Autumn has become the season for reissues, with new iterations of the Rolling Stones Some Girls, the Who’s Quadrophenia and the entire Pink Floyd catalog arriving in “deluxe” editions that contain a a greater volume of so-called bonus tracks than … Continue reading
The presidential teleprompter went missing for a few hours last week, but reports that it was returned intact with no missing items or security breaches may have been premature. It now turns out that a jump drive containing several rough … Continue reading
By Charlie Bermant Sonic Boomers 9/11/09 One of the privileges of my generation is the opportunity to watch the once-mighty play small clubs, but seeing someone of Roger Daltrey’s stature didn’t seem possible. But it’s happening. In preparation for a … Continue reading
Interview: John Sebastian’s Spoonful of Magic By Charlie Bermant (Originally Published: 03/26/2010, Sonic Boomers) The best 1960s bands always sounded so original, when in fact they filtered existing musical idioms such as folk and blues to gain a unique sound. … Continue reading
Three years ago I received an email from one of Martin Scorsese’s people, requesting the audio from a 1987 interview I had done with George Harrison for possible use in a documentary project. I had carelessly lost the tape and … Continue reading
In a previous life you went to several concerts a month, when those who are now rock and roll dinosaurs walked the earth. Today you live in a rural area and don’t get out as much, but in August the … Continue reading
By Charlie Bermant Peninsula Daily News PORT TOWNSEND WA, August 28, 2011— Several weeks ago Upstage Restaurant and Bistro owner Mark Cole found a used copy of “Cahoots,” The Band’s 1971 album on a courtyard table and set it behind … Continue reading
Published in Crosscut on July 15, 2011. Nostalgia for the 1960s isn’t what it used to be. This summer’s concert schedule has only a smattering of golden era bands who try hard, but can’t compete with the records or old … Continue reading
SEATTLE—John Mellencamp played only one song from when he was known only as “Cougar,” and even that was only to fulfill an obligation to people who’d feel cheated if they didn’t hear “Jack and Diane.” He switched it around some, … Continue reading
As rock and roll has matured we have built monuments to the music, with opulent buildings in Los Angeles, Cleveland and Seattle attempting to bottle the magic and put it up for display. Those seeking a musical excursion can visit … Continue reading
Throughout the years, Apple Ayatollah Steve Jobs’ flogging of new products has been a familiar sight, but a rehearsal video for an upcoming Apple product has rattled Microsoft’s cage at the highest level. The product, dubbed iPhone 3K, is positioned … Continue reading
Modern life is messy, if governments aren’t toppling and movie stars misbehaving, natural disasters are reminding us how little control we actually have over our own lives. With all these events the only choice seems to be to go along … Continue reading
POP GROUP KILLED IN RIOT MANILA, PHILIPPINES (REUTERS) JULY 4, 1966— All four members of the Beatles, an internationally famous pop combo with a string of hit records extending over three years, were killed when an uncontrolled mob of fans … Continue reading
Those hearing tapes of last weekend’s Buffalo Springfield reunion, available here get a warm feeling for this lost and lamented band. Legend says their live shows were never captured, and this performance is hardly visionary, but it really is nice … Continue reading
It’s been a prolific summer for John Mellencamp, release wise. A few months ago he brought out On the Rural Route 7609, a combination box set-greatest hits-rarities collection that didn’t seem to have a real point. Those of us who … Continue reading
Jini Dellaccio Taking Aim: Unforgettable Rock ‘n’ Roll Photographs Selected by Graham Nash Chronicle Books By Charles Bermant With “Taking Aim,” an exhibit of rock music photography that opened recently at the Experience Music Project in Seattle, guest curator Graham … Continue reading
<a By CHARLES BERMANT cybermant@gmail.com In 1970, a teenaged bassist named Terry Wilson slipped into a Pasadena, TX club to check out a local band and "was blown away by this tall skinny kid with buck teeth, who had a … Continue reading
In 1970, 16-year-old me was following Neil Young around; learning his songs, going to his concerts (two identical sets on one night!), and counting the minutes until his albums were released. One in particular, After the Goldrush, was particularly anticipated. … Continue reading
While some photographers at the Taking Aim event this weekend at the Experience Music Project in Seattle lamented the romance of the darkroom, Jim Marshall (left, with Joel Bernstein and Graham Nash) disagreed, saying “I haven’t been in the darkroom … Continue reading
Photo by Charlie Bermant Tacoma, WA 1/23/2010 I’ve spent the past month working on a comprehensive Eric Burdon piece, which I will post shortly. While I have watched him for years he was never one of my top five, so … Continue reading
I saw Eric Burdon play in a casino in Tacoma, WA last night, which could be seen as a bit of an indignity for someone who was famous so long ago. He once walked with the giants, and now we … Continue reading
Once upon a time you could go out in public and, if you were not actually famous for something, have a reasonable expectation of privacy. These days, where six of any ten people in any room have a digital camera … Continue reading
