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Chubby Checker, 83, Finally Makes Rock Hall Nominee List with Cyndi Lauper, Bad Company, White Stripes, Joe Cocker

Roger Friedman
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Chubby Checker, 83, Finally Makes Rock Hall Nominee List with Cyndi Lauper, Bad Company, White Stripes, Joe Cocker

Chubby Checker has finally made the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees list.

He made “The Twist” a pop smash twice, in 1961 and 1963. But he was always snubbed in the old days because The Twist was a cover song. It’s the worst blight on the Rock Hall history.

But now it can be righted.

“The Twist” and “Rock Around the Clock” were originally recorded by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters. That group was inducted years ago. But Chubby aka Ernest Evans. And Bill Haley and the Comets, who had the respective hits, were denied induction.

This was absurd. Those singles helped create rock and roll musically and culturally.

Other nominees include Cyndi Lauper, Bad Company. The White Stripes, Phish, and Soundgarden plus less qualified acts like Billy Idol, Mariah Carey, the Black Crowes, Outkast, and Latin group Mana.

The other legacy nominee is Joe Cocker, who should absolutley be inducted. Cocker is responsible for key rock records, hsi gravelly voice is also one of the hallmarks of rock and roll.

Chubby Checker Finally Gets His Revenge: Billboard Names “The Twist” Number 1 Record of All Time

Paul McCartney, 82, Plays Surprise 22 Song Show at Tiny — 575 Capacity — NYC Club

Roger Friedman
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Paul McCartney, 82, Plays Surprise 22 Song Show at Tiny — 575 Capacity — NYC Club

Paul McCartney has an unending energy.

On Sunday he was in New Orleans at the Super Bowl.

Tonight, he played a surprise show at the tiny Bowery Ballroom way downtown. The 575 capacity room sold all its tickets in 15 minutes after an announcement at noon

McCartney plays another show Wednesday night and possibly one more on Friday night. On Sunday, he’s featured on the “SNL50” show on NBC.

Whew!

The 22 song set tonight lasted 90 minutes. McCartney opened with “A Hard Days Night” and closed with the “Abbey Road” medley.

In between there were 11 Beatles songs like “Hey Jude” and “Lady Madonna.” The others were from his solo career, There was even “Now and Then,” the ‘final’ Beatles song released last year, reconstructed from a John Lennon demo. But McCartney omitted “Band on the Run,” which itself was a surprise.

As a nod to the approaching Valentine’s Day, he sang “My Valentine.” I told you last week he recently collaborated with Barbra Streisand on a duet for her coming album.

But there’s so much you can do in half as long a show as usual. And don’t forget, this isn’t a seated event. Everyone stood. When I was there two summers ago to see The Pretenders, it was a sweaty but exciting event.

The whole shebang continues Wednesday night, more than likely at the slightly larger Irving Plaza. McCartney loves these impromptu club dates. He used to do them with Wings in the early 70s, just setting down at various small venues. It reminds him of he Beatles early days, and we are the better for it.

Kanye West’s Online Store Selling Nazi Merchandise Disabled by Shopify, Also Dropped By Agent

Roger Friedman
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Kanye West’s Online Store Selling Nazi Merchandise Disabled by Shopify, Also Dropped By Agent

Good news.

Kanye West’s website, Yeezy.com, is no longer functional.

It’s been disabled by Shopify.com after West sold t shirts with swastikas.

They were the only item remaining on the site, which previously sold generic t shirts and pants.

West should have taken notice that Shopify is owned by Harley Finkelstein, grandson of Holocaust survivors. Finkelstein is to be commended for taking swift action.

At this point, Yeezy.com is worthless, as is the Yeezy name after being associated with antisemitism. And extreme antisemitism at that.

West — who goes by the name Ye — has continually posted vile statements about Jews — and others — for the last couple of weeks.

Prior to that, his earlier antisemitic rants lost him contracts with fashion companies like Adidas.

West’s agent, Daniel McCartney, of 33 and West, has also dropped him, due to “his harmful and hateful remarks.”

His businesses are kaput. He also attacked Jewish record company executives in the last few days, guaranteeing that no music company will ever release his music again.

Now we wait for Spotify to follow Shopify and de-platform Kanye completely.

Trump Installs Stooge as Head of the Kennedy Center, May Prompt Buy Out of Current Chief’s Contract

Roger Friedman
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Trump Installs Stooge as Head of the Kennedy Center, May Prompt Buy Out of Current Chief’s Contract

Well. why not?

Donald Trump — on his rampage to destroy everything — has appointed one of his stooges as head of the Kennedy Center.

Richard Grenell, who has no experience in the arts, culture, or TV production, is now in charge.

The primary question now is what happens to Deborah Rutter, who runs the Center and has done a phenomenal job for years. Seeing the writing on the wall, Rutter tendered her resignation before Trump’s hostile takeover, effective at the end of the year. The Kennedy Center will have to buy her out if they want her to leave now. It’s a miserable situation.

Trump thinks he’s wiping out the “woke” world of the Kennedy Center, replacing sophisticated arts and culture with right wing Christian and country artists.

Many performers who’ve been waiting their turn — like Liza Minnelli or Denzel Washington — will likely be passed over or turn down the invitation. None of the mainstream Hollywood or Broadway players will ever go to Trump’s White House or sit in a box with him.

All that’s left now is for Caroline Kennedy to demand her family’s name be removed from the building. Then it will be re-named for some Trump or Trump himself.

It’s also only a matter of time before McDonald’s is served in the Kennedy Center restaurant.

PS Aside from the Kennedy Center Honors, the organization fills the theater every day with live productions including the National Symphony. If the whole culture changes overnight, watch for Arena Stage and other Washington DC institutions to pick up the slack.

The Weeknd’s Film “Hurry Up Tomorrow” Looks Like the Sequel to “Megalopolis” Crossed with “Idol”

Roger Friedman
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The Weeknd’s Film “Hurry Up Tomorrow” Looks Like the Sequel to “Megalopolis” Crossed with “Idol”

The trailer for The Weeknd’s “Hurry Up Tomorrow” came out a few days ago. It looks dreadful.

“Hurry Up Tomorrow” could be the sequel to “Megalopolis” crossed with Abel Tesfaye’s own horrible “Idol” TV series for HBO.

What’s going on here? That’s anyone’s guess.

The movie hits on May 16th along with an expanded version of the album that was released last Friday.

To paraphrase the 80s hit, “No one is waiting for the weekend.”

SOS: David Johansen of Seminal NY Dolls, Buster Poindexter Fame Has Stage 4 Cancer, Sets Up Fund on Sweet Relief

Roger Friedman
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SOS: David Johansen of Seminal NY Dolls, Buster Poindexter Fame Has Stage 4 Cancer, Sets Up Fund on Sweet Relief

David Johansen, aka Buster Poindexter, is in trouble and needs our help.

Known as one of the New York Dolls — the original, seminal punk band — Johansen’s wife, Mara Hennessy has revealed he has stage 4 cancer and must raise funds quickly.

The Dolls were part of the bedrock of NY punk along with the Ramones and other groups in the early 70s. By 1977, there were revered.

In the early 80s, Johansen created the personality of Buster Poindexter. His hit, “Hot Hot Hot” was a blockbuster. But he didn’t write it. So when it’s played on the radio or in commercials, he’s not getting a dime.

His daughter, Leah, writes on SweetRelief.org: “David has been bedridden and incapacitated. Due to the trauma, David’s illness has progressed exponentially and my mother is caring for him around the clock… he is physically debilitated and his care exceeds what we are capable of providing without specialized professional help…for the past five years, David has been unable to work as a performer.”

This is just rotten. Please donate. Click here for the donation page.

Lady Gaga Super Bowl Performance Sends “Hold My Hand” to Number 2, Sets Up Huge Album Launch

Roger Friedman
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Lady Gaga Super Bowl Performance Sends “Hold My Hand” to Number 2, Sets Up Huge Album Launch

Just as she “won” the Grammy Awards, now Lady Gaga taken the Super Bowl.

Gaga’s performance of “Hold Your Hand” from “Top Gun Maverick” has sent the 2022 single up the charts to number 2.

That gives Gaga three singles in the top 10 including “Abracadabra” and “Die with a Smile.” The latter two are on her new album, “Mayhem,” coming March 7th.

There are reports that “Mayhem” already has advance sales of 200,000. Amazon has it at number 14.

The new number 1 album this week is The Weeknd’s “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” with 450K in sales including 320,000 in actual albums.

But “Hurry Up Tomorrow” has no singles. The result is that it’s been toppled at number 1 by Kendrick Lamar. It’s already fallen to number 10. The Weeknd’s people should have gotten him on the Super Bowl. Big mistake.

But go go Gaga! She’s going to be the story for all of March at least. Nicely played!

“SNL 50” Special Adds Former Cast Members Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin– No Dan Aykroyd So Far

Roger Friedman
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“SNL 50” Special Adds Former Cast Members Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin– No Dan Aykroyd So Far

Lest anyone worry about who’s on this Sunday’s “SNL 50” live show on NBC…

Lorne Michaels just announced a ton of A list former cast members.

They include Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman, and Garrett Morris from the original Not for Prime Time Players.

Also Eddie Murphy and more recent stars like Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Molly Shannon and on and on…

Curiously, Dan Aykroyd’s name isn’t in the announcement. Aykroyd recently posted two notes to social media:
“Cracking a Head for some Clean-Tinis as we hotly anticipate the SNL 50th milestone in our culture and an unparalleled comedy extravaganza to come. Hopefully this year’s outstanding cast gets to fuse with veterans. I’m so proud of being associated with my comedy alma mater and its Dean Lorne Michaels.’

also
“Cracking a Head for one solo cold shot to even my exuberance for the SNL 50TH when we will see one of the greatest nights in television and indeed American culture. The cameos and guest appearances from 50 years of SNL will have us agog. Forte? Ferrell? Martin? Martin Short?”

“SNL” Books All Star Guests for 50th Anniversary Show, Fans Choose All Time Fave Character in Brackets Game

Kanye West Wipes Social Media Accounts Clean, Sells Only Swastika T Shirt for $20 on Website

Roger Friedman
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Kanye West Wipes Social Media Accounts Clean, Sells Only Swastika T Shirt for $20 on Website

The only product you can buy on Yeezy.com is a t shirt emblazoned with a swastika. It costs $20.

Otherwise, all the other items on Kanye West’s website are gone, including a Sean John t shirt meant to support Sean Diddy Combs.

Also gone is all of West’s social media posts on Twitter and Instagram. This follows more than a week and hundreds of disgusting antisemitic tweets.

It’s unclear if West or someone on his team erased the posts, or if Twitter X contacted him.

This column DM’d Twitter executive Linda Yaccarino asking her to take them down.

“Friends” star David Schimmer also posted a strong message to X owner Elon Musk to remove the account. He wrote:

“We can’t stop a deranged bigot from spewing hate-filled, ignorant bile…but we CAN stop giving him a megaphone, Mr. Musk…

“I don’t know what’s worse, the fact that he identifies as a Nazi (which implies he wants to exterminate ALL marginalized communities including his own) or the fact that there is not sufficient OUTRAGE to remove and ban him from all social media at this point. Silence is complicity”

In any case, all that remains now is the Yeezy site Nazi t shirt — and that’s despite his wife’s last name being “Censori.” She didn’t censor him, and neither did anyone else. Whenever this episodes occur, the attitude is that “Kanye is off his meds.” It doesn’t matter anymore. He’s a sick man, and he needs to be removed from the public stage.

The deleted texts below are only from yesterday.

Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” Used in Commercial for First Time Ever: The Mighty Have Fallen

Roger Friedman
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Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” Used in Commercial for First Time Ever: The Mighty Have Fallen

We write about rock stars selling their catalogs but we don’t talk about what that means.

Tonight, we heard Bruce Springsteen’s signature song, “Born to Run,” in a song for Dove soap. It was sung and played by Gabi Wilson, aka HER Music.

It’s the first time “Born to Run” has ever been in a commercial. But it was bound to happen once Springsteen sold his music catalog for around $500 million. The money has to be made back somehow.

Bruce did a commercial himself in 2021 for Jeep, but it didn’t contain songs. It was just him, talking.

So the mighty have fallen. Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” has been turning up all over the place lately. Sam & Dave’s “Hold On I’m Coming” is very popular. Steve Winwood’s “Gimme Some Lovin” is currently being used for an ice cream commercial.

Every now and then we hear a Beatles song, but it’s always done tastefully and the licenses seem to have short runs.

For people of a certain age, it’s jolting to hear great rock songs of the classic era in this context. But the writers and performers get paid, and it could be worse. The ad agencies could be using hip hop or rap.

There’s a downside, though: I played Carly Simon’s “Anticipation” for a young person recently, and they said, “Oh, the ketchup song.” Yikes!

On Twitter, someone asked E Street Band impresario if he’d ever heard “Born to Run” in a commercial. He answered in the ngative, and said it surprised him.

It surprised us, too.

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