Greg Mitchell's Blog, page 23

Preservation

Nice to see Dave Grohl finally get to New Orleans on his HBO musical road trip last night for the best hour in the series so far (though not enough Prof. Longhair).  Much of story revolved around my beloved Preservation Hall, including cutting a song there.  Here are two of my photos from the site.

Mike Nichols, R.I.P.

I'm old enough to remember Mike purely as TV stand-up act with Elaine May.  Then see Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolff in the theater in '66.  And on to Silkwood and etc.  He ended up living just a few miles down 9W from us and we'd see him in Piermont now and then.  Yes, I forgive him for making a hash of Catch-22.   Partly because of underrated gems such as Charlie Wilson's War.  One of several great scenes. 

AP Posts Cosby Interview

The news service interviewed Bill Cosby a couple of weeks ago and didn't post the whole interview until now, which includes Cosby no comments on rape allegations but then his strong plea to not even air the no comments.

If You Think Lincoln's Speech at Gettysburg Was Short

I'm always amused when I look back at the rather restrained press coverage of Lincoln's Gettysburg address at this time of year--it happened on this date in 1863.  The NYT, for example, focused on other speakers and the weather, and after reprinting all of the key speeches, including Lincoln's, added only this comment:

"Three cheers were then given for the President and the Governors of the States. After the delivery of the addresses, the dirge and the benediction closed the exercises, and the immense assemblage separated at about 4 o'clock."   It then explained that the president soon return to D.C. by train while many others were stuck in humble lodgings in Gettysburg. 

When You're 64

It's happening all around me and today's b-day boy is Graham Parker, who I hung out a bit during his first months of breakthrough in New York.  Here from back then.  Best band across the ocean at that time. 

And Howe

Keith Olbermann tribute to one of my childhood heroes, who is on his deathbed.  Yes, the Babe Ruth of hockey.   Gordie played long enough to play with his two sons.  Below that, his final goal, at age 52--assist to his son.  I can relate a bit:  I've lived long enough to enjoy having my daughter and son-in-law as chief collaborators on my next book, set in Berlin.

Band in the Run

TIME magazine has put up a gallery of most of its covers featuring music folks over the many decades and it serves to remind that these fellows were the first American band to make the cover.  I saw them live in Buffalo a week later.  And some selections from the new Complete Basement Tapes lp.

The Elvis Cover-Up

New book on how the truth of The King's OD was suppressed, and his massive drug-taking in previous years.  From excerpt at Salon:

Four years later it would be established in court that during the seven and a half months preceding Elvis’s death, from January 1, 1977, to August 16, 1977, Dr. Nichopoulos had written prescriptions for him for at least 8,805 pills, tablets, vials, and injectables. Going back to January 1975, the count was 19,012. The numbers defied belief, but they came from an experienced team of investigators who visited 153 pharmacies and spent 1,090 hours going through 6,570,175 prescriptions and then, with the aid of two secretaries, spent another 1,120 hours organizing the evidence. The drugs included uppers, downers, and powerful painkillers such as Dilaudid, Quaalude, Percodan, Demerol, and cocaine hydrochloride in quantities more appropriate for those terminally ill with cancer. In fact, at about 2:00 a.m. on the morning of his death, Dr. Nick was again ready to prescribe.

Up from the Basement

From the new Complete Basement Tapes,  one of the highlights--Richard Manuel singing the first verse of "One Too Mnay Mornings." Then Dylan channels one of my other heroes, Hank Williams, on Hank's "Be Careful of Stones That You Throw."  Below that, the incredibly fun original "Apple Suckling Tree." Then the harshest rocking Bob ever did, losing control during "Under Control."

The Sorkin Non-Parody Parody

Last night from Seth Meyers.


Still winner: