Thoughts At Large: May 2009

Sunday, May 31, 2009

LINK WRAY PETITION

Readers of this blog will know about Eric Moore's ongoing petition to have Link Wray inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. But have you participated in this effort? If not, take another look at:

http://inductlinkwray.com/

Here's what I posted in the comments section of Eric's site, after signing the petition:

"This is appropriate in every sense. Link Wray’s importance as an iconic figure of electric guitar history can’t be overstated. He has inspired so many. To ignore his contributions is an act of wanton negligence. Link should be honored in the Rock Hall, and everywhere."

This effort is worthwhile and noble. Join in the good fight, today!

GAS BOOK LISTED ON AMAZON.COM

Congratulations go out to my friend Jay Wright, who just had his book 'GAS - Living With Guitar Acquisition Syndrome' listed on the gargantuan retail site Amazon.com!! This is recognition long overdue for a unique and thought-provoking literary work.

Here is the review of 'GAS' that I posted on the Amazon website:

"I discovered Jay's 'GAS - Living With Guitar Acquisition Syndrome' while perusing guitars listed on eBay. It was an incredibly appropriate way to discover that this creative fellow (and many, many others) share my own passion for plectrum instruments. In the years that have followed, I've introduced new readers to this biblical work, and marveled at their sense of self-realization. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

This book is a 'must-have' for guitarists of every sort. Buy it and experience liberation through the writings of one who has turned this wild affliction into a visionary experience, worthy of honor."

Visit Jay's site at:
http://jaystrings.com

Thursday, May 28, 2009

VINTAGE NEW YORK PUNK ROCK

I LIVED IN CENTRAL NEW YORK FROM 1978-1983. DURING THAT ENERGETIC PERIOD, I HOSTED A TELEVISION PROGRAM CALLED 'PUNK-OUT' ON CHANNEL 13 IN ITHACA. THANKS TO THE MAGIC OF INTERNET SOCIAL NETWORKING, I GET MESSAGES OCCASIONALLY FROM SOMEONE WHO REMEMBERS THAT PART OF MY LIFE.

MIKE, AKA 'PHELPS MUNDIG' SENT MP3 FILES HE'D MADE FROM SOME VINTAGE VINYL THAT CIRCULATED DURING THOSE DAYS IN THE FINGER LAKES REGION.

MY SINCERE THANKS TO 'PHELPS' FOR POSTING THESE TRACKS.

THE 'ENEMIES' RECORDING WAS A 12-INCH VINYL EP. HE SAYS IT CAME OUT IN 1980. THE WRECK 'N' CREW TRACKS ARE FROM A VINYL 45. THE 'SWINDLE' COLLECTION IS A MESS AT THE MOMENT SO I CAN'T FIND ANYTHING HERE. BUT I REMEMBER BUYING THE 'ENEMIES' EP AT DISCOUNT RECORDS IN 'COLLEGETOWN.'

I SAW BOTH BANDS 'BACK IN THE DAY' WHILST ENJOYING THE ITHACA PUNK SCENE. 'WRECK' WOULD DIVE INTO THE AUDIENCE LIKE IGGY POP. AND I REMEMBER A POGO DANCING EPISODE THAT ENDED WITH CHAIRS FLYING AROUND THE VENUE. CRAZY, BUT MEMORABLE.

THESE GUYS PUT ON INCREDIBLE LIVE SHOWS! THEY WERE GONE TOO SOON...

BILLY PIRANHA & THE ENEMIES

Products Of The Street:

Test Tube Baby

Disconnected

X-Ray Spex

Degeneration

WRECK 'N' CREW

Give 'Em A Fight

Radioactive Love

LINK WRAY TRIBUTE AT THE BEACHLAND - TWO

More photos from the May 9th, 2009 Link Wray tribute show organized by Eric Moore:

Link's grandson Chris Webb appeared with his band Stuck In Gear

Chris and Gary Small had undeniable musical chemistry happening at the tribute show

Like grandfather... like grandson

Jason Kay on drums

Webb Wilder closed the marathon show

Webb played most of the set with his ever-present Fender Telecaster

Webb with his Flying V

An honest-to-goodness Supro guitar!

No one could deny that Link was there!

LINK WRAY TRIBUTE AT THE BEACHLAND - ONE

Featured here are photos from the May 9th, 2009 Link Wray Tribute organized by Eric Moore at Cleveland's Beachland Ballroom:

The Beachland Ballroom - complete with its own tavern

Through these doors have passed some of the greatest performers in Rock history

Cleveland's own - The Topcats

The Topcats opened at Eric Moore's Link Wray tribute show

Link Wray's spirit was alive at the tribute show

Tribute concert organizer Eric Moore (center stage) introducing Wraygun

Way-cool Mosrite guitar

Link Wray's Raymen

Beth Wray Webb, Link's daughter

“Rumble, Part Two”

c. 2009 Rod Ice
All rights reserved
(5-09)

Note to Readers: What follows here is a second installment in my coverage of the effort to have legendary guitarist Link Wray inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. At the tribute concert, I was invited to sit with Beth Wray Webb and her family. It was a night that I will cherish forever.

Writing can be tedious work at times. One may need to bring together diverse bits of information to form a coherent story. Yet on other occasions, the craft is easy to embrace.

Some features simply seem to write themselves.

Offering thoughts about our most recent visit to the former Croatian Liberty Home on Waterloo Road in Cleveland was the latter sort of experience.

Acts performing at ‘The Beachland’ have been numerous over the past decade. But last week, Liz and I were treated to a show unlike any other.

For your inspection, allow me to present the article that resulted:

Native Visions Fill The Beachland Ballroom In Link Wray Tribute

CLEVELAND – It was a homecoming of sorts.

Fans rocked and remembered Link Wray on a recent Saturday night at The Beachland. It was appropriate because Alan Freed held his groundbreaking ‘Moondog Coronation Ball’ in this city by Lake Erie. And because the late performer had played this venue before, most recently in 2003.

But attendees experienced something more than simply a well-organized tribute to the late guitar shaman born in Dunn, North Carolina.

They felt the touch of an intangible force greater even than Rock ‘n’ Roll.

To be sure, musical energy echoed throughout the ballroom, as provided by a hero’s roster of performers. Included in the event were The Topcats, Wraygun, Link Wray's
Raymen, Chris Webb with Stuck In Gear, and Webb Wilder. Each delivered passionate testimony to the artistic worth of the world’s most iconoclastic axeman.

Yet many fans agreed that an unseen participant hovered over the stage - one who boasted the mesmerizing power of his Shawnee ancestors.

His photographs loomed large as a background. But Link’s spirit was also there.

The release of ‘Rumble’ in 1958 defined his legacy forever, as a pioneer without equal. By developing the use of unique tonalities and chord structure, he inspired generations of popular and unpopular musicians. Still, greater success and stardom went to those who followed his wandering path.

Link was content to live the life of a Native American scout, stealthily crossing uncharted artistic territory with swiftness and self-confidence.

Eric Moore, who organized the concert, expressed this conundrum in simple language. “He (was) Rock and Roll's greatest underdog.” An ongoing petition to have this influential guitarist inducted into the ‘Rock Hall’ has become his life’s work.

Beth Wray Webb, daughter of the twangy troubadour, brought an extra measure of credibility to the show with her presence. She was persuasive like a spirit guide. Yet humble and gracious to everyone who approached for their own bit of inspiration.

“People say I’ve got my daddy’s personality,” she observed.

Link first learned to play guitar from a little known circus performer called Hambone. Later, he became a master of the plectrum while playing Country & Western music, a popular genre at the time. Then, he was struck by tuberculosis as a result of serving in the Army. The loss of a lung threatened to end his career. But he refused to succumb. Instead, the guitar legend was transformed by that near-death experience.

With ‘Rumble’ his place in Rock iconography was secured.

“We didn’t know daddy was such a big thing until all these people started coming around,” Beth confessed.

Link had run through eclectic musical disciplines that included Jazz, Blues, and the popular tuneography that sired Elvis. Yet he augmented this individualistic style with a dose of low-tech experimentation.

“He put pencil holes in the speaker of his amplifier,” Beth reflected.

The result was a sound never heard in mainstream society. A sort of mystical ‘call of the wild.’ It made him seem like one in the throes of a vision sent from the mountaintops.

“Daddy was very religious,” his daughter observed. “He would say ‘That’s not me playing the guitar. That’s (from) God.’ He always put his heart and soul into his music.”

The scope of his artistic influence eventually overcame all boundaries. Bob Dylan, Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend, Keith Richards, and Davie Allan all drew creative energy from his recordings.

With their tribute performance on Saturday, Link Wray's Raymen demonstrated how he developed from a rebellious toneslinger into a soaring Thunderbird. Compositions like ‘Good Time Joe’ and ‘Switchblade’ provided evidence of a spiritual and artistic journey in progress.

The creator of ‘Rumble’ was not one to rest on his past accomplishments.

Link’s rhythmic bloodline continued when Beth’s son, Chris Webb, was born. “Daddy said Chris would be the one to carry on his legacy,” she recalled. “You know that old saying about giving away the ‘shirt off his back?’ He did that. He believed in giving everybody a break. He was a very humble man. Chris is the same.”

Indeed, his performance at the tribute seemed uncannily like those once delivered by Link himself. Chris exuded a stage presence that evoked the unflagging zeal of his notable grandfather.

His performance quickly had the audience cheering. But perhaps the night’s most surreal moment came when he rendered ‘The Shadow Knows.’ Each burst of laughter that punctuated the tune reverberated with authenticity, as if coming from the great beyond.

Anyone still doubting was moved to believe.

Link knew that his followers had gathered in Cleveland. Chris provided the connection by plugging in his Stratocaster guitar.

Gary Small, on bass, seemed to concur. “This is living history… the grandson of the reason why we are all here!”

The Beachland’s cheering audience seemed to agree.

Eric Moore was upbeat when reviewing the event. “I was happy… all the bands played excellent sets. There were several Rock Hall execs there and I'm sure that the show did help the cause of getting Link inducted. He made the music that makes this all worth fighting for.”

But most poignant was the observation of Kit Slitor, a fan for many years who didn’t make it to Cleveland. After reading about the petition effort, he assessed the situation in bold terms.

“Making a plea that Link Wray be inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame is about like pleading that any of Christ's disciples get included in the New Testament,” he said. “It is like… OBVIOUS!”

After composing this feature, I forwarded a copy to Terry Stewart, President and CEO of the Rock Hall. It seemed best to keep him informed of public desire to have the iconic guitarist recognized by his institution.

Yet afterward, I was struck by a conundrum of sorts.

Link was a heroic figure for fans around the world. His legacy remains clear. The ‘Hall’ would greatly increase it’s own credibility by giving inclusion to one who contributed so much to the musical genre.

I realized that, in a sense, Link didn’t need the Rock Hall… it needed him!

Comments about Thoughts At Large may be sent to: icewritesforyou@gmail.com
Visit us at: www.icehousebooks.com

Monday, May 25, 2009

IN CONCERT: LOS STRAITJACKETS / SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE SKIDS

Here are some of my photos from The Beachland Ballroom on May 22, 2009. Featured were Los Straitjackets and Southern Culture On The Skids. I particularly enjoyed meeting Unsteady Freddie, a hero in the world of 'Surf' music. Also at the show was Eric Moore, creator of the 'Induct Link Wray' petition.

LOS STRAITJACKETS: