Benjy says...
Welcome to this week's newsletter, please note that the playlist for last Thursday's show can be found by clicking here. It's been a busy week for ROA, I'm happy to say that I have loads of new albums coming in from around the globe and I can't wait to spin them on the show. The Rock of Ages audience is growing in leaps and bounds with loads of calls and emails from new fans of the show ... here is a sample of some of the messages of support received recently ............... "I'm telling as many people as I can. Your show is top class" (Jeff Peimer) ..... "the best thing of all is the magnificent music that is played on your show. It is totally superior to any other music program on S.A radio. Just keep on rocking!!" (Dave) .... "I've started listening to u in the beginning of August, I'm just 1 of those guys that loves to listen to the old skool stuff, thanx a lot for making my day" (Mason) .... "Thanks for the fantastic show every week, can't go through the week without yours" (Andrew Viles) .... "Thanks for the great music every Thursday night" (John Rash)....
Hey it's my pleasure, thank you for listening and participating in the show, that's what the spirit of Rock of Ages is all about - free form, non-playlist, unpredictable rock 'n roll for the masses!
As the late Jerry Garcia once said about the band that he formed in the mid 60's - 'what a long, strange trip it's been'. Judging by the amount of calls on Thursday night the Rock of Ages community are evenly split between fans of the Grateful Dead (Deadheads) and non-fans (non-Heads). It's true that the Dead were guilty of aural excesses with long meandering jams that went on for a lunchtime (and sometimes longer) but I challenge anyone to name a classic rock band that, from time to time, forgot to the end the song! Plus of course one has to take into account that the band, in the late 60's and early 70's, were keen supporters and partakers of the famous Owsley acid and that played a big role in forming the band's attitude to music, fans and rock in general. Don't get me wrong, I'm not condoning anything but it's undeniable that LSD was a major force in the development of rock music - no psychedelics? ... no "Are you experienced", "Piper at the gates of dawn", "Sgt Peppers", "Disraeli Gears" and scores of other ground breaking albums. Now there's a future Special in the making ... the Psychedelic Explosion.....
Meanwhile back at the ranch the focus of this coming Thursday's show will be a band that I get a lot of requests for - Babe Ruth. Sadly there is not a lot of interesting info available on the web but I have managed to patch together the following profile courtesy of the Dinosaur Days (www.dinosaurdays.co.za) and Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org) and Bobby Shred's fan site (www.bobbyshred.com) websites:
Babe Ruth was a UK group active mainly in the mid to late 70's. They had a unique sound marked by powerful vocals from Janita Haan, then regarded as one of the leading vocals lights of rock music,and great guitar work by Alan Shacklock. When the group was first formed in 1971, they were called Shacklock, members included Janita Haan and bassist Dave Hewitt, they were joined by Dave Punshon and Dick Powell (brother of Slade drummer Don Powell) with Ed Spevock and Steve Gurl joining later to form the definitive version of the band. The first album, 1972's "First Base", is highly rated by fans worldwide and includes some of the band's signature tunes like the roaring "Wells Fargo", "Black Dog" (not the Led Zep classic) and spaghetti Western composer Ennio Moriccone's "The Mexican" with it's distinct Spanish guitar motifs. In fact it is the Andalusia influence that permeates most of their early albums, underlining guitarist Shacklock's obsession with flamenco guitar and setting them apart from the majority of the 70's rock outfits. The followup "Amar Caballero" continued this experimentation with the title track forming a mini-opera, the album broke them in the US the record went gold. By the release of the third album, simply titled "Babe Ruth", Shacklock was tiring of continually being on the road and left the band. He was replaced by future Whitesnake stringman Bernie Marsden who remained with them for the "Stealing Home" album. With the exit of Shacklock however the group seemed to lose focus and direction, both Jenny Haan and Dave Hewitt exited shortly after the album was released leaving Babe Ruth in the situation of having no original members in the band. The remaining musicians drafted in a new singer in Ellie Hope alongside bassist Ray Knott and delivered the album "Kid's stuff" but the writing was on the wall and they split some time later. In late 2005 the 'rock wire' reported that Haan, Shacklock and Hewitt were recording together in Nashville and that a new Babe Ruth album was imminent, however there's been so sign of it so far.
Members
- Janita (Jenny ) Haan: vocals, 1971-1975
- Dave Hewitt: bass and vocals, 1971-1975
- Dick Powell: drums and percussion, 1971-1973
- Dave Punshon: electric piano and piano, 1971-1975
- Alan Shacklock: guitars, vocals, organ, percussion, and string arrangements, 1971-1975
Other Members
- Jeff Allen: drums, 1971
- Ed Spevock: drums, 1973-1976
- Chris Holmes: keyboards, 1973
- Steve Gurl: keyboards, 1975-1976
- Bernie Marsden: guitars, 1975-1976
- Ellie Hope: vocals, 1976
- Ray Knott: bass, 1976
- Simon Lambeth: guitars and backing vocals, 1976
Discography
- First Base 1972 **
- Amar Caballero, 1973 *
- Babe Ruth, 1975
- Stealin' Home, 1975 *
- Kid's Stuff, 1976
* recommended
** Essential
Rock of Ages's recommendations
The Chicago-bred trio The Steepwater Band's organic, hard-driving synthesis of gutsy hard rock, gritty Delta blues, soulful backwoods boogie and down-home psychedelia has made them fans around the world. I've played tracks from their previous 2 albums "Brother to the snake" and "Dharmakaya" on the show and was so impressed that I contacted the band who have sent me an advance copy of the new album.
On Revelation Sunday ***, they take full advantage of their musical depth and diversity, combining their influences, distinctive songwriting, and a rootsy intensity to create their own brand of classic sounding edgy rock or what some have called "Heavy Americana." Have a listen to "Collision","Steel sky" and my fave "Mercy".
Ratings
| ***** | Volcanic....not to be missed. |
| **** | Seismic....highly recommended...buy it! |
| *** | Aftershock....solid effort. |
| ** | Xmas cracker...Pooof! |
| * | Do I need to explain this? |
Catch you every Thursday 8 to Midnight ...
Benjy
Contact Rock of Ages
Email: click here
Snail mail:
PO Box 782022, Sandton 2146
Studio phone: 089-1102003
Disclaimer:
The views, opinions, rants, raves and ramblings expressed on this website are the author's own and in no way reflect the views of Radio 2000 or the SABC.
|
|
Latest Playlist
|
| Rock Of Ages News |
Buckcherry sued
Buckcherry are being sued by a 16-year-old girl, who claims she was traumatised by appearing in the video for 'Crazy Bitch'. It's alleged she was encouraged to drink, kiss another girl and flash her breasts during the shoot at the Key Club in Hollywood. The band's label, Atlantic, are also being sued.
Super Panic
Panic Channel and Supernova are teaming up for a US tour early in '07. Talk about super group a-go-go. Panic Channel feature three former members of Jane's Addiction (Dave Navarro, Stephen Perkins and Chris Chaney), while the latter is based around Tommy Lee (Motley Crue), Gilby Clarke Guns 'n Roses) and Jason Newsted (Metallica).
Van Halen Beats Cancer
Eddie Van Halen has publicly confirmed that he is now, thankfully, free of cancer, which has blighted him for the past few years. And the legendary guitarist has refused to rule out a Van Halen re-union with original front man David Lee Roth.
Stones Have A Ruby
The Rolling Stones are going into the cartoon business. The new animated movie 'Ruby Tuesday' is being co-produced by Mick Jagger's company Jagged Films, and will feature 12 Stones songs. The storyline is 'Faustian story about a single mother searching for happiness in New York'.
Short Cuts ... Rush duo Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have recorded a cover of 'I Fought The Law' for the soundtrack of upcoming movie 'The Big Dirty'. They worked on this with former Tea Party drummer Jeff Burrows ... Led Zeppelin are to be inducted in to the UK Music Hall Of Fame. The ceremony will happen on November 14 at Alexandra Palace in London .... Sebastian Bach apparently stormed offstage during a show in Sydney after getting fed up with the audience throwing things at him. The incident happened as he prepared to perform the Skid Row classic 'Youth Gone Wild'.
More Classic Rock?
I can highly recommend the About Classic Rock website run by Dave White. Not only does Dave host one of the most knowledgeable classic rock blogs on the Net but the site itself is very entertaining and informative. There are always great indepth stories on the artists and the rock quizzes are addictive. If you are like me, a classic rock fan, then the weekly About Classic Rock newletter is a must. Sign up at classicrock.about.com
More rock on R2K ......
Suffering from Rock withdrawal symptoms on a Tuesday night? Well then tune the dial el pronto to Barney Simon's show between 8 and midnight every Tuesday on Radio 2000 (or R2K as Barney calls it) for the best in South African rock plus gig guide,albums reviews, demos, new releases, news from around the country and much more ...... Unmissable! .... Also don't forget to catch Michelle Constant between 1pm and 3pm Monday-Friday for news, music, interviews and loads of cool stuff .... and of course .... Mo G on the morning drive, weekdays 8-10am ... Exclusively on Radio 2000.
|
| Live Gigs |
Boulevard Blues Band
17th Sunday Berties Mooring, Gordons Bay
20th Wed Berties Mooring Acoustic sessions
22nd/23rd Fri/Sat Hermanus Whale Festival.........Times TBA
24th Gecko Bar Hermanus
25th to 1st of Oct Potchefstroom Aardklop festival
October
6th - 'Die Boer' Durbanville
7th 'Berties Mooring' Gordons Bay. CD Launch for 'Live and Direct'
11th - Berties Mooring
13th/14th Colesburg National Harley Davidson Festival with Bed on Bricks and Karen Zoid
20th -Berties Mooring
21st - Mowbray Golf Club 20th school reunion Acoustic band
26th - Simonsvlei Wine Estate Stellenbosch
28th - Flaming Fox
29th - Berties Mooring
Jack Hammer
22nd Steak & Ale, Pretoria
23rd SinkShack, Bronkhorstspruit
London Calling (Fairview ,Jhb)
22nd September - Friday - TOUCHED BY NAUSEA, SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, GROSS MISCONDUCT and HASTEN THE STORM
Robin Auld (EP TOUR)
17th Monrose, Knysna
16th Deck, Gonubie
23rd Habari's, PE
24th Pepper Street, Jeffrey's Bay
29th Die Boer, Durbanville
30th Fogey's at the Railway House, Muizenberg
Stoned Goblin
22nd September Corner Bar, Durbanville
White Mountain Folk Festival
22-25 September Giants Castle Kwa Zulu Natal
Friday - Starplayer, Thirty Three, Movie55, SpoonFeedas
Saturday - Fox Fyre, Zoe, Fiona Tozer, Laurie Levine, Guy Buttery, Shomon, Nibs van der Spuy, Farryl Purkiss, Rory Eliot (Plush), Jim Neversink
Sunday - Krane, Jason Glover, Melody Kaye, Cubic Inch, Quark, Manage a Trois, Sitter, Karen Zoid
|
| You say it's your birthday... |
September 15
Lee Dorman - Iron Butterfly - 1945
September 16
Bernard Calvert - Hollies - 1943
B.B. King - 1925
September 17
Fee Waybill - Tubes - 1950
September 18
Kerry Livgren - Kansas - 1949
September 19
"Mama" Cass Elliot - 1934
Brian Epstein - Beatles manager - 1934
Bill Medley - Righteous Brothers - 1940
September 20
Chuck Panozzo - Styx - 1947
September 21
Don Felder - Eagles - 1947
Leonard Cohen - 1934
Don Preston - Mothers of Invention - 1932
Moon Zappa - 1967
Courtesy of About ClassicRock
Birthday archives
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
|
| "Benjy says..." Archive
|
|
This website is part of the South African Rock Encyclopedia
