taxi Driver!”

Taxi Driver (1976)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Shown from left on the set: Jodie Foster, Robert De Niro, director Martin Scorsese

“I Am NOT Throwing Away My Shot!”

It’s the “Shot” being heard around the musical world…much anticipated Tony Awards, recent Grammy Awards, and now the Pulitzer Prize! It’s the “hip hop history” brilliance of “Hamilton!”

“Hamilton” Smashes Through The Hype!

It’s the story of one of America’s founding fathers – who never became President, is best known for winding up on the $10 bill – even thought nobody knows why…it’s hardly the stuff of Broadway legend, but a legend it is – check out this teaser!

It’s the single hardest ticket to get on Broadway – Hamilton is a most unlikely smash hit – a musical about Alexander Hamilton!

The “Hip Hop History” Brilliance of Lin-Manuel Miranda!

The entire musical was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the origin is already the stuff of legend. While on a vacation from his hit Broadway show “In The Heights”, Lin-Manuel Miranda read the biography of Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow.

Thomas Jefferson’s Got Swagger!

Yes, the man in purple is Miranda’s creative vision of America’s third President, Thomas Jefferson. It was all part of what Miranda created – “The Hamilton Mixtape”, the story of Alexander Hamilton told through hip hop music!

The musical was ultimately titled “Hamilton”, and had its Off-Broadway debut at The Public Theater in February 2015, then moved to Broadway in August 2015 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, becoming an immediate sensation – and has won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Our “Hamilton” Adventure!

On the week the show would win a Pulitzer Prize, we arrived a half hour before the show, and like everyone else, immediately got a shot of ourselves in front of the marquee:

Once inside, you quickly remember that Broadway theaters aren’t very large, built in earlier times…and of course the place was packed to the rafters…

It also felt electric inside: a sense that something special was about to happen, and boy did the show NOT disappoint!

Here are some quick excerpts from a WSJ feature on the show:

I won’t give away anything more except to say that the unique manner in which Miranda tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr and the founding of America is simply brilliant…this show blows away the hype and becomes an instant classic!

“Let’s Go Crazy” With A Prince Tribute!

The night before we saw the show, Prince died tragically, and the cast did a short “homage” to the late great singer….

You can see more videos, hear some music and experience all that is “Hamilton” on their official webpage here:

http://atlanticrecords.com/HamiltonMusic/

Afterwards, the entire audience hung around to soak up the atmosphere and electricity that remained – it is profoundly entertaining and moving – with a unique creativity that is simply unmatched…

We rushed out to get the cast album and re-live the great music from the show…and appreciate the brilliance that is “Hamilton!”

If it makes you want to know more about US history, you can start with this guy:

Yes, President Warren G. Harding loved to point things out, like the fact that he was on of the WORST Presidents of all time, and a horny old guy to boot!

You can read more about his White House sexcapades here:

America’s Horniest President! Warren G. Harding’s Sex Shenanigans In The White House!

And there are many tragedies surrounding the American presidency:

This incredible story documents how White House Doctors killed President Garfield though incompetence! Read it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/09/24/shocking-presidential-history-the-destiny-of-the-republic/

And to leave you on a more upbeat note, I have also included the recipe for President Obama’s beer:

Read more about Obama beer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/09/07/ale-to-the-chief-president-obamas-beer-plus-classic-beer-ads/

Let me know if you’ve seen his masterpiece yet!

“There’s something at the heart of it that’s simply awful
A man who makes a living off a plastic waffle!”

Time to celebrate an album from an Artist whose “plastic waffles” make millions of fans rejoice! Time for four more sides of inventive and memorable “Todd!”

An Album As Multi-Colored As His Hair!

After the huge success of the Todd’s double album “Something/Anything?”, he took a detour with the experimental – and brilliant – “A Wizard, A True Star”.

“AWATS” was greeted poorly upon release, but has become just another of Todd’s masterpieces…read more about it here:

“A Genius A True Star!” Todd Rundgren’s Musical Influence! “AWATS” Re-Appraised! More Todd “MOJO!”

Todd then followed up with “Todd”, his fifth album and second double album, released in February 1974.

Pop Hits! Classic Ballads! Timeless Todd!

You could also call him amazingly prolific, since this double album included 17 songs, including 5 instrumentals and one cover!

Todd’s “Oil” Crisis!

Here’s some interesting trivia: the release of the album was actually delayed by a vinyl shortage caused by the 1973 oil crisis!

Of course, record company politics were also a factor since the album’s release was also compounded by reluctance from the record label, Bearsville, to release a new album when his song “Hello It’s Me” from Something/Anything? was still on the singles chart!

Here is a look at the great double album “Todd”!

“How About A Little Fanfare?” / “I Think You Know”

The album begins with a short instrumental – “Fanfare” uses synthesizers, sound effect sand what feels like a car revving up its engine, then segues right into another of Todd’s great pop hits…Here is Todd performing them both live in 2010:

Thanks as always to “HarryRunt danu” on YouTube for posting great Todd performances!

More on where this live performance is from later…

“The Spark Of Life” is next, the second instrumental in only three songs, an interesting pop of fun before Todd gives you his opinion of his career with the goofy fun of:

“An Elpee’s Worth Of Tunes”

Tod always has fun in the studio, and shares his sense of humor with fans, and this son is no different…

“There’s something at the heart of it that’s simply awful
A man who makes a living off a plastic waffle…”

Here’s a quirky video of the song with Todd from 1974!

“A Dream Goes On Forever”

The album “Todd” includes a number of his greatest songs, like this one.

Here is a great live version of the song from 1978, just Todd at a piano:

Part of Todd Rundgren’s enduring career is his ability to release timeless music, and “A Dream Goes On Forever” is just the latest example…and of course, Todd follows it with a classic cover song!

“Lord Chancellor’s Nightmare Song”

Yes, Gilbert & Sullivan are covered by Todd!

After side one, you flip the disc and get an experimental instrumental “Drunken Blue Rooster” before Todd gives you another instant classic, the gorgeous breakup ballad:

“The Last Ride”

Here is a beautiful live version of this enduring Todd classic, with Daryl Hall joining in, from the great show “Live From Daryl’s House:

Here is a story I posted about their musical friendship:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/11/12/todd-rundgren-and-daryl-halls-creative-musical-friendship-bang-on-the-drum-hula/

Todd ends side two with an instrumental jam called

“Everybody’s Going to Heaven / King Kong Reggae”

This is a musical tour de force, with a funky reggae jam…side three begins with one of Todd’s heavy metal classics:

“Number One Lowest Common Denominator”

Todd’s foray into heavy metal, begins AND ends side three! First, this great piece of grunge rock with a heavy guitar riff…

Here is Todd performing it live in 2010 – when he performed the entire album live for a DVD release!

Obviously, all Todd fans should own this live version of the album, which shows off Todd’s virtuoso approach to his music library…side three of “Todd” is also a mini-pop masterpiece as well

The gorgeous pop song “Useless Begging” is next, then the “poppy” instrumental
“Sidewalk Cafe” – and then the pop hit Todd didn’t want!

“Izzat Love?”

This is a slice of pop majesty, but trivia says that Rundgren battled with Bearsville over the label’s desire to release the song “Izzat Love?” as a single!

According to wikipedia, Todd insisted the song was “indicative of a music style he no longer wished to pursue”, and vowed to never record again should the song be released.

I’d love for anyone to tell me if they believe this to be true!

Regardless, side three ends on another “heavy metal” note, with Todd’s classic hard rocker

“Heavy Metal Kids”

Here is a live version from 2011 – the Utopia reunion show!

Thanks to Susan Raslovick for posting this on YouTube….

Side four starts off with the last instrumental – with the funny title:

“In and Out the Chakras We Go (Formerly: Shaft Goes to Outer Space)”

“Don’t You Ever Learn?”

Next up is another of Todd’s enduring classics, and once again he ponders our role in the world…

“Don’t you ever listen?
Don’t you ever learn?
The hand may find you
It’s time to take a turn
You think this life is something strange
You’re ready for another change
But don’t you ever learn?”

Here is a great live Solo performance posted by “HarryRunt danu” from what he calls The Infamous “Drunk Concert” In Sausalito, CA In 1987:

The album ends with another unique idea by Todd:

“Sons of 1984”

This great crowd sing-a-long was recorded live at Wollman Rink, in New York’s Central Park – he performs the songs here live in 2010:

The lyrics of this song are great:

“Open your eyes and see
The world I couldn’t change for you
Reach out your hand and take
The world that will belong to you

We were on our way to a better day
And the spirit was in us all
But as time went by we fell by the wayside
Maybe you’ll be the last to fall

You are the only ones
There is nobody left but you
You are the chosen ones
There is nobody else to choose

Back when I was young, my hope was strong
But the time blew it all to hell
If I thought I knew what was good for you
I would have gone and done it for myself

Worlds of tomorrow
Life without sorrow
Take it because it’s yours
Sons of 1984”

What I love about this song is how inspiring and upbeat it is, and when you hear the thousands of fans singing along, it’s really magical…and what a terrific way to end this double album!

“Todd” wasn’t as successful as “Something / Anything?” from a commercial point of view, but Todd has always followed the beat of his own drum, and this double album gives fans great pop hits, beautiful ballads, inspiring lyrics and a whole lot of rock and roll as well!

Fans have always been given great Todd music to enjoy forever, like this one as well, the spiritual “Healing”:

Here is a look at that album, which includes one of the first music videos ever shown on MTV:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/01/30/todd-rundgren-healing-hypnotic-masterpiece-one-of-the-first-mtv-music-videos/

If you want to get a sense of Todd’s musical output from he 70’s both solo and with Utopia, here is a great place to start:

A decade of live performances are captured in this box set…see them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/03/23/todd-rundgren-live-at-the-bbc-utopias-pyramid-climb-a-decade-of-brilliant-music/

Let me know what you love most about “Todd!”

Tokyo’s Lotteria Stacks Back!

I love Lotteria and I love Japan! Tokyo’s amazing burger chain Lotteria has just up’d the “Tokyo Tower Burger” by offering up this giant!

Meet The “Burger With Everything On It!”

Inventive Japanese burger chain Lotteria is now offering up their “Burger with Everything On It” – or called the “Zenbu Nose Burger” in Japanese!

As RocketNews24 reports:

“The Burger with Everything on It has four patties: regular hamburger, cheeseburger, fried shrimp, and rib. More hearty deliciousness come from bacon, sliced cheese, and a soft-boiled egg. The towering burger also checks off the food pyramid’s vegetable section with lettuce, cabbage, tomato and onion. Finally, in keeping with the burger’s magnanimously inclusive attitude, the sauce is a mix of teriyaki, regular mayonnaise, spicy mayonnaise, tartar sauce, meat sauce, and ketchup!”

Read that again as you look at this towering stack of burger!

Bravo to our friends at the terrific website “RocketNews24” for telling this story, read it all here:

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2016/04/25/lotterias-massive-burger-with-everything-on-it-challenges-japan-to-ignorefinish-it/

Of course, Lotteria isn’t new to this “towering burger stack game”:

Yes, Lotteria loves to stack a burger, and they love to let someone else do it as well…here are more of their amazing Tokyo towers….

https://johnrieber.com/2014/11/11/tokyo-burger-towers-led-zeppelin-burgers-wild-wild-meat-the-worlds-most-creative-burgers/

I also love that they sell their burger towers as USB plug-ins as well…

They love their “build a burger” ads as well…these allow you to create a massive burger tower in any way that suits you…

See more of these ads here:

Tokyo’s “Build-A-Burger!” Wacky Japanese Burger Ads! Wildest Food For Sale!

And finally, there is the Tokyo “Tower To Heaven” that you have to see to believe:

See it in all of its glory here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/04/12/behold-tokyos-tower-burger-a-mega-tower-to-heaven/

Let me know if you’d bite down on this Lotteria burger!

Plenty O’Toole: “Hi, I’m Plenty.”
James Bond: “But of course you are.”
Plenty O’Toole: “Plenty O’Toole.”
James Bond: “Named after your father perhaps?”

Time to look at one of the most beautiful “Bond Girls” who was also a member of Hollywood Royalty!

Lana Wood Was More Than “Plenty O’ Toole!”

Sex kitten Lana Wood wowed 007 fans with her portrayal of “Bond Girl” Plenty O’Toole in “Diamonds Are Forever” – without a doubt one of the more outrageous monikers in the series…

Lana Wood was a hugely successful Actress in the 60’s and 70’s, but she would perhaps be unfairly overshadowed by the superstardom of her older sister, Natalie Wood…

Lana had early stardom thanks to her role in the classic soap “Peyton Place.” A classic Hollywood sex kitten, she was approached by Hugh Hefner in 1970 to pose for Playboy.

Introducing “Plenty O’Toole!”

Those photos appeared in the April 1971 issue, along with Wood’s poetry. She was then cast as a Bond girl, “Plenty O’Toole”, in the James Bond film, “Diamonds Are Forever.”

The film introduced her with a hilarious double entendre, carried off with perfect timing by Sean Connery:

Plenty O’Toole: “Hi, I’m Plenty.”
James Bond: “But of course you are.”
Plenty O’Toole: “Plenty O’Toole.”
James Bond: “Named after your father perhaps?”

“I Didn’t Know There Was A Pool Down There…”

One of the most memorable scenes in “Diamonds Are Forever” comes when 007 is surprised by mobsters while in his room with her. She is “escorted” semi-nude from the room – in an unusual exit that includes one of the best one-liners in the entire Bond series!

Here is that memorable scene from “Diamonds Are Forever”:

Here is some great trivia: while filming the scene where Plenty O´Toole is found drowned, Wood actually had her feet loosely tied to a cement block on the bottom. Film crew members held a rope across the pool for her, with which she could lift her face out of the water to breathe between takes. The pool’s sloping bottom made the block slip into deeper water with each take. Eventually, she was submerged but was noticed by on-lookers and rescued before drowning for real. Wood, being a certified diver, took some water but remained calm during the ordeal, although she later admitted to a few “very uncomfortable moments and quite some struggling until they pulled me out.”

Over the course of her career, Wood appeared in more than twenty movies and over three hundred television shows – everything from “Bonanza” to “Mission: Impossible”, “Starsky and Hutch” to “Fantasy Island.”

Lana Wood retired from acting in 1982 to concentrate on a Producing career, but has since returned to acting in a number of low-budget films since 2008.

Wood wrote a memoir, “Natalie, A Memoir by Her Sister” in 1984. Her many memorable Hollywood moments have been unfairly neglected because of the tragedy surrounding her sister, but for me, she will always be one of the most beautiful Bond girls of all time!

The James Bond series is full of classic “Bond girls”, including the first – Ursula Andress!

Ursula “Undress!”

yes, that was her nickname! Read more about the first-ever Bond girl who set a very high standard here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/03/28/ursula-andress-or-undress-007s-first-bond-girl-60s-sex-kitten-frolicked-with-nature/

Sean Connery certainly had some of the most beautiful family co-stars of all:

Claudine Auger was the Bond girl in “Thunderball”, and she went on to star in a series of great Italian thrillers…see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/12/18/sexiest-bond-girl-ever-sex-kitten-claudine-auger-james-bond-and-giallo-horror/

Let me know who your favorite Bond girl was!

Talk About A Tough Lady!

Dressed fully in black and carrying a sharp knife, this is one of the greatest action heroes that America’s NEVER HEARD OF!

Time to share a “J-sploitation” film series that combines action, violence and “women in prison” genres to terrific effect!

This classic Japanese exploitation series follows the adventures of Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion!

“Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion!”

Japanese star Meiko Kaji is Scorpion, and as you can imagine, the movie follows her travails inside a prison!

Check out the great trailer!

Here’s how one website described it:

“Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion contains everything you will find in the remainder of the series, so if you don’t like what you see, venture no further. We are talking soft-core couplings, lesbianism, slapstick prison wardens administering gleeful punishment and lots and lots of blood, usually shooting out jet-stream style from freshly severed limbs. But, seriously, what’s not to like about that?”

“Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41!”

As much fun as “Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion” is, it’s just the beginning!

The second film in the series is considered by many to be the definitive entry. In “Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41” has our heroine recaptured and placed in solitary confinement, before she plans an escape through the bowels of the prison – with six other inmates in tow!

Here is the trailer:

One website claimed that “Jailhouse 41” has even more nudity, gratuitous sadism, acid-tinged fantasy sequences – plus musical numbers and extreme martial arts as well!

Scorpion Gets “Armed!”

Next up is the third film in the series – “Female Prisoner 701 Scorpion: Beast Stable” – as our heroine is free but on the run from the law again…

Here is the classic trailer for the film, which includes her running with a severed arm!

Yes, A SEVERED ARM!

This is wildly inventive moviemaking, operating under the classic exploitation rules: these movies must feature lots of action, nudity, and over-the-top mayhem!

A Final “Grudge!”

The final film in the series, “Female Prisoner Scorpion #701: Grudge Song” has a different Director, and shows a gentler side of our Heroine…and if you want to see all four in all-new remastered editions with tons of great extras, check this out!

Arrow Video is releasing a new blu-ray box set with all four films and tons of great extras, so you can dive into the deep end of the “J-sploitation” pool!

Japanese “pinky” films were wildly popular in the 1970’s, and are legendary for their portrayal of “tough girls” in dangerous situations:

You can see some of the best of the genre here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/05/31/mutant-girls-pinky-violence-sex-fury-and-lady-snowblood-too-japanese-sexploitation-lives/

Even though these films are from the 70’s, the modern era of cinema in Japan includes the genre of “J-sploitation” as well!

One of the more recent films had a very controversial “jiggle” promo, which you can see here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/11/11/the-bikini-game-controversial-japanese-jiggle-movie-promo-new-j-sploitation-film/

The genre is also tongue in cheek, or in this case….

Yes, “Zombie Ass: Toilet Of The Dead” is a classic example of the “J-sploitation” genre, see it here!

https://johnrieber.com/2012/11/06/zombie-ass-yes-japans-wacky-cinema-is-calling-what-the/

You can also check out a ton of great new japanese horror films as well:

This is an amazing genre of film, see the best here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/10/13/yakuza-zombies-bloody-asian-halloween-horror-2015-shocking-japanese-exploitation/

Leave me a message and let me know if you’ve seen any of the “Scorpion” films!

“I think most bands on tour are on the run.”

With these words, Paul McCartney sets the stage for perhaps his greatest album ever – “Band On The Run” – a brilliant album that was as dramatic behind the scenes as the cover suggests!

In 2005, Paul McCartney released his album “Chaos & Creation In The Backyard”, but it was more than 40 years earlier that he released an album that was ALL chaos in the midst of its creation!

First, let’s set the stage for “Band On The Run”:

McCartney’s self-titled solo debut marked the end of The Beatles…here are stories behind the release of this album:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/03/23/paul-mccartneys-simple-classic-mccartney-pauls-solo-masterpiece-rises-from-the-ashes-of-the-beatles/

Next up for McCartney was the only album credited to both him and Linda:

This was a period of heavy fighting between the Fab Four, especially Paul and John Lennon – here are those stories:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/08/20/macca-ram-on-paul-mccartneys-masterpiece-john-lennons-fury-a-beatles-c-c-c-catfight/

Paul then decided to form a new band, Wings:

Their first release was roundly panned by critics and many fans – here is the story of “Wild Life”:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/02/13/paul-mccartneys-wild-life-the-disastrous-debut-of-wings-mccartneys-plea-to-john-lennon/

Paul and his band spent a lot of time on the road, and then released this album:

Many of the songs from “Red Rose Speedway” were actually recorded during the “RAM” sessions…read about that here:

Paul McCartney’s Brilliant “RAM 2!” Wings Soar With “Red Rose Speedway!”

The album included the smash single “My Love”, and the band seemed poised for greatness…until some “chaos” interrupted the “creation”…

As you can see from the back cover, Wings had shrunk – and there is where the amazing story of “Band On The Run” begins…

“Wings” Over Nigeria!

As Wings prepared to record their third album tougher, McCartney asked his record label EMI for a list of all their international recording studios. He selected Nigeria – thinking Africa would be an exotic place to make music. The band began rehearsals in Scotland – Wings were McCartney and Linda, ex-Moody Blues guitarist and pianist Denny Laine, Henry McCullough on lead guitar, and Denny Seiwell on drums.

Unfortunately, things weren’t going well and during one rehearsal, McCullough and McCartney argued, and McCullough quit. Then, Seiwell left a week later, the night before the band was set to fly to Nigeria.

Wings were no more!

Paul’s “Solo” Wings Album!

At that point, things were dire. As McCartney told Word magazine in 2005:

“I was on drums and guitar a lot, mainly because the drummer decided to leave the group the night before and one of the guitar players decided not to come! So we got that solo element into an otherwise ‘produced’ album.”

This left just the core of the band – Paul, Linda and Denny Laine – to record in Lagos, assisted by former Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick. McCartney assumed that Lagos, Nigeria would be a glamorous location where he and the band could lounge on the beach all day and record at night – but boy was he wrong!

McCartney discovered that the studio was awful, and Nigeria was incredibly dangerous and unstable – in fact, Paul and Linda were robbed at knife-point, and a bag with unfinished song lyrics and demo tapes was taken! Talk about chaos!

Still, Paul maintained his positive approach – in fact, look at this original promotional video that McCartney later included on the deluxe remastered album:

The Chaos That Created “Band On The Run!”

So the recording of the album was dangerous, the band was in disarray, and “Band On The Run” is more of a solo album that team effort, which leads to this question: just HOW good is this album?

Shortly after the album was released, McCartney told Melody Maker:

“The basic idea about the band on the run is a kind of prison escape. At the beginning of the album the guy is stuck inside four walls, and eventually breaks out. There is a thread, but it’s not a concept album.”

Asked if this was a reference to Wings escaping from The Beatles, he replied: “Sort of – yeah. I think most bands on tour are on the run.”

Here is the pop masterpiece that is “Band On The Run”.

Here are a newly formed Wings performing the title track live from their 1976 tour:

The title track is one of rock’s all-time greatest songs, and then Paul launches into one of his greatest crowd-pleasing rockers:

“Jet”

Here is a fun promotional video for the song:

The gorgeous ballad “Bluebird” is next, then the fun, upbeat pop song “Mrs. Vandebilt” – so far, side one of “Band On The Run” is flawless, and the last song is no different:

“Let Me Roll It” was considered McCartney’s answer back to John Lennon’s caustic “How Do You Sleep?” – but in an interview with Clash magazine in 2010, McCartney cleared that up:

“‘Let Me Roll It’ wasn’t to John, it was just in the style that we did with The Beatles that John was particularly known for. It was really actually the use of the echo. It was one of those: ‘You’re not going to use echo just cos John used it?’ I don’t think so. To tell you the truth, that was more [about] rolling a joint. That was the double meaning there: ‘let me roll it to you.’ That was more at the back of mind than anything else. ‘Dear Friend,’ that was very much ‘let’s be friends’ to John.”

Here is a great live version of the song, with a much older McCartney still playing great guitar:

Side two continues to deliver great songs:

“Mamunia” is a gentle, upbeat pop song, with a vibe that could feel a bit “African” – then next is the mid-tempo pop song turned mini-rocker “No Words” – McCartney’s songwriting is top notch!

Bring On “Helen Wheels!”

The party rocker “Helen Wheels” was next, the hardest rocking song on the album – with a “Get Back” vibe – but at that time the song was only included on the US release!

Here is the band’s fun promotional video – with Paul playing almost all of the instruments!

“Picasso’s Last Words (Drink to Me)” was next, and then the album climaxed with one of Paul’s greatest rock songs:

“Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five” is the final track, which build to a Beatles-like crescendo before completing a 360 turn back to the title track…here’s the promotional video that was included in the album’s special edition:

So, from start to finish, “Band On The Run” is a masterpiece.

And of course, so is the album cover:

The album cover shows Paul, Linda and Denny plus six other well-known people dressed as convicts caught in the spotlight of a prison searchlight. Here is whose on the cover: Michael Parkinson, British Talk Show Host; British Actor and Comedian Kenny Lynch; the great Actor James Coburn; British Politician Clement Freud; Legendary Actor Christopher Lee, and John Conteh, a boxer who later became World Light-Heavyweight champion.

“Band On The Run” was nominated for Album Of The Year, and won Grammys for Engineering by Geoff Emerick, and best pop performance for duo or group….

“Band On The Run” Gets Even Better!

In 2000, Q magazine placed it at number 75 in its list of the “100 Greatest British Albums Ever”. In 2012, Band on the Run was voted 418th on Rolling Stone’s revised list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

A contemporary review by Jon Landau in Rolling Stone described the album as “with the possible exception of John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band, the finest record yet released by any of the four musicians who were once called the Beatles”.

The great McCartney collection of reissues gives fans a ton of great extras, including live versions of the songs, promotional videos, and a few extra cuts as well!

Let me know what you love best about McCartney’s chaotic masterpiece!

Time For Some “Truth!”

I love documentaries. They can be deadly serious or comically absurd – they can be lurid, spiritual, political and everything in between – here are ten examples of great documentaries you need to see!

“Roger and Me”!

With the recent water events in Flint, Michigan, Michael Moore’s first documentary is even more prescient. He looks at the decline of his hometown, a decline that helped lead to the current crisis that exists today.

Here is the trailer for what many consider to be “The Godfather” of modern docus, “Roger And Me”:

Wow, time flies – it was more than 25 years ago when this “in your face” documentary was considered radical! Moore told the story of the decline of his hometown Flint, Michigan – and his attempts to meet with Ford’s Chairman Roger Smith.

What he did was usher in a new era of non-fictional storytelling, leading to some of these I want to share!

Workingman’s Death!

Some of the world’s most dangerous jobs are highlighted in this compelling documentary. These professions are virtually unknown to most people – like sulfur mining…

The filmmaker’s style allows us a voyeuristic look at the lives of these workers…like these miners who risk their lives to slide back into abandoned crevices where small chunks of leftover coal may still cling to the abandoned walls…

This is an incredible work of art, and the late Documentary filmmaker Michael Glawogger also made a film that looked at the world of prostitution:

You can read more about these compelling films by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/11/22/searing-expose-docs-workingmans-death-whores-glory-brilliant-documentaries-showcase-life-on-the-edge/

Sometimes, an interesting story turns into something much bigger as the filmmaker rolls the camera:

“My Kid Could Paint That!”

This heartbreaking documentary is about a child prodigy – or not. The filmmakers began the project when they heard about a four-year-old girl with special artistic abilities…but then it turned into a much more troubling story.

This story is so compelling – and so many questions are still unanswered – that is the power of the documentary – to reveal truths – and yet so sad…you can read more about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/03/25/killer-fish-kids-who-paint-and-mid-west-horror-best-documentaries-pt-1/

Now, to something that you would think is amazingly harsh, yet is in fact so “Happy!”

Celebrating The Harsh World Of “Happy People!”

Director Werner Herzog, who has made a number of terrific documentaries like “Grizzly Man”, took a long-form Russian TV documentary and turned it into a compelling two-hour journey to Siberia!

It is some of the most unforgiving land on earth, but the people there are happy! See more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/07/18/into-the-wild-siberias-happy-people-werner-herzogs-new-documentary/

And if you want to bring a smile to your face, have I got a joke for you…

America’s Funniest People Tell The World’s Filthiest Joke! Meet “The Aristocrats!”

The history of the world’s filthiest joke is hilariously profane, and amazingly insightful! Penn and Teller allow some of the world’s greatest comics to tell one joke – a legendary joke in the world of comedy – and each re-telling gets more and more obscene – which is the point of the joke!

The Aristocrats – 2005

Comedy veterans and Magicians Penn and Teller, along with Comedian Paul Provenza capitalize on their insider status and invite over 100 of their closest friends–who happen to be some of the biggest names in entertainment, from George Carlin, Whoopi Goldberg and Drew Carey to Gilbert Gottfried, Bob Saget, Paul Reiser and Sarah Silverman–to reminisce, analyze, deconstruct and deliver their own versions of the world’s dirtiest joke, an old burlesque too extreme to be performed in public, called “The Aristocrats.”

George Carlin: The joke leads me down one path and then it switches the path on me suddenly and hits me with a hammer. It’s just, “Here we go folks.”

The terrific website IMDB has some interesting trivia about the joke: “This joke has been used by comedians for years as a mental stretching exercise. They would tell the joke to each other as a warm up for their acts. While the setup and punchline remain the same throughout, the middle section, describing the actual family act, is always varied to get the juices going by throwing in the most they can and keeping it funny. There are stories of parties where performers will jam and keep it going for almost an hour.”

The late Robin Williams does a variation of the joke in the film, as does Princess Leia, whose Mom is Debbie Reynolds…who isn’t sacred for the sake of the joke…

Carrie Fisher: “My mother was a golden shower queen.”

According to his biography, “I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not”, Chevy Chase filmed a version of the joke as well. However, at the last second he decided not to sign the release form as he was afraid of what his daughters would think of the joke’s content.

The highlight is when the film ends with Bob Saget’s version of the joke – the most obscene, rambling and hilarious take on it imaginable…hilarious, profane, and insightful – how can you argue that?

And if profane is your thing…

Shed Some Clothes And Get Down With Some “American Swing!”

New York in the 70’s was a time of sex, drugs and swingers, and for awhile, there was actually a club that allowed casual sex among its members!

If you’ve never heard of “Plato’s Retreat”, it’s exactly the kind of place that Ted Cruz was railing against – and it was legal!

“American Swing” is a fascinating document of a long-lost time – as told by the people who partied there…see it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/04/06/how-can-i-offend-you-best-documentaries-pt-2/

Of course, the subject of sex is always a big seller – and here is an amazing look at the sexiest moments in cinema history:

“That’s Sexploitation” is a wild romp through the annals of grind house cinema, courtesy of Something Weird Video…read more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/04/20/thats-sexploitation-terrific-documentary-captures-the-seedy-majesty-of-grindhouse-cinema/

I know, you are getting a bit worked up right now…if you want a mellow change of pace, dig into the story of one of the greatest bands in the world:

Not Such A “Peaceful Easy Feeling!” It’s The History Of The Eagles!

A “warts and all” documentary, made all the more powerful because the members of the band – old and new – took part. Their brutal honesty, along with amazing archival material the band collected from day one, gives viewers a riveting inside look at one of America’s most beloved bands.

Fans were stunned by the recent death of Glenn Frey, who comes across as a very driven member of the band…this documentary lasts over four hours and digs into all the professional and personal conflicts in the band…

You can read more about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/10/04/eagles-no-peaceful-easy-feeling-here-just-heartache-tonight/

While we are on the subject of music, have you met’s rock’s craziest drummer?

“Beware” Of Rock’s Wildest Drummer!

Ginger Baker was the drummer in Cream, and has had one of the craziest lives imaginable, and one movie captures it all!

“Beware” is right, and if you want to know why, click here!

https://johnrieber.com/2015/01/13/beware-of-mr-baker-brilliant-ginger-baker-documentary-creams-drummer-throws-down/

As someone who loves to travel, I find the climate change debate sad – politics shouldn’t enter into the discussion, when there are entire countries at risk…

A Rising Political Tide! “The Island President!”

As the ocean levels rise, entire nations are at risk. Here is the inspiring story of a President who wouldn’t let his country drown due to inaction…

These islands will be underwater within our lifetime – unless something is done…and one courageous President allowed cameras to follow him as he tries to tell the world what lies ahead…

This is one of my favorite documentaries of all, read more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/05/07/the-island-president-a-tragic-compelling-documentary-a-nation-underwater/

There you have it – some of my favorite documentaries…leave a note to tell me your favorite!

The “Outlaw” Eagles!

It’s hard to believe, but the second Eagles album bombed when it was released – but is now considered a seminal part of the band’s history!

For a time in the 70’s, rock’n’roll bands were the new “Wild West Outlaws.” For The Eagles, that inspired them to create an album that tied life in a rock band to life in the “wild west” – an ode to the “outlaw” in all of us – and when it was released, “Desperado” bombed!

20 Dec 1972, USA — Members of the rock band The Eagles are dressed up in cowboy costumes for their album photo shoot. From left to right: Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, Randy Meisner, and Glenn Frey. — Image by © Henry Diltz/CORBIS

The “Desperado” Debacle!

Here is the setup to the release of “Desperado” in 1973. The Eagles had released their debut album a year earlier, and it was an immediate success for the new band, hitting No. 22 on the charts.

Their debut album included three hit singles: “Peaceful Easy Feeling” – which reached #22, “Take It Easy” just missed the top ten at No. 12, and “Witchy Woman” was a #9 hit – and the band was credited for the emergence of the “Southern California sound.”

The future looked bright for Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner!

The Making Of “Desperado!”

The Eagles entered the studio with an idea: they would write a concept album based on the themes of the Old West. The band members are featured on the album’s cover dressed like an outlaw gang, and the songs touched on the concept of rockers as “outlaws”, always on the run.

Desperado remains the only Eagles album where the band members appear on the front cover! Here is a look at the criminally overlooked Eagles album, “Desperado”:

The album starts with “Doolin’ Dalton” – setting the scene for the album…

“They were duelin’, Doolin-Dalton
High or low, it was the same
Easy money and faithless women
Red-eye whiskey for the pain
Go down, Bill Dalton, it must be God’s will,
Two brothers lyin’ dead in Coffeyville
Two voices call to you from where they stood
Lay down your law books now
They’re no damn good
Better keep on movin’, Doolin-Dalton
‘Til your shadow sets you free
If you’re fast, and if you’re lucky
You will never see that hangin’ tree”

Here is a beautiful live version, which begins with Glenn Frey playing a wailing harmonica…this clip also includes the finale of the album as well…

“Twenty One” is next, an ode to youth and freedom…

“Twenty-one and strong as I can be
I know what freedom means to me
And I can’t give the reason why
I should ever want to die”

“Out Of Control”

This is the hardest-edged rocker on the album – the story of a band of outlaws riding into town and looking for trouble……

“Oh my, don’t the sky look spacious
With the stars all shinin’ down
Well, I can hear the night wind howlin’
It’s a high and lonesome sound
And I ain’t had a woman in so long
I can’t feed my starvin soul
Come on, saddle up, boys, we’re gonna ride into town
We’re gonna get a little out of control”

“Tequila Sunrise”

Next up is one of the most well-known songs the band ever recorded…

Here is a beautiful live version:

Shockingly, this song wasn’t a hit! In fact, it only got to #64 on the charts! It’s hard to understand how this classic Eagles song didn’t became a huge hit single when it was released!

“Desperado” was next, the title track on the album…and one of their most beautiful songs ever:

“Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses?
You been out ridin’ fences for so long now
Oh, you’re a hard one
I know that you got your reasons
These things that are pleasin’ you
Can hurt you somehow”

While this is one of their most recognizable songs, it wasn’t even released as a single!

Here they are performing this live – from their farewell tour in 2013:

“Certain Kind Of Fool”

Side two begins with “Certain Kind Of Fool”, and here is a live version from that era, which begins with Glenn Frey discussing their “outlaw album”, and how they needed a song explaining how they became outlaws….here you go:

As you can see from this vintage billboard, the band was selling this album as their ode to the wild west, and the next song played it up big:

“Outlaw Man”

Here are the opening lyrics to the song:

“I am an Outlaw, I was born an Outlaw’s son
The highway is my legacy
On the highway I will run
In one hand I’ve a Bible
In the other I’ve got a gun
Well, don’ you know me, I’m the man who won

[Chorus]
Woman don’t try to love me
Don’t try to understand
A life upon the road
Is the life of an outlaw man”

Here is a terrific live version from 1976:

As you can see in the photo, the life of an outlaw doesn’t last long – and that is Jackson Brown to the far left on the ground as well…the songs on “Desperado” told a story, and were terrific. “Outlaw Man’ was just the kind of hard-edged rock that Frey was pushing the band toward…but there is another, softer side to the album as well…

“Whatever Happened To Saturday Night?”

The next song on the album makes use of the band’s terrific harmonies. When the band went on their “History Of The Eagles” tour, Frey and Henley started the show sitting alone on stools at the front of the stage, singing the gorgeous song “Saturday Night”.

Here is a terrific live version from 1973:

Thanks to “Meisnettes – Randy Meisner Fans” on YouTube for posting this and the “Certain Kind Of Fool” and “Outlaw Man” clips…follow them for a lot of great Meisner moments!

I loved seeing Henly and Frey harmonize on “Saturday Night”, then joined onstage by Bernie Leadon! Here is my review of the “History” tour, with clips from several of their live performances:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/09/21/history-of-the-eagles-amazing-concert-old-friends-return/

Up next on the album was “Bitter Creek”, written and sung by Bernie Leadon:

Leadon wrote about a band of outlaws looking for one last score…because there is always “all that money, no more running'”…

“We’re gonna hit the road for one last time
We can walk right in and steal ’em blind
All that money
No more runnin’
I can’t wait to see the old man’s face
When I win the race
Bitter creek”

The album ends with a reprise of “Doolin’ Dalton” that segues into an encore of “Desperado”…

Here is a great live version by the band…appears to be around the time of the “Hell Freezes Over” tour…

So, with a hot young band, great songs like “Tequila Sunrise” and “Desperado”, and the popularity of the southern california sound, why didn’t fans buy the album? It took more than a year for “Desperado” to be certified gold, and a full decade to go platinum!

What went wrong? Concept albums are notoriously difficult to market – perhaps the band focused too much on the “outlaw” concept…and did they need a bigger hit single out of the gate?

Maybe these guys didn’t look as accessible as they did on the first album…or the music was too soft, without a big pop hit like “Witchy Woman” or “Take It Easy”…it’s easy to have 20/20 hindsight, but there was some reason the music didn’t catch on at the time…for whatever reason, the album was a bomb, and the band needed to come up with a new plan!

Goodbye Glyn, Hello Don!

And a new plan it was – out with Producer Glyn Johns and in with new Eagles Guitarist Don Felder! Glenn Freiy wanted a sound that had more “rock and roll” to it. And that they got! Read all about the smash hit “On The Border” here!

https://johnrieber.com/2016/03/14/on-the-border-the-eagles-say-hello-to-don-felder-goodbye-to-glyn-johns-don-henleys-brilliant-1-best-of-my-love/

Leave me a message – let me know why you think “Desperado” didn’t connect with fans at the time!

PUT THE BLOODY KNIFE DOWN. Time To Talk More “Giallo!”

If you don’t know about the classic Italian “giallo” genre of film shockers, you are missing some of the most suspenseful thrillers ever committed to bloody celluloid!

“Giallos” are Italy’s version of “pulp fiction” – lurid thrillers with plenty of sex and violence – but they are also some of the best mystery films ever made!

Oh, they also have some of the wildest titles of all time: like “A Lizard In A Woman’s Skin” for one, and what about this subtle title?

The genre of Italian “giallo” film has resulted in some cinematic classics such as “Suspiria” and “Four Flies On Dead Velvet” – and I will share more about those in a moment….but first, time to explore a few more classics of the genre – starting with this classic title:

“Your Vice Is A Locked Room And Only I Have The Key!”

This cult classic is loosely based on Edgar Allan Poe’s classic tale “The Black Cat”, and is from director Sergio Martino – who also made the classic thriller “Torso”!

This is a classic cult film that you can read more about here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/06/06/psycho-go-go-dancers-delinquent-schoolgirls-and-candy-snatchers-more-70s-grindhouse/

But now, back to “Your Vice Is A Locked Room!”

First, here is an international trailer, but don’t worry: it’s all scenes and images from the film with a classic 70’s giallo soundtrack!

Well, that poster doesn’t leave much to the imagination, does it?

Here’s a brief synopsis: Oliviero is an abrasive drunk who amuses himself by holding drunken orgies at his grand country manor – and no surprise, his wife, played by Actress Anita Strindberg, doesn’t like it much!

Soon, a series of murders rocks Oliviero’s sordid world….and here’s a great fact thanks to IMDB: the title is a reference to Sergio Martino’s earlier giallo “”The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh”, in which the same phrase appears in a mysterious note apparently sent by a killer!

So, are you getting an idea of just how entertaining and twisted this genre is? And believe me when I tell you – they are very entertaining!

Perhaps the most well-known Giallo Director is the legendary Dario Argento:

Argento’s masterpiece is “Suspiria” starring Jessica Harper, best known for her starring role in Brian DePalma’s “Phantom Of The Paradise”…but Argeno also made such great thriller as “Tenebrae”-

You can read all about his great movies by clicking on my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/01/29/dario-argentos-bloody-masterpiece-tenebrae-cult-giallo-goes-blu/

Some very well known movie stars appeared in these films – perhaps none more beautiful than “Bond Girl” Claudine Auger:

Aside from starring alongside Sean Connery in “Thunderbolt”, she starred in a classic “giallo” as well…see it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/12/18/sexiest-bond-girl-ever-sex-kitten-claudine-auger-james-bond-and-giallo-horror/

One of the genre’s most controversial films was this classic – with an equally classic title:

“A Lizard In A Woman’s Skin” ended up in court! Click here to find out why the Director almost ended up in prison!

https://johnrieber.com/2015/10/15/a-lizard-in-a-womans-skin-halloweens-controversial-giallo-on-trial-slithering-italian-sex-shockers/

As you can see, it’s a movie category with plenty of controversy…another great Director was Lucio Fulci, and yes, he had some wacky film titles too!

Yes, the film “Don’t Torture A Duckling” is a classic Giallo shocker! Read more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/10/09/halloween-giallo-masters-agentos-animal-trilogy-fulcis-tortured-ducklings-italian-pulp-fiction/

And finally, here is a title that doesn’t beat around the bush:

“Strip Nude For Your Killer” may sound like it’s pandering, and – well, it is! But it’s still a great mystery thriller, and you can read more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/07/09/time-to-strip-nude-four-flies-and-baba-yaga-to-you-yes-its-classic-italian-giallo/

Let me know which of these classic “Giallos” you’ve watched!

Some of the catchiest pop songs of the late 60’s and early 70’s were written by one person, the terrific Singer/Songwriter Laura Nyro:

Laura Nyro’s Hit Singles For Others!

Nyro released a number of great album – and I wanted to look at some of her best songs, the ones that were smash hits for other Artists!

Of course, Laura had her own successful recording career, with terrific hit albums like these:

SONY DSC

Laura’s At The Top Of The Charts!

Laura had many songs in the top ten, including a chart-topping #1 smash, because Nyro’s biggest hits were for other Artists! I enjoy hearing the differences between Laura’s version and the cover version by others, especially when that “cover” is by Barbra Streisand…

Barbra’s “Stoney End!”

Nyro wrote it, Babs made it the title of her album, and the song was a big hit!

Here is the audio-only version from Nyro, which was on her debut album, “More Than A New Discovery” in 1966, then re-released as just “Laura Nyro” in 1969:

Streisand’s Top Ten Hit!

Barbra Streisand released her single version, which went to #6 on the charts…

Here is a short snippet of the song, performed in concert by Babs:

Finally, here is a full-length live performance by Barbra, which goes right into “The Way We Were”…

Laura’s incredible debut album included many songs that would become hits for other artists, including several for one pop ensemble!

Time To Enter “The 5th Dimension!”

The pop group “The 5th Dimension” had a string of big hits in the late 60’s and early 70’s. The five original members were Billy Davis, Jr., Florence LaRue, Marilyn McCoo, LaMonte McLemore, and Ron Townson.

And who was responsible for most of them? Laura Nyro!

Laura Nyro’s #1 Smash Hit!

The 5th Dimension went to the top of the charts with the #1 single “Wedding Bell Blues”, which Laura also sang on an album – but their rocketed to #1!

Here is a clip of the group performing the song on TV – as a skit!

Thanks to “danbanrock1” for posting YouTube!

I personally love this ad with Laura for the song – sorry, I couldn’t find a larger version:

Laura almost single-handedly made The 5th Dimension stars. The group also had hits with the Nyro songs “Stoned Soul Picnic”, “Blowing Away”, “Sweet Blindness” and “Save the Country”…

Thanks again to “danbanrock1”, here is the group performing “Stoned Soul Picnic”, which made it to #3 on the pop charts in 1968:

The group named their album after the song, and Nyro’s hit “Sweet Blindness” was also on the album…

Blood, Sweat & Laura!

The rock group “Blood, Sweat & Tears” had one of their biggest hits thanks to Laura – the band went all the way to #2 on the charts with Nyro’s classic song “And When I Die”.

Here’s a vintage clip of the band performing the song live on TV:

One of my favorite names for a group is this one:

So Cold It’s A “Three Dog Night!”

Yep, that’s where the band’s name came from, a folk tale that you cuddled with your dogs on cold nights!

The group hit the top ten in 1969 with Laura’s quirky song “Eli’s Comin” –

Here’s the band performing the song in concert:

Three Dog Night stripped the song down to its rock essence, while Nyro makes the song much funkier and soulful. Laura’s version is included on her brilliant album, “Eli & The Thirteenth Confession”.

So there you go, a look at some of Laura’s songs that were smash hits for other Artists…some were faithful to Laura’s original version, which some – yes you Three Dog Night – dramatically changed them – it’s great to have both to listen to and compare!

A recent tribute album brought more of her great songs back:

Billy Childs won a Grammy for his great tribute album – see some videos from it here:

Re-Imagining Laura Nyro! A Brilliant “Map To The Treasure”! Laura Nyro’s Beautiful Tribute!

I have posted other stories about Laura as well, such as her legendary audition for music mogul Clive Davis – in the dark!

The music legend recounts that story in his memoir – read about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/06/03/laura-nyros-legendary-audition-for-music-mogul-clive-davis-janis-joplins-jealousy/

Laura Nyro influenced many Artists, particularly my favorite, Todd Rundgren:

Read about their musical friendship, and listen to the song he wrote about here, by clicking on my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/10/25/brilliant-laura-nyro-todd-rundgrens-muse-their-beautiful-musical-history-together/

Finally, I also posted about one of the most traumatic music moments in Laura’s career:

A new blu-ray answers the question: was Laura booed off the stage at th legendary Monterey Pop festival? Read about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/04/15/laura-nyros-brilliant-monterey-pop-performance-and-legendary-musical-myth/

Leave a comment and let me know who performed Laura’s song best!

Welcome To Cannes 2016!

Located in the south of France, on the fabled French Riviera, Cannes is one of the most beautiful spots on earth! And for two weeks a year, is is also the site of the world’s most glamorous film festival. Need proof?

Um, well maybe it’s not ALL glamour, but it IS full of stars, like the year Arnold Schwarzenegger showed up to show off his new movie!

The 69th annual Cannes Film Festival runs from May 11-22, and legendary “Mad Max: Fury Road” Director George Miller is the President of the Jury. Woody Allen’s new film “Café Society” will open the festival.

Joan and Melissa Rivers Storm Cannes!

I had my own legendary Comedian in Cannes when I took Joan and Melissa Rivers to the south of France to film a “Cannes Fashion Review!”

Here is the first of my favorite Cannes experiences!

I shot with Joan and Melissa in Cannes twice, and they were so much fun to film with! You can read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/05/12/melissa-rivers-new-memoir-joan-rivers-storms-cannes-joan-and-melissas-hilarious-cannes-fashion-review/

Joan was a consummate professional, and Melissa co-hosted and produced the show as well – one of my all-time favorite TV experiences.

Before Joan, I was able to film with another Superstar in Cannes – which is my next great Cannes experience:

Castner Takes On “Ah-nuld!”

Yes, that’s my great E! Host Michael Castner interviewing Arnold Schwarzenegger about the new “Planet Hollywood” restaurant chain he was opening with Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis!

The best part of this shoot was watching Arnold chastise his Publicist for letting us talk to him beyond our allotted time!

You can see our entire “Ah-nuld” encounter here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/05/14/cannes-2014-my-classic-arnold-schwarzenegger-encounter-big-star-planet-hollywood-shenanigans/

My travels around the world with “Planet Hollywood” included another Cannes connection as well:

Jenna Jameson’s “Planet Hollywood” Adventure!

My wife Alex and I discovered legendary Adult Actress Jenna Jameson in Cannes, and she hosted several segments for E! She was great to work with, and we will always remember it as one of our great Cannes experiences! Jenna was also my Host for the openings of Planet Hollywood in Singapore and Bangkok, where she got to interview Arnold’s other “PH” partners!

This trip was full of wacky encounters, which you can read here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/12/31/wild-on-jenna-jameson-my-worldwide-jenna-adventure-starring-bruce-willis-and-sylvester-stallone/

My next Cannes experience was “royal” – I got to hang out with Prince Albert of Monaco!

Yes, that’s me talking to Alex in the foreground, and Prince Albert surrounded by Hawaiian Tropics girls in the back…I met him and it was a hilarious night for many reasons….check it out here:

My Night With Prince Albert of Monaco! More Cannes Cannes Memories!

One of the best parts of Cannes is when you run into a star…as this photo I took of Jack Nicholson proves – sometimes they just show up above you!

I turned, saw him hovering, and snapped…not my best shot ever, but hey – IT’S JACK NICHOLSON!

My next memorable Cannes experience involved the “Muscles From Brussels!”

Alex and a colleague watch as Michael Castner interviewed Jean-Claude Van Damme at the legendary Hotel du Cap…I was lucky enough to hang out with JCVD many times while I was at E!, and you can see some of it here:

Jean-Claude’s Amazing Car Ad! “JCVD” Movie Rocks! Hanging In Cannes With Van Damme!

All this talk of celebrities in Cannes has made me hungry, and Cannes offers up a great “Canneswich!”

The sandwiches in Cannes were great, see the recipe here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/04/29/cannes-french-riviera-charm-soup-de-poisson-cannes-sandwiches/

Finally, one of my best Cannes encounters involved the late Robin Williams:

Robin Williams was incredibly gracious, warm and funny…you can read about my encounter here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/08/12/rip-robin-williams-class-act-a-cannes-encounter/

I hope you enjoyed my trip to the south of France!

Time To Celebrate All That Is Delicious Between Two Buns!

Did you happen to forget that May is “National Burger Month?” Well, I sure didn’t! And to show you how much I love this national month of celebration, here are five of my favorite burgers of all time!

First, let’s take a moment to respect the mighty burger…sure, you can stack it to the moon and back again, but at the end of the day, a perfect burger looks like this:

I have eaten many burgers like this one – and perfection between two buns always begin with ingredients that are fresh, perfectly balanced, and just a bit – let’s say “messy”:

To celebrate “National Burger Month”, I wanted to showcase five examples of ingenuity, imagination and great taste in the preparation of a delicious burger – and I will begin with a new, imaginative way to look at what a burger is:

Behold The “Ramen Burger!”

Yes, I ate this thing of beauty in LA’s Koreatown district…a beautiful “ramen burger”, where the bun is ramen noodles! You see, the bun is always an afterthought – but this burger takes that bun to a whole new level!

Of course, an incredible burger like this must have amazing side dishes – like “seaweed fries!” You heard right – these fries are seasoned with salty seaweed!

It’s a unique way to say “thank you” to the burger gods…see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/02/19/l-a-s-ramen-burger-seaweed-fries-octopus-balls-ramen-burgers-galore/

Because we are celebrating creativity, here is another burger that I love – a burger that comes in an edible wrapper!

With the summer Olympics almost here, why not head to Brazil for a burger that comes wrapped in a wrapper – that you eat! Imagine having a burger that offers a crunchy shell – an edible wrapper that makes the burger inside a thing of beauty!

I would give anything to be able to bite down on this – and you can as well, right here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/12/20/brazils-edible-burger-wrappers-go-brazil-go/

While we are overseas, let’s take a look at a burger that will never be “dry” – how can it be when it’s a “Wet Burger!”

Yes, in Japan they offer a “wet” burger – the bun is soaked in sauce – it’s anyone’s guess why they do this, but I would try it! See how it is prepared here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/09/10/wild-bacon-ramen-okonomiyaki-pizzas-hot-and-wet-burgers-japanese-fast-food-madness/

One of my favorite burgers pays homage to one of America’s most taken for granted buyers…the Big Mac:

Yes, the “Big Mac” is “two all beef patties, special sauce lettuce cheese pickles onions on a sesame seed bun” – we all know the chant…but in Chicago, they pay homage to the Big Mac in a very unique way:

Behold The “Big Mack Daddy!”

Big & Little’s came up with their “homage” to the Big Mac – with the “Big Mack Daddy!” This baby offers up all of the ingredients, but they do it in a super-sized way!

My friend Chris bit down on a “Big Mack Daddy” and didn’t complain at all – see the recipe here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/10/22/big-n-littles-rocks-the-big-mack-daddy-chicagos-best-burger-bite-on/

Finally, a burger is a burger, but THIS is a masterpiece:

The “Mac’n’Cheeseburger”!

Yes, it’s a burger topped with bacon – and mac’n’cheese! See the recipe here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/02/23/bacon-mac-n-cheese-corn-dogs-wild-macncheese-bacon-burgers-mac-up/

There are many more burgers to enjoy, if you want to see more, just search “burgers” on my front page and behold some of this!

Let me know where you get your favorite burger!

“But don’t it make you want to rock and roll
All night long
Mohammed’s Radio”

“All night long” indeed…Warren Zevon’s brilliant self-titled album included some of Southern California’s most popular singers at the time…

Time To Celebrate Warren Zevon!

I wanted to look at some of Zevon’s greatest music, and what better place to begin than with his self-titled “kinda debut”! Let me explain…

Zevon is known of course for his major hit singles like “Werewolves Of London” and “Searching For A Heart”, but Zevon’s path to musical greatness was littered with frustration as well….

Warren Zevon’s 1969 debut album, “Wanted Dead Or Alive” – with his featured on the cover just as “Zevon”, was such a debacle that the singer waited almost six years before trying to record again…this time, however, the results were much different!

His “Unofficial” Debut!

While the self-titled “Warren Zevon” was the second studio album by Zevon, so much time had gone by that it really is his “debut” to the music world. This album was released in 1976 by Asylum Records – and Zevon had all of the “Southern California Sound” onboard to support him!

Producer Jackson Browne!

The album was produced by Jackson Browne, who of course was good friends with The Eagles…and a very successful singer/songwriter at the time, with classic hits like “Doctor My Eyes” and “Take It Easy”…

The Classic Songs Of “Warren Zevon”!

Here is a look at the classic music on the album! The first song up is Zevon’s simple but classic “Frank and Jesse James” – the story of two brothers who end up on the wrong side of the law.

“Keep on riding, riding, riding
‘Til you clear your names
Keep on riding, riding, riding
Across the rivers and the range
Keep on riding, riding, riding
Frank and Jesse James”

Does that remind you of this album? Yes, Browne was one of the cowboys show on the back cover of “Desperado”.

Here is a terrific live performance of the song by Zevon in his private studio:

Bravo to “TransatlanticMoments” for posting this on YouTube!

“Mama Couldn’t Be Persuaded” and “Backs Turned Looking Down the Path” are next…

While Stevie Nicks is seen here holding Warren up, here’s a fun fact: another Fleetwood Mac band member, Lindsay Buckingham plays guitar on “Backs Turned”, and does harmonies on “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” and “Mohammad’s Radio” as well…

“Hasten Down the Wind”

Next up were two songs turned into big hits – by another friend of Zevon!

Here are some of the lyrics to “Hasten Down The Wind”:

“She tells him she thinks she needs to be free
He tells her he doesn’t understand
She takes his hand she tells him nothing’s working out
The way they planned

She’s so many women
He can’t find the one who was his friend
So he’s hanging on to half a heart
But he can’t have the restless part
So he tells her to hasten down the wind”

Here is just the audio of Zevon singing the song:

Linda Ronstadt Covers Warren!

Zevon’s song was perfect for Linda Ronstadt, who was one of the most popular singers at that time – and she loved the song so much she named her entire album after it!

Here is a live version by Ronstadt:

Of course, that was just the tip of the Ronstadt iceberg! Linda turned the next song on the album into a big hit as well…

The Smash Hit “Poor Poor Pitiful Me”

The next song on the album is Zevon’s iconic “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” – another great song.

Here is a terrific live version by Zevon from 1982:

Of course, as great as the song is, it wasn’t Zevon’s massive hit – but Linda Ronstadt’s! Here is Linda performing the song live:

Warren Zevon was quite candid about his penchant for partying, so a picture of him, Jackson and John belushi is no surprise, and the next song on the album addresses his take on “life in the fast lane” in Hollywood…

“The French Inhaler”

His lyrics on this song are quite vivid:

“You said you were an actress
Yes, I believe you are I thought you’d be a star
So I drank up all the money, yes I drank up all the money
With these phonies in this Hollywood bar
These friends of mine in this Hollywood bar

Loneliness and frustration
We both came down with an acute case
When the lights came up at two I caught a glimpse of you
And your face looked like something
Death brought with him in his suitcase”

Here is a great live version from 1993:

Thanks to “WarrenZevonFanatic” for posting this on Youtube!

The Brilliance of “Mohammed’s Radio”

Next up is one of his most beautiful songs:

“Everybody’s restless and they’ve got no place to go
Someone’s always trying to tell them
Something they already know
So their anger and resentment flow

But don’t it make you want to rock and roll
All night long
Mohammed’s Radio”

Here is a great live version of the song performed by Zevon with Jackson Browne!

Thanks to “WarrenZevonAddict” for this!

“I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” is next – the title used for a movie years later, then another classic Zevon song:

“Carmelita”

Here is a rare clip of Zevon performing the song live in 1977:

Thanks to “TransatlanticMoments” for posting this rare gem on YouTube!

“Join Me in L.A.” follows “Carmelita”, another cynical look at the city:

“Well, they say this place is evil
That ain’t why I stay
‘Cause I found something
That will never be nothing
And I found it in L.A.”

“Desperados Under the Eaves”

The album ends with another beautiful song with haunting, yet humorous lyrics, speaking about – again – life in Hollywood:

“I was sitting in the Hollywood Hawaiian hotel
I was staring in my empty coffee cup
I was thinking that the gypsy wasn’t lyin’
All the salty Margaritas in Los Angeles
I’m gonna drink ’em up

And if California slides into the ocean
Like the mystics and statistics say it will
I predict this motel will be standing until I pay my bill”

Here is a live audio performance by Warren at WMMS Studio, Cleveland OH on October 13, 1976.

So that’s the terrific, timeless music from “Warren Zevon.” It’s an album full of great songs, insightful, compelling lyrics, and a heavy dose of the “Southern California” sound, thanks to Producer Jackson Browne. Browne is heard on harmony vocals on tracks 2, 3 and 11…

The Eagles Sing Along As Well!

Glenn Frey and Don Henley also provide musical support, with Frey playing rhythm guitar on “Carmelita”, and harmony vocals on “The French Inhaler” and “Carmelita”, while Henley provides harmony vocals on “Inhaler” as well…

Zevon and Henley were good friends, and Warren performed at Henley’s “Walden Woods” concerts…and said this about his friend:

Henley also sang on the Warren Zevon tribute album – here is the audio of Henley’s rendition of Zevon’s beautiful “Searching For A Heart”:

The success of this album, especially with Ronstadt’s hit singles, led to a incredible period of creativity for Zevon…

What followed two years later was this:

“Excitable Boy” was his smash hit, with “Werewolves Of London” and “Lawyers, Guns & Money” – read more about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/12/14/warren-zevon-werewolves-of-london-brilliant-letterman-final-appearance-musics-mutineer/

Jackson Browne did a great job producing “Warren Zevon”, and he is still makings own music as well:

You can read more about it here, including the video for his “Take It Easy” sequel:

Jackson Browne! Never “Running On Empty”! Brilliant New Jackson Browne Music!

Of course, Don Henley is still releasing great music as well:

Henley just released another #1 album of country songs. See who is he singing with here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/02/24/don-henleys-1-cass-county-music-masterpiece-from-eagles-maestro-with-dolly-parton-and-mick-jagger-too/

Let me know what your favorite song is from “Warren Zevon!”

Meet Jill St. John – America’s First “Bond Girl”!

One of the many interesting aspects of the James Bond series is the “Bond Girl” – a beautiful co-star who gets involved with 007 in many different ways:

Of course, James Bond has always been irresistible, that’s just part of the “retro” charm of the series…in 1971, Bond got his first American “Bond Girl”, Tiffany Case!

Jill St. John was a very successful Actress in the 60’s and 70’s, but is perhaps best known for her role as Bond girl Tiffany Case in “Diamonds Are Forever.”

Some Jill St. John Trivia!

Let’s get to know America’s first Bond Girl a bit better. As a young girl, St. John was a member of the Children’s Ballet Company – and one of her fellow dancers was Natalie Wood!

In 1957, at age 16, Universal Pictures signed St. John to a contract. She made dozens of films throughout the 60’s, and received a Best Actress Golden Globe nomination for “Come Blow Your Horn” opposite Frank Sinatra.

St. John’s most famous role was as “Bond Girl” Tiffany Case in the 1971 James Bond film “Diamonds Are Forever”, here she starred opposite Sean Connery.

America’s First Bond Girl!

As with many Bond girls before, St. John was outfitted in a variety of skimpy outfits, but the big difference between her and the other is that she was the first American to play a Bond girl!

Jill’s Unique “Natalie Wood” Connection!

The other “Bond Girl” in “Diamonds” was Lana Wood, who played “Plenty O’ Toole” in the film…

Jill St. John is now married to Robert Wagner, who had previously been married to the late Natalie Wood – yes, Lana’s sister! Natalie was also a member of St. John’s Children’s Ballet Company when they were growing up…talk about coincidences!

If you want to read more about Lana Wood, you can click here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/04/28/007s-sexy-bond-girl-plenty-otoole-lana-wood-natalies-sister-hollywood-sex-kitten-bares-all/

Jill St. John brought a much-needed level of goofiness to her role as Tiffany Case, with more depth and character than usual for a “Bond girl”…especially when she tried to help 007…although as you can see, her aim wasn’t so good!

After her Bond role, St. John acted in a number of movies and TV shows, and also posed for a variety of provocative pictures…

Eventually, St. John tired of the business…and moved into an interesting area – Orchids!

St. John left Hollywood in the late 80’s and developed a handmade Angora sweater business, and became interested in orchid growing, skiing, hiking, river rafting, camping, and gardening! In 1987, she said:

“I’m a mountain gal now. I love the outdoors and I love harvesting and using fresh vegetables and herbs.”

Jill St. John’s “Yada Yada” Moment!

Jill wasn’t done being in the cultural zeitgeist, however. Avid “Seinfeld” fans will remember her and Wagner as Mickey’s parents in the classic “Yada Yada” episode of the series!

Let me know what you think of America’s first “Bond Girl!”

“Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something…Faithful!”

It was one of Todd Rundgren’s sterling achievements – a single side of music as good as anything he has ever released…

“Rundgren’s ‘clearest and most interesting set of songs since Something/Anything?'”

The album got superlative reviews for the original music on the album, but there was more – because this was Todd’s unique “tribute” album as well – time to celebrate “Faithful!”

Todd’s “10 Year” Musical Tribute!

“Faithful” was Todd’s seventh album, released in 1976. Here is how he described the idea behind it:

“It was my tenth anniversary in the music business…I picked out the songs you would have heard anywhere you went ten years earlier…it was my little tribute to an era that was already ten years gone.”

The quote is from “A Wizard A True Star: Todd Rundgren In The Studio” by Paul Myers, an essential read for all Todd fans!

The first side of “Faithful” was dedicated to “faithful” re-recordings of classic 1960’s psychedelic-era songs, while side two was all new original material.

Side One Of “Faithful” is indeed FAITHFUL – as these are note-for-note exact renditions of some of his favorite songs, beginning with:

“Happenings Ten Years Time Ago” by The Yardbirds, with Jimmy Page, who later of course went onto stardom with Led Zeppelin…

The classic Beach Boys song “Good Vibrations” was next, followed by the somewhat obscure Beatles song “Rain” …

Of course, Utopia would make an entire album of Beatles songs, the controversial “Deface The Music”…you can read about that here:

Todd Rundgren “Defaces The Music!” Todd’s Beatles Homage Divides Utopia!

Todd then moved onto Bob Dylan and “Most Likely You Go Your Way And I’ll Go Mine”, followed by his Jimi Hendrix cover “If Six Was Nine”…

Todd finishes side on with his other Beatles cover, the psychedelic “Strawberry Fields Forever”…

Here is a fan-created video, the song with various shots of Todd:

Todd’s Brilliant Side Of Music!

Side two of “Faithful” is, to put it simply, a one-sided masterpiece – six songs that capture everything I love about Todd Rundgren as an Artist.

It is as if he wanted to do a collection of “Todd songs” for his “faithful” fans, and boy, are they ever brilliant!

He offers up a classic rock song, several ballads, one of his most soulful songs of all time, and a raucous party song for fans…

“Black and White”

Todd puts his rock hat on with a crunchy tune that has a touch of heavy metal added in.

Here is a great clip of Todd performing with his Utopia bandmates from The Bottom Line in 1978:

Thanks to “mojorisen74” for posting this great live clip!

“Love of the Common Man”

Here’s a perfect Todd single, an upbeat pop song with great lyrics and a catchy hook.

Here is a live performance from 1978, thanks to “mojorisen74” once again!

In 2016, I saw Todd perform in Beverly Hills, and he does a flawless rendition of the song in tandem with “I Saw The Light” – here is that performance:

As you can hear, Todd is still in perfect form, and this side of “Faithful” is almost a “greatest hits” of Todd’s sound…next up was the funky “When I Pray”, and then another song that should have been a hit single:

“Cliché”

This song is exactly what should have been released as a single, but wasn’t! More on that in a moment.

Here is a great acoustic version of “Cliche” that Todd performed live on VH-1:

Next is a song reminiscent to me of his classic Utopia song “The Wheel” – a long, soulful story of life and love…

“The Verb ‘To Love'”

“Please come home, I can hear them calling
Please come home, please don’t leave us all alone
Your brothers and your sisters are crying all alone
You got let it magnetize, learn to sacrifice
‘Til we get the true version of the meaning of the verb ‘To Love’
What does it mean to love?”

Here is a video from WDR Studio L in 1977 with Utopia:

Thanks for “rogsteel” for the youtube video! Next up:

“Boogies (Hamburger Hell)”

The closing song, “Boogies (Hamburger Hell)”, opens with a reference to Beefsteak Charlie’s, which former Utopia drummer Kevin Ellman was currently operating along with his family.

This is a fun, energy party song with a great hook – and Todd sounds like he’s having a blast!

The Dynamite “Faithful” Reviews!

Upon release, Todd’s album was hailed as one of his best!

Critic Robert Christgau called the second side of “Faithful”:

“Rundgren’s clearest and most interesting set of songs since Something/Anything?”

Rolling Stone’s rock critic John Milward said this:

“the original material that fills side two is a more ambitious tribute to his influences and his strongest collection of pop tunes since his classic ‘Something/Anything’.”

So Guess What? The Record Label Snuck It Into Release!

Shockingly for an album so highly praised, Bearsville Records barely let anyone know it was out!

The album was released in May 1976 with virtually no advertising. According to reports, Bearsville Records’ president Paul Fishkin decided that Todd’s fans would buy his music, and no one else would, so why spend the money!

The Shocking Decision NOT To Release Any Singles!

Another shocking discovery was the label’s refusal to release Todd’s great new music as singles!

Only the remake of The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” was released as a single and barely charted!

Here is what Fishkin told CREEM magazine:

“Musically, this is one of the most consistent, accessible records Todd has ever done, so we’re doing something unique on another level: we will not be advertising nationally initially.”

WHAT!?!?!?!?! Todd’s most accessible music with some of his best reviews, and NO ADVERTISING!

But, as if to confirm Fishkin’s belief that Todd’s fans would show up no matter what, Todd fans did indeed rush out to support him, and the album made it to #54 on the Billboard Album Charts!

For me, “Faithful” is an example of Todd following his creative road, but also giving fans plenty to enjoy…and next up for Todd was another masterpiece:

“Hermit Of Mink Hollow” is one of the great albums ever released, and you can see clips from it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/07/25/todd-rundgren-a-brilliant-hermit-mink-hollows-power-pop-masterpiece/

Todd was also heavily into Utopia at this time, which included live touring:

There is a unique box set of all of their performances at England’s legendary “Knebworth” festival – the sound quality is variable, but it’s a collector’s item for sure:

Read more about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/12/25/todd-rundgren-utopia-live-at-knebworth-amazing-box-set-fascinating-musical-history-in-a-box/

Leave a comment to let me know what you think of Todd’s “Faithful!”

eleven madison exterior

Welcome To Eleven Madison Park!

Yes, it’s located on the edge of New York’s Madison Park, and it’s one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the world!

It recently landed at #5 on the “World’s Best” restaurant list, and we had the chance to eat there!

Daniel Humm is the executive chef and co-owner of Eleven Madison. Humm and his partner, General Manager Will Guider have made Eleven Madison Park a “must try” destination for foodies.

It has been called one of the world’s best restaurants, and we were ready to find out for ourselves!

Welcome To Food Paradise!

We arrived and were seated quickly – you do not receive a menu, since it is a “tasting menu” the Chef tweaks based on the seasons…however, you DO get a menu – here is how:

Enjoy Your Menu!

The restaurant has a unique way of sharing the menu: it is given to you after the meal in a cool round tin – with the menu printed on a circular paper inside like this!

After ordering drinks, we were ready to dig in to our food. The serving team was phenomenal, very communicative – pacing the delivery of food expertly…and here is how it began:

“Black And White”

The menu begins with a nod to New York City, home to the classic “black and white” cookie – but here, they deliver it in a small box as your first amuse bouche:

That’s because these are savory cookies with apple and cheddar! Next up is a stack of containers:

“A Tower Of Tastes”

Here is what you have delivered in a towering box, then deconstructed: A fava bean croquette…

Whitefish salad is also served, with a collection of vegetables to dip…and you are also given a morel foam bite with rye crisp:

Finally, you receive a wellfleet oyster with caviar! Next up is one of their most creative dishes:

“Caviar Benedict”

This is the restaurant’s version of “eggs bendict with caviar”, served in a similar container to the menu – a rich egg custard topped with shaved egg yolk and caviar – and the cutest and smallest english muffins you’ve ever seen!

Up next was a chance for each of us to try something different – alex opted for a clean dish:

“Fluke”

This delicate fish is marinated with peas and grapefruit – light but incredibly flavorful…my option was also incredibly flavorful…just not as light!

“A Taste of Foie Gras with Spinach Leaf”

Hey, I’m always a sucker for foie! This was warm poached foie, absolutely silky smooth and delicious…

As you can see from the circular menu, next up was a fun take on a pot pie:

“Lobster Pie”

The Lobster was served butter-poached with morels and peas…and then, one of the most amazing preparations of the night showed up:

“Pig’s Bladder Asparagus!”

Um….WHAT!?!?!?!? Well, what you see here is a giant inflated pig’s bladder!

Yes, this is an asparagus dish! You see, it has been braised with potato and black truffle inside of a pig’s bladder!

After dressing it down with the broth, they cut it open and leave you with a beautiful plate of asparagus and truffle!

More food keeps coming, as you can see by the circles! We enjoyed two different wines throughout the meal as well:

“Spring Lamb”

Next up is lamb served multiple ways with romaine, garlic and broth…we each had our own plate and then mixed and matched for more flavor!

You are served new potatoes with flower, and morel mushrooms with custard and spring garlic on the side!

Now, it was time to head into dessert!

“Triple Cream”

Yes, this cheese course is a Gougere – served with rhubarb, sorrel and green garlic – and then, a special presentation for Alex’s birthday!

“Malt”

This ice cream is served with pretzel and chocolate, followed by chocolate that is a test – you get four bars of chocolate like this:

“Name That Milk!”

That’s right, you are given a slip of paper to try and match the chocolate with the animal that provided the milk!

We didn’t get them right, but it was fun to try! Finally, a box of chocolates ended the meal, with a nice apple liquor and bag of goodies to go!

A Circular Menu Unfolds!

Here is the entire menu – a keepsake for us to take home and discuss forever!

And what a meal: unique presentations, incredible flavors, expert staff and a fun environment – it wasn’t like dining in a “food museum”, it was playful and festive…

It reminded us of another Three-Michelin starred restaurant in New York, Chef Thomas Keller’s Per Se…fun, playful and incredibly inventive…you can read more about Per Se here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/05/07/congrats-per-se-named-one-of-the-best-restaurants-in-the-world-the-french-laundry-too-plus-ad-hoc-fried-chicken/

We have also eaten at the legendary French Laundry in Napa Valley as well:

We were lucky enough to be part of the restaurant’s 20-year celebration…you can see it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/07/07/the-french-laundrys-20th-anniversary-celebration-chef-thomas-kellers-xx-party-food-pics-galore/

Finally, here is a look at some of the incredible Michelin restaurants that are doing special “pop ups” all over the world – bringing signature dishes like this to foodies everywhere:

Check it out here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/06/04/michelin-3-star-pop-ups-world-famous-noma-french-laundry-ad-lib-pop-up-success/

Leave me a message to let me know what you think of Eleven Madison Park!

Tommy Smothers “Beds” John And Yoko!”

There is a story behind this iconic photo: Comedian Tommy Smothers is one of many celebrities lying in a bed with John Lennon and Yoko Ono…how he got there, and what Lennon said to him, was explained to me by this Smothers Brother one night in Detroit!

“The Smothers Brothers!” The Hippest Show On TV!

Here is the set up:

Tom and Dick Smothers were successful standup comedians/songwriters, gaining fame throughout the 1960’s for classic albums like “Mom Always Liked You Best!”

Based on their success, they got their own TV show on CBS, which was a big hit! However, it ran for only two years, from 1967-69. More on that in a moment. It was a classic “variety” show: comedy sketches, musical guests, standup comedy – both Director Rob Reiner and up-and-coming Comedian Steve Martin worked on the show – and Martin got the chance to do standup on the show!

What CBS never anticipated, however, was the Vietnam War, which raged on in the late 60’s and divided the country. Tommy Smothers in particular was quite vocal about many of the country’s social issues, and the show became more political, leading to the brothers being censored by CBS…and that’s where The Beatles stepped in!

George Harrison Shows Beatles Solidarity!

The show was censored on several occasions, including when Singer Harry Belafonte sang his “Carnival” song over footage of student protests against the war…the network forced the show to cut the sequence.

The following week, the show opened with a surprise appearance by George Harrison! George has a bit of fun at first, talking about films The Beatles had given the show to air, including “Hey Jude”.

The Beatles Speak Out Against Censorship!

Suddenly, the appearance gets serious, as Tommy jokes about what you can’t say on american TV, a veiled reference to CBS pulling the Belafonte segment from the show.

Here is a clip from the show when “the quiet Beatle” stopped by to give the brothers some support in the midst of their fight with CBS. As you can see, this clip is from an E! airing:

The Beatles also used The Smothers Brothers Show to premiere their new music film, “Revolution.” This video uses a mashup of both versions from “The White Album”, the song having a hard-rock edge PLUS the “doo wop” harmonies from the slower album version.

This great film can also be found on the new Beatles blu-ray, which includes a treasure trove of rare and un-released films from the 60’s. Read more about this incredible collection here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/09/18/the-beatles-exclusive-new-release-incredible-beatles-music-videos-the-beatles-1-is-here/

How do I know all this? Because when I was at E!, E! President Jarl Mohn was smart enough to buy the rights to re-air the original episodes of “The Smothers Brothers Show” – and as part of that project, we filmed all new wraparound elements with the brothers – and we interviewed many of the original show guests!

My Tommy Smothers “John Lennon Bed-In” Story!

As we were finalizing the plans for the show, I flew with my team to Detroit, where the Brothers were performing. One night, our head Writer, the legendary James “Big Boy” Medlin, took Dick Smothers and the team out for dinner, while Tommy and I sat in his hotel room to discuss our plans. He was concerned that the vintage episodes wouldn’t hold up, but I explained that the show’s incredible musical elements needed to be seen again.

The shows were full of great musical moments with The Doors, The Who, and many others…and of course, The Beatles!

Tommy’s “Bed-In” With A Beatle!

Here is the story he told me about John Lennon, because Tommy was part of the incredible live recording of “Give Peace A Chance” during John & Yoko’s “bed-in for peace” in Toronto in 1969!

A Controversial “Bed-In!”

It may sound like no big deal now, but in 1969 this was incendiary stuff! John and Yoko were spending a week in bed in Toronto to promote peace, and they recorded “Give Peace A Chance” in the room…the couple invited many journalists in as well, and some were very combative towards John and Yoko…

This was a very polarizing time for Lennon. After the press events, John gathered all of the musicians, including Tommy, and they began rehearsing a new song – “Give Peace A Chance.” Tommy wanted to impress the Beatle by showing some innovative guitar work…

I told Tommy how incredible it was that he was performing with John Lennon. But Tommy explained to me what happened next.

He said that after his virtuoso guitar work, John abruptly stopped him, and said to him in his uniquely Lennon Liverpool accent:

“Just play it the way I wrote it, Tommy. If I wanted you to play it another way I would have written it like that”

Oops! Tommy told me he felt foolish, but John was nice about it, just adamant that EVERYONE in the room perform the song exactly as he wrote it!

Here is a clip of John’s famous “bed-in for peace”: – you can see Tommy Smothers playing Guitar at the end of the clip:

It was a pleasure to work with Tom and Dick Smothers, and these classic shows helped put E! on the map. Everyone involved with the original CBS shows were eager to be part of this updated version, because The Smothers Brothers were beloved…and of course, they showed classic Beatles material AND had George stop by to give them verbal support!

It was a few years later when John Lennon would run into The Smothers Brothers again – during the infamous 18-month “long weekend” binge with Harry Nilsson and others in Los Angeles!

One of the legendary stories about John and Harry involved being thrown out of a Smothers Brothers performance at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. Here’s a great article with the entire story from the terrific “Ultimate Classic Rock” website:

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/john-lennon-harry-nilsson-troubadour/

It was one of John’s darker moments, and overshadowed some creative spark he showed at the time. It was during this period that Lennon produced the Harry Nilsson “Pussycats” album, which you can see here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/05/29/lime-in-the-coconut-harry-nilssons-musical-madness-john-lennon-shenanigans/

At this time in the post-Beatles world, John was living his “long weekend”, and Paul was getting Wings up to speed…

John and Paul were, without a doubt, music’s greatest duo, and look what I found: Paul singing “A Day In The Life” live in Liverpool, then segueing into “Give Peace A Chance” – with Yoko in the audience smiling broadly!

I am NOT a “Paul V. John” person – they were both brilliant in their own way, and I love that Paul played John’s iconic song…and let’s not forget Ringo, as we head back to The Smothers Brothers show!

Ringo also stopped by the show as well, and performed his “No No Song” with the brothers….

Ringo’s still making music, and touring all around the world with his “All-Starr” band…here’s a look at the latest lineup, including my favorite, Todd Rundgren:

Here is a look at some of the great music he will be making in 2016:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/12/16/ringos-all-starr-band-rocks-on-todd-rundgrens-2016-tease-the-beatles-tour-on/

There is a great new book at looks at Ringo’s life – and Ringo himself released an incredible memento for fans as well!

These are replicas of the post cards that Paul, John and George sent Ringo from the road when he was in the hospital! See more about this here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/06/16/ringo-starr-great-rock-biography-postcards-from-the-beatles/

Leave me a message and let me know what you think of Tommy Smothers and John Lennon!