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Writings on the Wall

Long Beach, CA - Surviving Janis Joplin (cont'd from)

She arrived on the scene before the scent of revolution was even in the air. Growing up in New Orleans, she traveled to New York for a time and collected many sky miles as a stewardess before settling in the Bay area. Attending college only lasted long enough to launch her into a new state of awareness, where she found an entrepreneurial finesse that paid off well. Her curious little boutique was located at 1510 Haight Street and was esoterically named Mnasidika. This treasure trove was a cash cow that will forever mark the map. Historical moments were unfolding as Bill Graham started a musical movement that caught like wildfire. Music was becoming fashionable, and rock n roll was a part of the mainstream as San Francisco was a prime spot for such performers as Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Santana, and many more. Bands on the scene started to create a buzz for themselves, and everyone wanted MORE. It was during this stir of America's melting pot that civil rights and the topic of equality were at the forefront, as freedom of expression through speech or whatever means of protest to get the point across. But let's not forget what got the youth started on this trip--they were blowing their minds on LSD, opening doors, dissolving barriers, eating up the world as if it were a giant peach, giving up all sense of reality to understand "All You Need Is Love." Thus dawned on us the Age of Aquarius, and as the flower children flocked to San Fran, Peggy was sitting pretty with the only hip store on the block carrying those items that distinguished the psychedelics from the squares. Being off-beat and eccentric was trendy, and kids were seeking to stand out from the crowd, taking full advantage of the stylistic choices offered at Mnasidika.

Toronto, CAN - Elton John Saves The Day

It was a cold day. I really don't remember what day it was, only that the night before was filled with all the things that make up rock n' roll and my head was confirming that. The taxi dropped me off at "Eastern Sound," an upper-crust studio located in the heart of downtown Toronto, Canada. It was the Rodeo district of TO, as they called it. Expensive cars, clothes, and women who just walked out of a Cosmopolitan ad. I tipped the cab driver well, only because I didn't have a smaller bill, and besides, the driver thought I was some important rock star. As I approached the gate of the recording studio, I noticed this huge mountain of a man standing tall and protective... or so he appeared. I walked towards him and attempted to go around him; he quickly pushed me away and said, "No one is to enter the building." I tried to explain to him that I was 2 hours late for my session and that the record company United Artists was not happy with me. He told me to get lost. We started arguing, and at one point, I made another attempt to go around him; once again, he pushed me, except this time, I pushed him back. This annoyed the giant and he began to get very physical with me. Web exchanged a few punches, which I can attest he got the best of me. I was probably half his size. A crowd was starting to gather, and as I looked up, I could see my band members standing over me. They were stunned; this man was attempting to hassle all of us. All of a sudden, the door swung open, and there he was, standing, yelling, and cursing at the "mountain man." He came over to me and helped me up, asking if I was hurt. I responded, explaining I was fine but that my butt was sore from landing on a piece of ice. We walked into the studio, he sat down and repeatedly kept apologizing for this man at the door, which I discovered was a security guard hired by MCARecords. He kept asking if I was alright. Salim, the studio manager, came into the room with concern and asked if I needed anything. I explained I was ok and that I should get in my room and start the session. As I entered the recording room "A," the President of United Artists Records, his A&R staff, and some other important-looking characters were waiting anxiously. They were all shocked to see who was standing next to me. With some humor, the President asked if we could get started. "At $250.00 an hour, we'll have to sell a lot of records," he said. I thanked Elton John for caring enough to come outside and rescue me.... He asked if there was anything he could do. 1 assured him that I would live and that if I needed anything, I would be more than glad to ask him. Later that evening, he introduced me to his band members. Kenny Passerelli had this incredible new bass that he insisted I use in my session. It was an Alembic, the heaviest bass I had ever held, but the sound was like velvet and rock. We met later at the posh Yorkville Four Seasons Hotel, where Elton was still apologizing for this rude brute of a man. The next day, I sat in the studio with Elton and some of his band members and listened to some great tracks that would later become "Blue Moves. " Courtesy of Ciao Magazine USA.
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