Sunday, September 21, 2008

Tomorrow night at 10pm on my show, it's a very special edition of "Thinks Pink" featuring former Pink Floyd guitarist and vocalist David Gilmour's latest CD and DVD release "David Gilmour - Live In Gdansk." David will be discussing the new release and playing selected tracks from the concert recorded in Poland on his 2006 world tour. Sadly, this would be the last tour the late Richard Wright would be able to participate in. Much like the late George Harrison of the Beatles, Richard was the "quiet one" in Pink Floyd, but his contributions were immeasurable.

(See David Gilmour's video tribute to the late Richard Wright here: http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/09/24/david-gilmour-pays-tribute-to-rick-wright-with-remember-a-day/)

Ironically a few weeks ago, George Harrison's first wife Pattie Boyd passed through town. Pattie was a former fashion model who first met George on the film set of "A Hard Day's Night" in 1964 and later married him in 1966. George penned the iconic 1968 Beatles song "Something" about her. Eventually their marriage broke down and she would end up marrying George's best friend, Eric Clapton who in turn wrote "Layla" about her in 1970. Pattie recently wrote and published a book about her experiences entitled "Wonderful Tonight - George Harrison, Eric Clapton And Me." After admiring my snakeskin cowboy boots ("where on earth did you get those Byrd?!? I love them!") Pattie shared with me some more humorous anecdotes from her life and some of the photographs from her private collection.

(See a featurette on Pattie Boyd here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFKh4rdg1fQ)

Last night, the current line up of The Doors fronted by Brett Scallions (formerly of the band Fuel) now dubbed "Riders On The Storm" played before a capacity crowd at the House Of Blues. After an introduction from me on stage, the guys delivered a phenomenal show for the frenetic crowd of Loyal Loopers. Hard as it may be to imagine, they were somehow able to improve upon the classic recordings live. Easily the loudest, but best sounding show I have ever witnessed at the HOB, bar none. Exhilarating! South side Polish native Ray Manzarek invited his old classmates from Everett Elementary School to sit on stage with him near his keyboards during the show and then to visit with us backstage and later the next day, to lunch at Rosebud on Rush. Robbie Krieger and I had a chance to catch up as well while observing the parade (soft parade, perhaps?) of starry-eyed ex-school mates. To say they were proud of their former classmate would be putting it mildly.

(See Rider On The Storm perform "LA Woman" live at the HOB here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd7V_-fkpE8)

(See a fan's video for The Doors song "Back Door Man" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ4xsxQSarc)

(See The Doors video for "Peace Frog" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHDSnfHb5nc)

(See The Doors un-censored video for "LA Woman" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyeHgKyvmZU)

(See a pre-Doors Jim Morrison at college in Florida here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WIJd2sLuDA)

Tonight, Live played to a sold out crowd as well at the House Of Blues. As soon as I took the stage to introduce them, I could feel the giddy anticipation from the crowd. The band was in great form too, knocking out energetic note-perfect renditions of their numerous hits for the appreciative Loyal Loopers. After the show, the band and I gathered in the Foundation Room upstairs. Front man Ed Kowalczyk told me the guys will be staying in Chicago for several days as they ready a new concert CD which he informed me will include new songs as well. I'm looking forward to hearing it and sharing it with you in an upcoming edition of the "10 O'Clock News."

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