Phish — March 6-8 at Hampton!
We are waiting for official confirmation, but Merry Swankster is saying this thing’s legit:
According to a well connected Merry Swankster source, Phish will announce later today a three night run of reunion shows at Virginia’s UFO shaped Hampton Coliseum next March. Hampton Coliseum was also the site of the 2002/2003 hiatus breaking tour that saw the band perform a triumphant MSG New Years show followed by a trio of Hampton dates.
Hampton was also the site of the November 1998 shows that would eventually be released in box set form commemorating a weekend of legendary, but typical hijinks from the free spirited band. Highlighted by a series of off-beat covers, the shows included Gary Glitter’s “Rock and Roll, Pt. 2″, Ween’s “Roses Are Free”, Beasties’ “Sabotage”, Chumbawumba’s “Tubthumping”, and “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” by Will Smith.
We’ve heard that this one is true! Who’s in? See ya on tour!
MSD Spotlight: Desmond Dekker
Jamaican ska and reggae pioneer, Desmond Dekker, had one of the first international Jamaican hits with “Israelites” in 1968-1969. Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres in 1941 and growing up in Kingston, working as a tailor and a welder, performing called to young Desmond. He auditioned for Derrick Morgan in 1961, an early ska/reggae performer in the rocksteady, skinhead style and a local celebrity, who was impressed and supported Desmond. He started recording in 1963 at Leslie Kong’s (an early influential Chinese-Jamaican producer) recording studio. Desmond was backed in this period by the Cherrypies (later known as The Maytals) who were to soon back Toots Hibbert and Desmond was to move on to the Four Aces as his backing band. Their early output was polite and respectful with titles like: “Honour Your Mother And Father”, “Parents” and “Get Up Edina”.
Performing “The Israelites” and “It Mek” in 1970 at Wembley:
Desmond started performing in the “rudeboy” style, this and a more aggressive approach to music helped to usher in a very successful period in Desmond’s life. Recording “007 (Shanty Town)”(1968), “It Mek”(1969) and “You Can Get It If You Really Want” (1971) within a four year period coupled with heavy touring made Desmond one of the most sought after international recording stars.
The mid-1970′s weren’t as kind to Desmond. He continued a relentless touring schedule, but couldn’t match his earlier chart success. This, coupled with the death of Leslie Kong, his career sputtered and stalled. Desmond’s career limped on, yet he couldn’t catch a break. He declared bankruptcy in 1984. The 90′s were a little kinder to Desmond and recorded some of his old hits with The Specials and performed at countless reggae festivals. Sadly, Desmond passed in 2006 as he was preparing to headline a world music festival in Prague. Rest in peace, Desmond.
Joe’s Garage Musical Opens In L.A.
From Rolling Stone:
Almost 30 years since the original release of Frank Zappa’s unrealized stage play Joe’s Garage, director Pat Towne has brought the Rolling Stone-dubbed “unproducible” musical to Hollywood’s Open Fist Theatre. Joe’s Garage imagines a world where music is banned — the plot follows its protagonist as he discovers the obscene powers of rock & roll, the lazy appeal of religion and the benefits of a nice yellow apron when having sex with a robot (Joe dons that ass-less costume for the bulk of the show).
The show debuted Friday during the first presidential debate, and the irony wasn’t lost on Zappa’s widow, Gail, who says the current political climate was no small factor in finally bringing the show to life. “[Joe’s Garage] is made for people who love this country and love the Constitution,” she told Rolling Stone after the premiere, which she attended with a crew that included daughter Diva. “It’s just so relevant… these are desperate times and people are trying to convince themselves that information is knowledge, and it’s not.” Continue Reading…
