Hey Jimmy..I jumped up out of my seat and started shaking my booty to this favorite Little Stevie Miller classic that was my earliest inspiration for Cowboys on Mars ?
...Now, does anybody remember The Steve Miller Band opening at Aquarius SW at 28th Street and Thomas in 1969 ? There was a kid working for us that gave Steve a 2500mike tab of purple owlsey before the second show...As I recall it, Steve went on and did about 45 minutes of "Livin in the USA" with some lyrics that we're not on the album. As Wavy Gravy said, "If you remember the sixties, you wasn't there". If anyone does remember that show please share as the fog of time has blurred my memory.
What a treat it is to be connected to y'all who have indeed shared the evolution of our common cultural evolution in this Valley. Kudos, to us all.
Kick my ass for the past ,but assure me that we are still on the path to some kind of enlightenment. We all get the Willies when wondering what's next and why we even care. Must be something in the waters of wonder that keep us connected and concerned, or just a matter of Mind.
KC the AC/DC of our past must poist a energetic question that demands an answer. Who are we...where we coming from, whats our next destination ? I am not so presumptious as to assume the total awareness of this important question, I would ask all of our community to contribute to the solution of our universal condition. Come on, speak up, tell us of your concerns, fears, desires for tomorrow...Let me know where your coming from and where it is ya want ta go.,..I will respect your opinion and put it in our Play on Words, as it were.
All of you have participated over the years in our ,Way Up-West , future, writing of this play ,and I wish your Words to be heard. Speak to me now of your vision for the Next World we would like to be presented, on the world stage.
Thanks for the forum to present our ideas...We will look foward to your response.
OK, so maybe this is turning more into a Song of the Week (or month), but there's a new one in the left column in honor of Ron and Bob's recent "Cowboys On Mars" post. If you can guess it before it loads, well, I'm sure you know where it's at . . .
Yup, the curtains come down on the web-site hijack caper and I'm trying to concentrate on making every day a day that moves us closer to actually producing the play , live, on stage, with a kick-ass ensemble of Arizona artists and associates.
I really did appreciate your line about putting yo bucks behind this Mission Possible as I have been bereft of such confidence for some time now. Indeed, Ron, it takes a long time to make the story short. Right ?
An yeah, I do need to connect with BBB an request his dramaturge assistance with this Way Up West Epic script. Thanks for the tip.
At this point we've got Richie Albright and Charlie Gearhart (Goose Creek Symphony) on board as well as all the creative Buckaroos I've shucked n jived over the past 21 years to make this bit of play a Hit. Your encouragement is a fine compliment to everyones efforts.
Slagge T. Pyle, aka Jim Heaton has assumed our Webmaster position and our site will be back on line within days and we will again show our work to the world and wish for its approval. Given your impressive web presence [?]we would pray your future enthusiasm, it Ti's a serendipitous blessing on the whole enterprise.
It is so delightful to be back in touch with all of our yesteryear friends and Pals...Little Willie Compton, Waylon and the Boys will be proud of our accomplishments.
Hope to gather us all for a pow-wow soon. We'll be in touch.
Best regards & thanks, always
Bob Gately
Surround yourself with people of impeccable integrity. Karl Eller
Wow! I'm so pleased to hear a different version of this song (I Bid You Goodnight / A Very Cellular Song)! What a nice job they did, too, thanks for sharing.
I finally had a chance to visit the Arizona Music Hall of Fame, too - what a great collection of contributors to the Arizona music scene, and, truth be known, the whole world of music. I'd just like to express my gratitude to all those who helped foster and promote a deep appreciation for the magic of music.
I also visited the KCDX site, and while I'm unable to get the connection to listen to Radio Free Phoenix, the link on the KCDX site worked just fine, and there's good music playing there! I'm curious where that link came from, and wonder who's behind it? Could it be a familiar name from long ago, or perhaps even one of our own KCAC Lives members? Whoever's doing it, I'm glad we've got a link here. Thanks again.
I likewise grew up in Phoenix listening to the great Bill Compton on KCAC and loved the Incredible String Band's "A Very Cellular Song". They probably learned the hymn "I Bid You Goodnight" from a Folkways recording by the great Bahamian singer and guitarist Joseph Spence. Joseph had a very unusual style of singing and playing, not for everyone. My favorite version of the song appeared last year on a CD by the Dixie Hummingbirds entitled "Diamond Jubilation", one of my favorite releases of the year. My brother has since informed me that the song comes from the same hymn tradition as "Amazing Grace" and was also was a common show finale by the Grateful Dead. Perhpas this is more than you ever wanted to know but that song always stuck in my memory as well.
I went on during the late 1970's and 80's to do a free-form program on KJZZ with Reggae and World Beat music and brought Johnny D in to be my partner for the last year. This probably would never have happened if I had not been inspired by KCAC and the great Bill Compton, Toad Hall, Johnny D, and Marty Manning. No station will have us any more. I 'm sure Bill wouldn't be able to find a place on today's commercial radio. What a sad situation.
Mariah Fleming posted a comment earlier saying she's looking for a piece of music called "Parrallelograms" by Linda Perhacs. Although the original record is apparently hard to find [update: e-mail Ron; he's located it], it turns out Perhacs is re-recording her one hit and has even put together a video. What seems like a terrible idea actually sounds . . . not bad. Give it a view/listen here.
But for some reason I cannot think without a joint in my hand, a lighter in my pocket and a warm female body next to me so I am NOT going to tell ya....... nyah, nyah, nyah. Meanwhile some interesting non-musical mechanical counting on the KCAC Lives! blog: Since approximately April 1st the clicker sez we are averaging about 22 hits per day. Some of that is team members checking in, so 20 per day is a good guess for new and returning visitors. We have had 795 "hits" - almost 800 visits that we know of............ Now if there was some way to find all those folks, THAT would be a party!
Ron .....Put your something pada-rum-tum-tum... THERE'S A LITTLE SONG YOU ALL SHOUD SING. Nope, that ain't it. Hhhhmmmmmmm
I've got another "name that tune" pop quiz for KCAC/early KDKB hotshots. What was the song Toad Hall closed his shows with? All I recall is the refrain, "I'd rather be havin' fun/Doing just about anything." I believe Andy Olson knows the answer to this one, but anyone who can also offer a link to where to find/buy it gets extra points.
Hmmm, think we may have stumbled on a way to legally share some of the songs we talk about on this blog. This link downloads a low-fi, but full-length, copy of the Incredible String Band 13-minute opus mentioned in Stephen's post below. It comes from a Russian download site, allofmp3.com, which legally gets through some RIAA loophole to offer songs at 2 cents per megabyte. But the best thing is, they offer full-length copies of the songs for preview. True, the 24 kbps bit rate ain't exactly CD quality, but for a blast from the past (they offer just about any late 60's/early 70's album you can think of), it ain't bad. Click this built-in Quicktime player to begin loading and playing the song Stephen and Ron talk about below. And let us know if it works - we'll start taking requests!
(Geez, I don't remember that violin being that out of tune!)
Got an IM from another DJ from KWFM in Tucson, Doug Grant. Same kind of station, same time warp (1969-1977) and same or similar memories. Good website. Maybe it's a movement!
Hello Ron: I recall KCAC, with William Edward Compton, prior to KDKB. In those days the AM station would sign off at sundown, and every day they played the same piece of music as they went down for the night. I am trying to find out what that song was. I don't recall the name, or the artist, but it was a lovely slow melody with the repeating refrain "and I bid you good night, good night, good night". Hopefully you know somebody who remembers those days, and can tell me the name and artist of that piece of music. I must have it! Thank you for any help you can be. Stephen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey Stephen! I am taking the liberty of posting this at the KCAC Lives! blog so it can be shared. This little blog by the way has had something like 600 serious readers this month!
To answer your question; the song you refer to is by The Incredible String Band from `The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter' and is part III of "A Very Cellular Song". I can think of no song that was more definitive of the spirit of KCAC than that one. The first time I really HEARD it, I was alone, listening in monaural, baking in a little house in Sunnyslope. The experience wasn't "gee-my hair stood on end" or anything like "oh goodness my skin prickled". For me it was a soul-shaking electrifying experience almost like sticking one's finger in a light socket.
I have to say if you experienced anything like that remotely - and in fact you REMEMBER it, you can can count yourself among The Chosen. THAT is the essence and charisma of KCAC, now in (at least) its third incarnation at radiofreephoenix.com
PS... For almost any song you can think of, check out Limewire.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thank You Ron, for getting back to me so quickly.
My experience of this song was simple and profound. I was tuned in every day prior to sunset, feeling the end of daylight as this song comforted me. The experience had few words. Feeling warm and hopeful, something moved inside me in a deep personal place. I was prepared for the coming night with a sense of gratitude.
I am off now to try and find the piece of music. Thank you again. I look forward to perusing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Join the lovely Aleta, from Starbright Ranch, this weekend on Radio Free Phoenix.
Aleta, a Valley artist, will be sharing her 15 favorite songs this evening at 5pm and again on Sunday at 3pm.
The KCAC poster (on display in the lobby of the Dodge Theatre during the Hall of Fame Ceremony) sure was a surprise and it's thanks to John Dixon that it was there for all to see. All the fabulous items you saw were courtesy of John Dixon. John is well known and well respected for his knowledge of music. He has a long history with Arizona music, in fact he is THE recognized expert in AZ Music History. Looking over the posters, LPs, 45s and other memorabilia was a rare treat...a real trip back in time, people loved it, and it was great of him to do that. We're lucky John took the time to bring some of his collection to the Dodge, set up the posters and other collectibles for display, and offer some of his rare and unusual 45's, LPs, CDs and compilations for sale. Arizona is fortunate to have him. He had the foresight and instinct to know what was important to save from the late 60's on. If you want to know about AZ music, or music connected with AZ, John Dixon is the go to guy. For more music info/time lines/detailed rare record info go to www.AzMusicHallofFame.org Thanks to John, for bringing some of his collection to the Dodge for everyone to see. It was one of the highlights of the event. Some smart publisher would do well to peg John to write the definitive book on AZ Music History. It's obvious that no one can do a better job than he can. - Mariah Fleming
Mariah Fleming, longtime creative force in the Valley and link to Phoenix's early underground rock radio scene, will be featured on Radio Freedom , the guest DJ show on Radio Free Phoenix.
Mariah will play her 15 choice selections Saturday at 5pm, with an encore performance Sunday at 3pm.
Radio Free Phoenix program director Andy Olson has confirmed the addition of Fleming as a permanent member of the Radio Free Phoenix airstaff.
Just by a Trick of Fate I stumbled onto Radio Free Phoenix and It feels like Home in here. I grew up in Phoenix listening to KRIZ and KRUX and my all time fave KCAC. I can't begin to tell you what a trip it's been for me to hear Real Music again..and the Memories that have come to life.
In 1970-71 I lived at a little Community in Laveen called Starbright Ranch. My Mother, Father, Sister and I lived in one of the small guest houses at the foot of South Mountain. My Mother use to send me with her fresh baked bread to share it with our Good neighbors...Carol, Ron Worthram, Ray Thompson and "Little Willie Sushine".
When I first met Bill Compton I thought he Looked like Jesus...Hey...I was a 13 year old kid and he was the first Real Hippie I'd ever met. I remember walking into his flat and there was this one whole wall filled from floor to ceiling with shelves of Albums. everything you could Imagine...I'd ask him do you have...and the answer was alwas a Big Smile and he'd pull out the Album..just like Magic! Bills place reminded me of the Hobbit...it was almost Magical...you had to of seen it to know what I mean.
It's been a long time...alot of Old Memories have come back in Living Color...And now that I've found RFP..I've got a feeling I'll be Flashin back to some good memories quite often..and I am spreading the word. I know so many people who would be Trippin to the Tunes Boo. Thank you,Soooo much for RFP...Well Done!
Tuli Kupferberg and their group of cohorts were out making trouble, giving the FBI migranes (the Chicago branch contacted the Washington main office at one point to ask if they should arrest the FAGS for obscenity and un-American activities).
Tuli Kupferberg
Interview by Theresa Stern (June 1997)
PSF: What were you working on before the Fugs?
Well, I was the world's greatest poet before I became the world's oldest rock n'roll star. I wasn't with the Fugs until I was 42 but before that my life was trivial. I went to graduate school for sociology in Brooklyn. I dropped out and became a bohemian, living in Greenwich Village. The rest is mystery and history. It's all one blur now.
I was a free-formist. I never took to the traditional forms. I never bothered to learn them. It's OK to learn the old forms though and study what you've inherited in any art. I valued spontaneity a lot and being young, you're always afraid that you're going to be overwhelmed by the masters so you try to avoid it.
Subject: Fw: Az Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame
Ron,
I sent this to the people that I thought might enjoy it and somehow missed your email address:
Subject: Az Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame
Hi, All,
For those of you unable to attend the AMEHF Ceremony, I thought that I would write my impressions for you. Hans did a masterful job of putting this together. The entire program was done by volunteers. Hans was there to greet people as they came and was back stage making sure everything ran smoothly.
The Master of Ceremonies for the first portion of the program was Marshall Trimble. Marshall is the Official AZ State Historian, teaches history at Scottsdale Community College, poses nude with BBB and writes for TW. The inductees were from eclectic backgrounds - as were the presenters.
There was a brief slide show for each inductee.
Dwight "Red" Harkins was the first recipient. In the early 30's, at the age of 18, Red opened his first of a chain of movie theaters in AZ. He also helped to revolutionize FM radio.
Mike Condello was a musician and music director for the long-running popular children's TV show Wallace & Ladmo.
The founder (Mike Lacey) of newspaper, New Times was next. His award was presented by Renz Jennings. Mike was ill and did not attend. Renz looks great and told Marty that he is farming in south Phoenix, since leaving the Corp Commission.
Dancer/choreographer, Dee Dee Wood was next. She choreographed movies like Mary Poppins and worked with Dick Van Dyke when he filmed his TV show from Carefree. Dee Dee has won many awards.
Native American musician, R. Carlos Nakai performed a flute piece that was wonderful. He has earned two Gold Records and been nominated for six Grammy's.
Wallace & Ladmo were inducted for their children's TV show. Bill Thompson (Wallace) appeared on stage with 2 of the coveted "Ladmo Bags" - which were given to two people in the audience. Had he made it to the correct row and seat for the second one, Bill or Emily would have received it!
World renouned musician, Lalo Guerrero was inducted. Lalo passed away one month ago. His son, Mark, and his son's band played two of Lalo's pieces of music. Lalo recorded and wrote varied types of music - he's been honored by the Smithsonian and many other foundations.
Recording artist, Floyd Ramsey and recording engineer, Jack Miller were inducted.
Jazz pianist, Charles Lewis, was inducted and performed.
Radio & TV personality and member of the Wallace & Ladmo show, Pat McMahon was inducted.
Lew King of the "Lew King Ranger Show" was inducted - award presented by Gary Peter Klahr (remember him?!).
Artist, Fritz Scholder, was inducted.
Award winning writer, Jana Bommersbach, was inducted next. Jana writes for TW and has won too many awards to list.
R & B group, Dyke & the Blazers, performed and were inducted - introduced by Johnny D.
Marshall presented the AMEHOF award to Marty Robbins. Rollie Stevens and a wonderful C&W band performed one of Marty's songs.
Bill's award was presented by his friend, Marty Manning. It was a lovely presentation - Bill would have been honored.
Concert promoter, Dan Zelisko, received his award from Alice Cooper.
We left at entermission and there with performances and awards still to be presented - Jessi Colter, Waylon Jennings, and Glen Campbell. This was to be followed by a jam session and then people were to go to Cooper's Town.
As you can see from those being inducted - this was very entertaining. Because Marshall grew up in AZ and knew many of these performers, he was a great mc and had touching and funny stories. The presenters had great insights about those they were presenting to and those receiving the awards had some great stories. Dan Zelisko told about his first sold out show in the coliseum - Bob Seger - being cancelled the day of the show at 5 PM - and other, now humorous, wins and losses.
Photographer, Lissa Wales, was there taking photos. Some of you will remember her from the "Radio Reunions". Lissa is battling leukemia and hoping to find a bone marrow match. She looks and feels great and is beginning chemo for the second time today.
There were some new and some familiar faces there - Julia Flannigan, Wonderful Russ, Lee Powell, Johnny D, Bob Gately, Andy Olson (Radio Free Phoenix), Jeff Parrets (sp), Dwight Tindle, and Dan Duffy (there with Jessi).
It was fun and I know Bill would have enjoyed it all!
Love,
Carole
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