From 28 years ago.
And yes, that is Tom Waits speaking as Tommy the Cat.
Pre-CGI Movie Effects Were Complicated As Hell
In anticipation of this Friday’s new Star Wars movie – which is likely 99% CGI effects – take a gander at how they used to do it back in the day. Jesus, these guys had patience.
Go Ask Alice
A rare peek behind the mask when Alice Cooper was still scaring the adults.
… we have uncovered an interview of Alice Cooper in the midst of the massively successful 1973-1974 Billion Dollar Babies tour. In the video, he is interviewed at the Hotel Hesperia in Helsinki, Finland, discussing his stage persona, rock music, violence, his audiences, and musical influences.
At the time, Alice was in Europe to promote the original band’s upcoming film, “Good To See You Again, Alice Cooper”, which predominately featured live concert footage filmed at the 1973 Sam Houston Coliseum show. Alice then headed to Brazil where the band became the first western band to perform there.
This rare interview filmed by YLE, The Finnish Broadcasting Company for the Finnish TV Show “Iltatähti”, was originally broadcast on April 13, 1974.
They’re Vicious!
Anyone else have a turtle problem? No?
Turbocharged: The Unauthorized Story Of The Cars
On Amazon Prime (for rental, though, $1.99). Completely ridiculous, and I have no idea how accurate it tracks to the band’s actual history. A better writer describes it as
Exaggerated personalities, terrible wigs, and an unorthodox plot make this hilarious film the breath of fresh air the genre needs. Narrated by a snowman a la Rankin/Bass, Turbocharge revolves around The Cars’ reputation for being robotic and boring during live shows, and their supposed determination to correct that perception with the fans. Running alongside that thread is the assertion that bassist Ben Orr was secretly plotting to wrest the control of the group from co-founder and songwriter Ric Ocasek. In an unexpected twist, Phil Collins is delightfully in the middle of it all.
Very low budget, obviously doesn’t have any cars songs in it, and is funnier than it should be.
Shit
Caroll Spinney, AKA Big Bird (also Oscar the Grouch), dead at 85. Another piece of my childhood chipped away.
Music History: Top Singles, Each Decade
Great twitter thread. I’ve included a few hits.
ARCHIE HENDERSON (@jazzemu_) I am a music historian, and with @AdrianRMG I have researched the best-selling single of every decade all the way back to 14,000 BC:
1960s – Herbie Bonson, Do The Crunch pic.twitter.com/9M9fNUJP8k
— Archie Henderson (@archiehench) December 5, 2019
1790s – Beethoven, Post-deafness Acoustic Sessions pic.twitter.com/Wx9xtM1lJb
— Archie Henderson (@archiehench) December 5, 2019
3220s BCE – The People of Babylon, The Aliens Are Gone pic.twitter.com/FsqIMKJAmB
— Archie Henderson (@archiehench) December 5, 2019
I Said Goddamn
I know this is five years old, but it still gets me in the feels.
Whopper and a Forty
Brad Neely (China, Il / Professor Brothers / Harg Nallin Sclopio Peepio) always delivers.