Bruce Springsteen played his classic 1975 album Born To Run in full yesterday (June 20) as a tribute to the actor James Gandolfini, who passed away yesterday at the age of 51.
Age cannot wither him, nor custom stale his finite variety, though he does seem fractionally more concerned about his trousers falling down these days. The ungodly miracle of Iggy Pop, 66 years old, remains one of the most bizarre and compelling spectacles in rock’n’roll; more bizarre and compelling, perhaps, with every year that goes by.
Behind The Candelabra reminds me a little of a Scorsese film, with Michael Douglas’ toupe in particular bringing to mind the extraordinary hairpieces worn by the elderly Midwestern crime bosses in Casino. This is Steven Soderbergh’s frequently hilarious biopic about Liberace and his 6-year relationship with the much younger Scott Thorson. It is a world of palatial kitsch, excess and small dogs, Lear jets, plastic surgeons and boogie woogie piano.
Television and Heartbreakers legend Richard Hell’s autobiography, I Dreamed I Was A Very Clean Tramp, is reviewed by editor Allan Jones in the new issue of Uncut (dated July 2013 and out now) – in this piece from Uncut’s September 2009 issue (Take 148), Hell and his bandmates explain how they created “Blank Generation”, the nihilistic, coruscating punk anthem first written as a “My Generation” for the ’70s New York scene. Words: Damien Love
Stephen Stills has formed a new group, The Rides.
Playing alongside guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Electric Flag keyboardist Barry Goldberg, The Rides are due to release their debut album, Can't Get Enough, on August 26 through Provogue Records.
The 10-track album has been produced by former Talking Head, Jerry Harrison.
The line up on Can't Get Enough is augmented by Chris Layton, Shepherd’s drummer, and CSN bassist, Kevin McCormick.
Scroll down to watch Stills, Goldberg and Shepherd discuss the album.
Jack White has been revealed as the anonymous donor who saved the Detroit Masonic Temple from foreclosure.
White apparently paid off $142,000 (£92,798) in back taxes so his hometown venue - the world's largest Masonic Temple - could stay in business. The Detroit Free Press reports that White's mother formerly worked as an usher at the venue. White – now based in Nashville - also played the venue with The White Stripes.
Jack White and T Bone Burnett are producing a documentary about the American recording industry during the 1920s and 1930s.
The film, which Burnett says is co-produced by Robert Redford and the BBC, will be called American Epic.
Bob Dylan has been nominated for France's Légion d'Honneur.
Dylan had his first nomination reportedly thrown out by the deciding council over his marijuana use and his opposition to the Vietnam War, reports Reuters.
The approval by the Légion d'Honneur council means France's minister of culture may soon decorate Dylan with the honour, which is the country's highest distinction. Previous performers awarded the honour include Paul McCartney and Charles Aznavour.
