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The Story Of Salem’s Lot

Salem’s Lot scared the living shit out of me when it originally aired as a two-part miniseries on CBS (November 17 and November 24, 1979). Please to enjoy this one-hour love letter, filled with scary clips, wise observations, and neato behind-the-scenes trivia.

In this in depth retrospective I tell the story of Tobe Hooper’s 1979 vampire epic “Salem’s Lot”, based on the novel by Stephen King. I delve deep into its development, production and legacy while providing my own thoughts on the miniseries. Starring: David Soul, James Mason, Lance Kerwin, Bonnie Bedelia, Lou Ayers, Ed Flanders and and Reggie Nalder. Written by Paul Monash and produced by Richard Kobritz. Copyright Warner Bros. Television.

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Starchild and I

What do Paul Stanley and I have in common?  Chest hair?  Makeup?  Goofy stage banter?  Nope.  Not much, really, except for one formative event: at age 5, we were both pole-axed by Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto (Piano Concerto #5).  Here’s PS waxing eloquent on the subject:

I was absolutely god smacked. To know that music could have that kind of power, although I was so young, the music had such heroic qualities to it and mammoth chords. To this day it’s some of the heaviest and most glorious melodies ever. So that really was my introduction to the gravitas that music could have and how emotive it could be. So at the core of music for me is Beethoven.

As for me, it was the first piece of music I fell in love with when Col. Renfield brought home a copy and put it on the ol’ console.  The Beatles came a year or so later.

If you’re interested, there are many good recordings and a handful of great ones.  But to my ears, Rudolf Serkin owned this work.  Here he is with Leonard Bernstein and the NY Philharmonic competing with him for attention.  The winners are we, the listeners.

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Karen Dalton?

Never heard of her, but I’m intrigued! In theaters October 1, on digital November 16.

Blues and folk singer Karen Dalton was a prominent figure in 1960s New York. Idolized by Bob Dylan and Nick Cave, Karen discarded the traditional trappings of success and led an unconventional life until her early death. Since most images of Karen have been lost or destroyed, the documentary uses Karen’s dulcet melodies and interviews with loved ones to build a rich portrait of this singular woman and her hauntingly beautiful voice.

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New Netflix Series

I’ve heard from a few online friends in the last couple of days that this is worth a look. Any of you bastards checked it out yet?

Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children’s games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits — with deadly high stakes.

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Bill, Post Cowsills

https://youtu.be/JzDKWKY62So

Sickeningly talented dude. Bill Cowsill was in Blue Northern from 1977 until they broke up in 1982.

Cowsill moved from Calgary to Vancouver as of 1977, and became a fan of the local band Blue Northern. He began sitting in with the band on a regular basis, and not long after he became a member. In 1979, the group released Blue, a four-song, 12″ EP. Two of the songs were written by Cowsill, who also produced the record. The band’s self-titled album was released on Polydor Records in early 1981, and was co-produced by Cowsill. The band broke up in 1982, notwithstanding continuing public interest, as well as Juno Award and Canadian Country Music Award nominations.

The Blue Shadows was his band from 1992 to 1996.

In 1992, Cowsill became the co-lead singer, with Jeffrey Hatcher, of The Blue Shadows. Cowsill and Hatcher became known for their Everly Brothers-like harmonies. Cowsill regarded his association with The Blue Shadows as his most positive experience as a musician, to that point in his career. In 1993, The Blue Shadows were signed to Sony and released their debut album, On The Floor of Heaven receiving positive reviews. The group found itself at the forefront of a Canadian Alt.country movement. In 2005, Cowsill stated that he considered the title track to the album to be the best song he had ever written.

I’m down the rabbit hole …