Thursday, November 22, 2007

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 96 November 25, 1971

Vintage issue # 96 of Rolling Stone magazine dated November 25, 1971 and featuring a classic cover illustration by Ralph Steadman that accompanies the conclusion of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - A Savage Journey into the Heart of the American Dream by Hunter S. Thompson.

Here's the section of the piece that was the inspiration for the illustration: "The sight of a 344 pound police chief from Waco, Texas, necking openly with his 290 pound wife when the lights were turned off for a Dope film was just barely tolerable......"

Toooo funny!

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 95 November 11, 1971

Vintage issue # 95 of Rolling Stone magazine dated November 11, 1971 and featuring a truly classic cover illustration by Ralph Steadman. Hunter S. Thompson, (aka Raoul Duke ) the gonzo journalist himself, weighs in with his seminal piece, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - A Savage Journey into the Heart of the American Dream along with 12 more Steadman illustrations.

If you came of age in the seventies, you were well aware of this journalistic work of art, which begins with "We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold. I remember saying something like "I feel a bit lightheaded; maybe you should drive..." And suddenly there was a terrible roar all around us and the sky was full of what looked like large bats, all swooping and screeching and diving around the car...".

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 94 October 28, 1971

Vintage issue # 94 of Rolling Stone magazine dated October 28, 1971 and featuring the classic cover of the Beach Boys with their guardian angels, rendered in pink tones.

More to come on this issue...check back later!!

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 93 October 14, 1971

Vintage issue # 93 of Rolling Stone magazine dated October 14, 1971 and featuring a classic cover photo of Ike & Tina Turner in happier days :)

Besides the excellent feature length article on the Turners, there is a chronicle of Sly Stone's career as it was bottoming out. The year before, in 1970, he had cancelled 26 of his 80 concerts, and was late for 8 of the shows he did play. His new manager, David Kapralik talked with Rolling Stone in an effort to salvage his clients reputation and career. Fascinatin' stuff. There is also an essay entitled Les Cockettes De San Francisco - Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma ! From what I could tell it is about a gay theatrical troupe called the Cockettes. And filling out the issue is an article called Jojouka / Up The Mountain which explores the region, the music and the Islamic traditions of Jajouka in Morocco.

There are good reads on John Lennon and Yoko Ono, the Stones, the 14th annual Monterey Jazz Festival, raids made on album bootleggers and what they turned up, rocker Steve Paul, Traffic, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Nashville and the country music scene, Don Nix, and a dissertation on the small venue concert scene by Jon Landau.

The columns Perspectives and Random Notes are fascinating time capsules which provide glimpses of the events and perspectives of the time. The column Acoustics covered stereo equipment and musical instruments that were coming to market. Visuals analyzed television, Hollywood, Broadway and Madison Avenue.

Album reviews are of Surf's Up by the Beach Boys, N.R.P.S. by New Riders of the Purple Sage, From the Inside by Poco, 20 Granite Creek by Moby Grape, A Space In Time by Ten Years After, Sometimes I Fell Like Smiling by The Butterfield Blues Band, Charity Ball by Fanny, Message From the Country by The Move, Labelle by Labelle, Wet Willie by Wet Willie and many, many more.

Book reviews are of Scattered Poems by Jack Kerouac, Max's Kansas City Stories by Tony Weinberger and Tightrope Minor by Tom Topor.

The film reviews are of The Hellstrom Chronicle and Punishment Park.

Rolling Stone magazine # 91 September 16, 1971

Vintage issue # 91 of Rolling Stone magazine dated September 16, 1971 and featuring one of the first few covers that was not a photograph. This one is of The Incredible Hulk and is strikingly done.

More to come on this issue....check back later!!

Rolling Stone magazine # 90 September 2, 1971

Vintage issue # 90 of Rolling Stone magazine dated September 2, 1971 and featuring a classic cover of George Harrison in that famous white suit he wore during The Concert for Bangla Desh.

More to come on this issue....check back later!!

Rolling Stone magazine # 89 August 9, 1971

Vintage issue # 89 of Rolling Stone magazine dated August 9, 1971
and featuring the classic cover of Stones’ guitarist Keith Richards. The “inside” cover is of Graham Nash.

The excellent feature length ( 13 full pages) interview of Keith Richards is a must-have if you are a Stones fan. The questions and answers chronicle the history of the band and offers a fascinating behind-the-scene account of what they were like circa 1971, at the height of their powers. There is also an absorbing essay on San Francisco business man and social activist Alvin Duskin entitled Who is Alvin Duskin and why is He Saying Those Terrible Things About The City Fathers?

There are also good reads on Grand Funk Railroad, Bob Neuwirth, Graham Nash, Ali Akbar, the Joy of Cooking, Alice Cooper, Mother Earth, Max Neuhaus, Anthony Newman, and pornographers Alan Bell, George Schwartz and Veronica Pond.

The column Random Notes is a fascinating time capsule which provides a glimpse of the events and perspectives of the time.

Album reviews are of Exposed by Valerie Simpson, The Allman Brothers Band At Fillmore East, Byrdmaniax by the Byrds, Runt (the Ballad of Todd Rundgren) by Tod Rundgren,Stephen Stills 2 by Stephen Stills, Live by Randy Newman, Tarkus by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Mudlark by Leo Kottke, Blue Memphis by Memphis Slim, Touching Home by Jerry Lee Lewis and many, many more.

Book reviews are of The Last Whole Earth Catalog by Stewart Brand.

The film review is of Carnal Knowledge starring Jack Nicholson and directed by Mike Nichols. Art Gunfunkle’s film debut in this film is critiqued.

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 88 August 5, 1971

Vintage issue # 88 of Rolling Stone magazine dated August 5, 1971 reporting on the death of Jim Morrison of The Doors and featuring that classic cover photo of him.

Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison....all dead within a year of each other. The music scene was never quite the same.

Check back for more on this issue later.......

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 87 July 22, 1971

Vintage issue # 87 of Rolling Stone magazine dated July 22, 1971 and featuring a classic cover of Jethro Tull.

Besides the excellent feature length article on Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull, there is a fascinating piece chronicling the Celebration of Life Festival. There is also a well written essay on everyday life in Hawaii entitled Hawaiin War Chant - No More Hula Hula, No More Primo Warriors - No More Aloha. Finally, there is a compilation in praise of old time fiddlers.

There are also good reads on the closing of the Fillmore East, the album Jesus Christ Superstar, Ashford and Simpson, communes, and Rolling Stone pleading with it's readership to forgive them for raising the price of the magazine to.....are you ready for this.....sixty cents. Seems they were being accused of profiteering and selling out to "the Man".

The columns Perspectives and Random Notes are fascinating time capsules which provide glimpses of the events and perspectives of the time.

Album reviews are of Live At The Fillmore by Aretha Franklin, Aqualung by Jethro Tull, Summer Side of Life by Gordon Lightfoot, Songs For Beginners by Graham Nash, T. Rex by T. Rex, Thirds by the James Gang, The Yes Album by Yes, Touch by the Supremes, Maybe Tomorrow by the Jackson Five, Love Letters From Elvis by Elvis Presley, Reggae Chartbusters by various artists and many, many more. There is also a review of the many comedy albums that had been released that spring and summer.

Book reviews are of Way Uptown in Another World by Shane Stevens, The Adept by Michael McClure, Gargoyle Cartoons by Michael McClure and Play Power by Richard Neville.

The film review is of Drive, He Said, the directorial debut of Jack Nicholson. Daughters of Darkness starring Anthony Perkins is also reviewed.

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 86 July 8, 1971

Vintage issue # 86 of Rolling Stone magazine dated July 8, 1971 and featuring a classic cover of rocker Doug Sahm. The “inside” cover features Stewart Brand, founder of the Whole Earth Catalog.

Besides the excellent feature length articles on Sahm by Chet Flippo and the demise of the Whole Earth Catalog, there are also good reads on John Lennon, Link Wray, Jethro Tull, Bob Zimmerman aka Bob Dylan, Nils Lofgren and his band Grin, the famed Studio B of Columbia Records located on Folsom Street in San Francisco, the London club scene, Traffic, the 25th annual Cannes Film Festival, and legendary guitarist Alexis Korner.

There is also The Record Company Executive Thing, the Rolling Stone interview of Joe Smith, Executive Vice President of Warner Brothers Records and Reprise Records. There is another interview entitled Talking (whew!) to Karlheinz Stockhausen.

The column Random Notes is a fascinating time capsule which provides a glimpse of the events and perspectives of the time. The column Acoustics covered stereo equipment and musical instruments that were coming to market.

Album reviews are of Every Picture Tells a Story by Rod Stewart (John Mendelsohn), Ram by Paul McCartney (Jon Landau) Oh! Pleasant Hope by Blue Cheer (lester bangs) Link Wray’s self-titled debut album (John Lombardi), Steppenwolf Gold (Jon Landau), Golden Bisquits by Three Dog Night (Jon Landau), Bad Manors by Crowbar, Peaceful World by The Rascals, Leon Russell and the Shelter People, Jack Johnson by Miles Davis, Winwood by Stevie Winwood, 11-17-70 by Elton John, A Message To The People by Buddy Miles and many, many more.

Book reviews are of Drop City by Peter Rabbit, and Bossmen: Bill Monroe and Muddy Waters.

The film reviews are of The Summer of ’42 starring Gary Grimes and Jennifer O’ Neill, and Woody Allen’s Bananas.

The Musicians Free Classified provided a no-cost method of networking for musicians.

Full page advertisements for album Every Picture Tells a Story by Rod Stewart, debut album Mark - Almond, a series of classical music albums with a caricature of Beethoven flashing the peace sign, live album 11-17-70 by Elton John, album Grin by Nils Lofgren, AMPEG amplifiers, album Songs For Beginners by Graham Nash, album Bird On A Wire by Tim Hardin, Budget Tapes & Records, and Rolling Stone posters.

There is tons more vintage advertising and photos of our music and entertainment icons looking much younger.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 85 June 24, 1971

Vintage issue # 85 of Rolling Stone magazine dated June 24, 1971 and featuring First Daughter Tricia Nixon on the cover.

Besides the cover article, there are good reads on comedian Lenny Bruce, Jane Fonda's anti-war activism, an article lamenting the rise of LP retail prices to $5.98, Rita Coolidge, the all girl band Fanny, Barbra Streisand, the making of the documentary film "Derby" about the sport of Roller Derby, Jeff Beck, the Jesus Revolution, Van Morrison, the Mouseketeer Club and Disneyland circa 1971.

Album reviews are of Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon by James Taylor, The Best of the Guess Who, Carpenters self-titled album, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Live In Europe by John Mayall, Ring of Hands by Argent, Curtis Live by Curtis Mayfield, Earth, Wind and Fire's debut album and many, many more.

Film reviews are of Johnny Got His Gun starring Timothy Bottoms and Sweet Sweetback's Badass Song directed by Melvin Van Peebles.

Book reviews are of Bob Dylan's Tarantula and The Whole Earth Catalog.

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 79 April 1, 1971

Vintage issue # 79 of Rolling Stone magazine dated April 1, 1971 featuring Captain Beefheart playing harmonica on the inside cover.

Articles: James Taylor / Ray Charles / David Bowie / Cat Stevens / Melanie / The Altamont Trial / The Greening of Nicholas Johnson / Captain Beefheart / Rolling Stones.

Album Reviews: Jimi Hendrix The Cry of Love / Neil Diamond Gold / Led Zeppelin II / The Raiders / Carly Simon's debut album / Barbara Streisand Stoney End / The Hollies Moving Finger

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 77 March 4, 1971

Vintage issue # 77 of Rolling Stone magazine dated March 4, 1971 and featuring Bob Dylan on the ouside cover and Stephen Stills on the inside cover.

Besides the coverage on the release of Dylan's film, Eat The Document, there are feature length articles entitled A Conversation With Stephen Stills, Bringing It All Back Home (Saul Alinsky), and The Alan J. Weberman Story.

There are good reads on Spiro Agnew, Paul Butterfield, Ginger Baker, Led Zeppelin, Eric Burdon, the Allman Brothers, Tom Fogerty leaving Creedence Clearwater Revival, JOhn Lee Hooker, Fats Domino, Odetta, Jim Morrison, Little Richard, the Carpenters, Joni Mitchell and reggae music.

The column Random Notes is a fascinating time capsule which provides glimpses of the events and perspectives of the time. The column Acoustics covered stereo equipment and musical instruments that were oming to market.

Album reviews are of Elvis Country by Elvis Presley, Words and Music by Jimmy Webb, Two Years On by the Bee Gees, Jo Mama by the same, Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus by Spirit, Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, a survey a recent blues releases and many, many more.

Book reviews are of Trial by Tom Hayden, and of a trio of books by Jack Kerouac including Lonesome Traveler. There is also a weird poem by Timothy Leary and a short essay by Eldridge Cleaver.

The film reviews are of Little Big Man directed by Arthur Penn and starring Dustin Hoffman, Dynamite Chicken and Brand X. The Musicians Free Classified section is of the East Coast.

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 76 February 18, 1971

Vintage issue # 76 of Rolling Stone magazine dated February 18, 1971 and featuring James Taylor on the cover.

Besides the excellent feature length article on Taylor, there are good read on John Lennon, Sam and Dave, bluesman Otis Blackwell, guitarist Roy Buchanan, Frank Zappa, Mama Cass, the band Seatrain, an expose of drugs in schools, and an interview with Canned Heat's guitarist Al Wilson shortly before his death.

Album reviews are of Pearl by Janis Joplin, Tumbleweed Connection by Elton John, Back Home Again by Norman Greenbaum, Wrong End of the Rainbow by Tom Rush, Tea for the Tillerman by Cat Stevens, The Man Who Sold the World by David Bowie, Live by the Butterfield Blues Band, Naturally by Three Dog Night, What About Me by Quicksilver Messenger Service, Boss Man by Charlie Rich and many, many more.

Singles reviewed are Remember Me by Diana Ross, If I Were Your Woman by Gladys Knight and the Pips, I hear You Knockin' by Dave Edmunds, Ride a White Swan by Tyrannasaurus Rex (later shortened to T. Rex), and Love For Sale by Roy Brown.

Film reviews are of Robert Altman's Brewster McCloud and a few others.

Book reviews are of The Movement Toward a New America, Shards of God - a novel of the Yippies and Defiance No. 1 A Radical Review.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 75 February 4, 1971

Vintage issue # 75 of Rolling Stone magazine dated February 4, 1971 and featuring the classic cover of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

Besides Jann Wenner's excellent feature length interview of John Lennon, with photos by Annie Leibovitz, there is also an excellent interview of Charles A. Reich, author of the seminal book The Greening of America. Finally there is a great article on Jesse Colin Young and the Youngbloods.

There are good reads on the London underground scene, underground disk jockey John Peel, Decca Record's John King, Grand Funk Railroad, Leslie West and Mountain, The J. Geils Band, rock venue The Boston Tea Party, the stage production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, a Leonard Cohen profile and one on bluesman Robert Johnson. There is also an excellent four page pictorial called It Happened in 1970 - Rolling Stone's Annual Awards for Profundity in Arts and Culture.

The column Random Notes is a fascinating time capsules which provides a glimpse of the events and perspectives of the time. The column Acoustics covered stereo equipment and musical instruments that were coming to market.

Album reviews are of His Band and the Street Choir by Van Morrison, Blows Against The Empire by Paul Kantner, The Worst of the Jefferson Airplane by Jefferson Airplane, Whales & Nightingales by Judy Collins, Pendulum by Credence Clearwater Revival, Watt by Ten Years After, We Got to Live Together by Buddy Miles, That's the Way It Is by Elvis Presley, Ry Cooder by Ry Cooder, A Pocket Full of Miracles by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Little Feat by Little Feat, Ginger Baker's Air Force 2 by Ginger Baker, Rick Sings Nelson by Rick Nelson, Tarkio Road by Brewer and Shipley and many, many more.

The singles Apeman by the Kinks, Celia of the Seals by Donovan and Lonely Days by the Bee Gees are also reviewed.

Book reviews are of Future Shock by Alvin Toffler and Soledad Brother by George Jackson. The film reviews are of Rio Lobo by director Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne, and This Man Must Die by French Director Claude Chabrol.

Rolling Stone's Top Ten Films of 1970 is presented and the genre of Chinese action films is examined.

There is also tons of vintage advertising and photos of our music and entertainment icons looking much younger!

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 74 January 21, 1971

Vintage issue # 74 of Rolling Stone magazine dated January 21, 1971 and featuring the classic cover of John Lennon. This was one of the first covers Annie Leibovitz shot for the magazine.

The "inside" cover is of a bearded, and very pensive Paul Simon.

More to follow on this issue.......check back again!

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 67 October 1, 1970

Vintage issue # 67 of Rolling Stone magazine dated October 1, 1970 and featuring a classic cover of Felix Cavaliere and The Rascals.

The inside cover is of a tatoo artist inking a large spider on the curvy ass of a female client. Tattos for nuthin' and his chicks for free?

Besides the feature length cover story on the Rascals called The Blackest White Group Of All, the gonzo journalist himself, Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, weighs in with a seminal piece entitled - are you ready for this - The Battle of Aspen Freak Power in the Rockies. You see, Mr. Thompson was a candidate for sheriff there....and....let's just say....the townsfolk were not necessarily embracing his candidacy.........Something about him not being able to enforce their drug laws because he would be too busy breaking them.

The music festival on the Isle of Wight in Britain receives extensive coverage as does the renaissance in the art of tattooing.

The column Random Notes is a fascinating time capsule which provides a glimpse of the events and perspectives of the time.

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 64 August 6, 1970

Vintage issue # 64 of Rolling Stone magazine dated August 6, 1970 and featuring the classic cover of Janis Joplin.

Besides the excellent feature length article Janis Joplin's Full-Tilt Boogie Ride, there is a full length essay on rock festivals. There is a composition on someone named Wavy Gravy. He must have been influential because the article is six pages long! the band Traffic is also chronicled in a lengthy piece.

There are good reads on the Stones album Get Yer Yas Yas Out, Ringo Starr, Mike Bloomfield, Donovan, the Byrds, fall album releases including Led Zeppelin III, and After The Gold Rush by Neil Young.

The column Random Notes is a fascinating time capsule which provides a glimpse of the events and perspectives of the time.

Album reviews are of Jesse Winchester's debut album, My Whole World Ended by David Ruffin, Benefit by Jethro Tull, King Kong - Jean Luc Ponty Plays the Music of Frank Zappa, Spanish Moss by Doug Kershaw and many, many more.

Book reviews are of My Lai 4 by Seymour Hersh, Jim Morrison's first book of poems The Lords and The New Creatures and One Morning In The War by Richard Hammer.

The film review is of Catch 22, directed by Mike Nichols and starring Alan Arkin.

So where were you and what were you doing around the time this issue hit the newsstands. Post up and share anecdote to help us all reminisce a little. Thanks!

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 63 July 23, 1970

Vintage issue # 63 of Rolling Stone magazine dated July 23, 1970 and featuring a classic cover of David Crosby smiling goofy.

Besides the feature length interview of Crosby and his perspectives on Crosby, Stills & Nash (as well as the music scene circa 1970) there is an extended analysis of the recording of the album Self Portrait by Bob Dylan.

The column Random Notes is a fascinating time capsule which provides a glimpse of the events and perspectives of the time.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Rolling Stone magazine # 61 June 25, 1970

Vintage issue # 61 of Rolling Stone magazine dated June 25, 1970 and featuring the classic cover illustration of Charles Manson.

Besides the epic feature length essay on Manson, his background, the Manson family and the murders, there are also good reads on the music and campus scene post Kent State, Eric Clapton, a multiarts festival in Bellingham, Washington, a place called Dinkytown near the University of Minnesota, the musical Hair, and Little Richard.

Album reviews are of Chicago II by Chicago, various other albums dubbed Big Band Rock, Burrito Deluxe by the Flying Burrito Brothers, Together by Jerry Lee Lewis, Silk Purse by Linda Ronstadt, Two Trips by The Youngbloods, and many, many more.

Book reviews are of Do It by Jerry Rubin and Speed by William Burroughs.

The film review is of Let It Be by the Beatles.

There are full page advertisements for Jesse Winchester’s debut album, Edgar Winter’s debut album, album Burrito Deluxe by the Flying Burrito Brothers, ASCAP (...more dough re mi...), album Live Cream, album Cucumber castle by the Bee Gees, album Bitches Brew by Miles Davis, live album by the Association, Stax Records the Memphis Sound, SONY music, Kustom amplifiers and Rolling Stone subscriptions showing 18 vintage magazine covers.

So where were you and what were you doing around the time this issue hit the newsstands. Post up and help us all reminisce a little!

Rolling Stone magazine # 59 May 28, 1970

Vintage issue # 59 of Rolling Stone magazine dated May 28, 1970 and featuring a classic cover of whop bob a doo la a whop bop bang singin' Little Richard.

The "inside" cover is a great photo of Beatle George Harrison. Besides the feature length cover story on Little Richard, there are good reads on Cream, Janis Joplin, Paul Simon and Bob Dylan in the studio recording with George Harrison.

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 58 May 14, 1970

Vintage issue # 58 of Rolling Stone magazine dated May 14, 1970 and featuring a classic cover photo of Captain Beefheart.

Besides the excellent feature length article on Captain Beefheart entitled I’m Not Even Here, there is revealing interview with Pete Townshend of the Who. Check out the photo of Captain Beefheart’s personal manager - he is a dead ringer for actor Robert De Niro.

There are also good reads on the Beatles breakup, the Winter’s End Festival in Orlando, the Le Bourget rock festival in Paris. canyon squatters in Canyon, California, B.B. King, Canned Ham, Isaac Hayes, hashish, being locked up in the Orange County jail (written by Timothy Leary ) and John Sebastian.

The columns News & Opinion and Random Notes are fascinating time capsules which provide glimpses of the events and perspectives of the time. The column Acoustics covered stereo equipment and musical instruments that were coming to market. The Musician‘s Free Classified helped bands get started all over the country.

Album reviews are of McCartney by Paul McCartney, Shazam by The Move, Pop origins by Various Artists, Shady grove by Quicksilver Messenger Service, Back in the USA by the MC5, Sentimental Journey by Ringo Starr, Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Simon & Garfunkel, Badfinger’s debut album, At Home by Bob Dylan and many, many more.

Book reviews are of The Mad Club by Michael McClure, Them by Joyce Carol Oates and the Story of the Blues by Paul Oliver.

The film review is of the rerelease of Fantasia by Disney. Wonder if this was tied into any recommendations on which drug to take before your trip to the local theatre.

There are full page advertisements for the album Come Together by Ike & Tina Turner, album Contribution by Shawn Phillips, album Sentimental Journey by Ringo Starr, album McCartney by Paul McCartney, album Ladies of the Canyon by Joni Mitchell, album Silk Purse by Linda Ronstadt, debut album Mott the Hoople, The First Step by the Small Faces, album Band of Gypsys by Jimi Hendrix, and SONY music.

So where you and what were you doing around the time this issue hit the newsstands? Post up and share with the group!

Rolling stone magazine issue # 54 March 19, 1970

Vintage issue # 54 of Rolling Stone magazine dated March 19, 1970 and featuring the classic cover of Sly and the Family Stone. Wonder if they were on time to the photo shoot? The inside cover is a haunting photo of John Lennon.

Besides the excellent feature length on Sly entitled Everybody Is A Star, there is an interesting review of the Rolling Stones' Rock and Roll Circus, a tv documentary done for the BBC that was never released. Lots of photos of the Stones in outrageous getups.

Finally there is a classic interview with Jimi Hendrix entitled Hendrix: The End of a Beginning Maybe.

There are also good reads on the Stones and the making of their live album, bluesman Slim Harpo, Traffic, Bob Dylan, Jesse Winchester, Little Richard's appearance at the Coconut Grove, the marijuana legalization movement, the Amsterdam drug scene and musicians from India known as the Bauls, The column Random Notes is a fascinating time capsule which provides a glimpse of the events and perspectives of the time.

Album reviews are of Moondance by Van Morrison, written by legendary rock critic Lester Bangs, Spirit In The Sky by Norman Greenbaum, Shocking Blue by Shocking Blue, See by the Rascals, Sit Down Old Friend by Dion and many, many more.

The singles I Want You Back by the Jackson Five and Everybody Is A Star by Sly and the Family Stone is also reviewed.

The film review is of Little Big Men starring Dustin Hoffman and directed by Arthur Penn. There are several photos of the film being shot on location.

So where were you and what were you doing around the time this issue was released? Post up and let us know!

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 53 March 7, 1970

Vintage issue # 53 of Rolling Stone magazine dated March 7, 1970. The feature length interview of author Ken Kesey is entitled The Ken Kesey Movie. It chronicles the discussions and negotiations (with Kirk and Michael Douglas), and slow progress in bringing Kesey's book One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to the big screen. There is also a good article on Japanese rock 'n' roll.

There are good reads on the Grateful Dead drug bust, the Beatles, Delaney Bonnie and Friends and FCC censorship of FM radio by the Nixon Administration. The column Random Notes is a fascinating time capsule which provides a glimpse of the events and perspectives of the time.

Album reviews are of Diana Ross Presents the Jackson Five, The Autumn Stone by the Small Faces, Hot Rats by Frank Zappa, The Many New Sides of Charlie Rich by Charlie Rich, Don't It Make You Want To Go Home by Joe South, American Woman by the Guess Who and many, many more. The discography of 50's rocker Gene Vincent is also presented in memoriam.

Book reviews are of The Blues Line compiled by Eric Sackheim, and A Child's Garden of Grass by Richard Clorfene. The Blues Line is especially intriguing as it is a compilation of classic blues lyrics.

The film review is of Zabriskie Point directed by Micheangelo Antonioni and the documentary Fidel about Fidel Castro.

There is also tons of photos of our music and entertainment icons looking much younger, and vintage advertising. Check the advert for the Chicago II album "With this album, we dedicate ourselves, our futures and our energies to the people of the revolution....and the revolution in all its forms." One can just imagine the production meeting on that puppy.

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 48 December 13, 1969

Vintage issue # 48 of Rolling Stone magazine dated December 13, 1969 and featuring the classic cover of Miles Davis. Mick Jagger is featured on the inside cover.

The excellent feature length interview of Miles Davis - did you know he was a near-pro caliber boxer - has many vintage photos of him before he had adopted his trademark sunglasses. There is extensive coverage of the Rolling Stones U.S. tour. And in 1969 they were at the height of there powers. Lots of photos there too.

There is also a captivating composition on Robby Robertson. Finally there is an absorbing essay entitled The Environmentalists, which chronicles the nascent environmental movement that would later lead to Earth Day, the EPA, Clean Air Laws etc.

There are also good reads on Janis Joplin, the Kinks, Jim Morrison, Ginger Baker, Bill Graham, Joni Mitchell, the Masked Maurauders, the Zombies and the arson fire at Chicago's Kinetic Playground. The column Random Notes is a fascinating time capsule which provides a glimpse of the events and perspectives of the time.

Album reviews are of Memphis Swamp Jam, an excellent blues compilation, Original Recordings by Dan Hicks and His Lot Licks, Dimensions by the Boxtops, Area Code 615 by 615, Life's Little Ups and Downs by Charlie Rich, Then Play On by Fleetwood Mac, She Belongs To Me by Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band, Tadpoles by the Bonzo Dog Band, Stand Up! by Jethro Tull, Keep On Moving by the Butterfield Blues Band, Greatest Hits by the Dells and Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin.

The Zep review begins "This is one heavyweight of an album! Dig: I listened to it on mescaline, some old Romilar, novocain and ground up Fusion, and it is just as mind -boggling." I don't know where they got this reviewer, but you won't believe the rest....trust me.

Book reviews are of The Story of Rock by Carl Belz, Electric Tibet by James Doukas, and The Age of Rock - Sounds of the American Cultural Revolution edited by Jonathan Eisen.

The Stones' film Sympathy For The Devil, directed by Jean-Luc Godard is reviewed. Woody Allen's Take The Money and Run is also profiled, as is the cult film Lion's Love.

Rolling Stone magazine issue # 47 November 29, 1969

Vintage issue # 47 of Rolling Stone magazine dated November 29, 1969 and featuring the classic cover portrait of Bob Dylan.

Besides the excellent feature length interview of Dylan, there is a fascinating story on Apple Record's finances and how it was brought back from near financial ruin by Allen Klein. The fifth Beatle, Brian Epstein, apparently had the lads enter into some really terrible royalty contracts.

There are also good reads on the Coasters, the Beatles film Let It Be, the Stones, Andy Warhol, the "Paul is Dead" rumours about Paul McCartney, the Diana Ross' split with the Supremes, the Byrds, Elvis, the Who, Johnny Cash, the death of author Jack Kerouac (written by legendary rock critic Lester Bangs) and the revival of Fifties rock 'n' roll. The column Random Notes is a fascinating time capsule which provides a glimpse of the events and perspectives of the time.
Album reviews are of Bob Dylan's discography. The film review is of Medium Cool by director Haskell Wexler.

There is also tons of vintage advertising and photos of our music and entertainment icons looking much younger.

Rolling Stone magazine issue 45 November 1, 1969

Vintage issue # 45 of Rolling Stone magazine dated November 1, 1969 and featuring a classic cover of a buff and youthful looking Tina Turner. Interestingly there is no article on Tina, or even Ike. I guess back then the editors just got who they could to pose for the cover. The “inside” cover is of the Reverend Wilbert Minzey of the Shiva Fellowship Church......see what I mean.

The article on the Shiva Fellowship is entitled A Temple of Cannabis. There is also a report called Straight Dope on the Crisis which chronicles how American dealers were managing the cannabis shortage. There is a profile on Johnny Cash, and one on the blues music scene. The photo of Howlin’ Wolf on stage wearing a baseball cap backwards might have been what started that trend. The RS interview is with Phil Spector and is feature length. Writer Tom Wolfe also contributes a profile on Spector.

There are also good reads on the band Taj Mahal, that year’s Monterey Jazz festival, and getting stoned on Mount Tamalpais. The column Random Notes is a fascinating time capsule which provide glimpses of the events and perspectives of the time. The Musicians Free Classified section was an important national networking forum for aspiring rock bands looking for that last missing piece.

Album reviews are of Arthur by The Kinks, Words and Music By Bob Dylan by The Hollies, Kozmic Blues by Janis Joplin, The Chantels by the Chantels, Tracy Nelson Country by Mother Earth, Dusty in Memphis by Dusty Springfield (written by Greil Marcus), Melanie by Melanie Safka and many, many more. The book review is of The Making of a Counter Culture by Thoedore Raszak.

Full page advertisements are for KOSS headphones, Buddha Records series entitled The First Generation: Rock / Blues / Early Soul, the album Whatever’s Right by Lonnie Mack, the album The Music by The Band, the debut album by the Swedish band Blond, the blues album Fathers and Sons by various artists, the album Generations by Electronic Music, the album On Time by Grand Funk Railroad, an industry publication called Official Talent & Booking Directory. My favorite tho is a small add for the soundtrack to the film Easy Rider on 8-track tape!