autographs...

Autographs. Some people give 'em, some people collect 'em. And some people refuse to give 'em. I think it was American actor Keenan Wynn who refused to sign anything, but he would take time to pose for pictures with folks. So here are a few autographs I've collected over the years.

Ron Sexsmith, obtained this one after a concert in St.Catharines. He said, "I don't like using those gold pens," and pulled out a black sharpie. I said, "Please, can you use the gold?" Which he did, of course then it didn't dry for about ten minutes. Still, I think the gold looks good against the tones in the picture.

Bettye LaVette. Purchased this one from her web site. She managed to use one of those liquid silver pens without smearing.

This one came from Newbury Comics. They often have some excellent collectibles, most are available in Canada although sometimes the signed copies are only available to US customers. Glad to have been able to get this one.

Klaus Voormann, the artist who did the Beatles' Revolver and Anthology covers, was also a bass player, and one of the Fab Four's oldest friends from the Hamburg days. I bought one of his signed prints from his web site, and then when this career celebrating CD was released I ordered it as well. He signed in letters big enough for King George to read!

A week after seeing Levon perform at Massey Hall I bought this 3-disc set from his web-site. A bit pricey maybe, the discs have all the bonus tracks and remastered frills removed and sound just like the original albums I fell in love with so many years ago. Nice to have Levon's scrawl on the box.

I now have signatures from the three surviving Band-mates. Remind me to tell you the Garth Hudson story sometime!

a couple great shows...

Bob Dylan and his band at Hamilton Place. Loud, rockin' fun...Bob played only the keyboard all night.



Lindsey Buckingham and his band also at Hamilton Place. One of the greatest shows I've ever seen, anywhere. To a small but appreciative crowd. Wonderful!

Surf music, and hot rods...

1962 saw the release of the first Beach Boys album, but within a couple of years the wagon was gettin' pretty loaded up. Bruce Johnston and Terry Melcher put out singles as Bruce and Terry, but they also called themselves The Rip Chords for this one. "Three Window Coupe" b/w "Hot Rod USA".

1964 also found Jan & Dean on the charts with "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena" and "Ride the Wild Surf".

"Ride the Wild Surf" was backed with one of my favourite all-time titles. "The Anaheim, Azusa and Cucamonga Sewing Circle, Book Review and Timing Association".

1965 found the Beach Boys recording "Help Me Rhonda" while Freddy Cannon had a hit with "Action".

"...Oh, baby come on!"

The ultimate Beach Boy tune is at the top of this article, but "Sloop John B" came out the same year as "Good Vibrations"...1966. I'll never forget seeing the Beach Boys live one stormy night in August, they started playing "Good Vibrations" and the clouds parted, the moon shone through and the night turned wamr and wonderful.

Johnny Rivers jumped on the bandwagon in 1975 with his version of "Help Me Rhonda" with help from Brian Wilson.

The Beach Boys tried all sorts of things to maintain their popularity, from this 'disco' version of "Here Comes the Night"(1979)...

to joining with Little Richard on this Bruce & Terry written track "Happy Endings"(1987)...

to the hit by committee "Kokomo" written by Mike Love (he probably provided the atlas for place names) Terry Melcher, John Phillips and Scott MacKenzie (1988).

While Brian Wilson went on his own bizarre path, creating marvelous music all along the way. 1987's "Love and Mercy" and...

from 1988 "Too Much Sugar" b/w "He Couldn't Get His Poor Old Body To Move" (written with Lindsey Buckingham!)

Beatles 12"ers...PAUL

This series of 12" singles from Paul McCartney actually begins with a rare album. Thrillington is an orchestral take on the songs from Ram and is a 1977 release. It seems Paul McCartney just took on the persona of Percy "Thrills" Thrillington and hired Richard Hewson who created this LP. The artwork on the back shows a reflection of "Thrills" in the studio window, and he looks remarkable like Sir Paul! It's not bad, like many of Paul's ego-fueled projects, but not great.

Glad to have it in my collection though!

"Goodnight Tonight" and "Daytime Night time Suffering" the 1979 edition of Wings.

"This One" also contains "The First Stone" plus I Wanna Cry" and Fats Domino's "I'm In Love Again." 1980

"Take It Away" is backed with "Dress Me Up As A Robber" and "I'll Give You a Ring", from 1982

1982's "Ebony and Ivory" duet with Stevie Wonder is backed with "Ballroom Dancing" and "The Pound Is Sinking."

"We All Stand Together" is the song from Paul's animated cartoon of Rupert the Bear. The b-side is the same song, hummed. Hmmm. Not really a 12" as it has an unusual shape...kinda like the film. 1984

"No More Lonely Nights" from Paul's big film Give My Regards to Broad Street features an extended "Silly Love Songs" and the ballad version of "No More Lonely Nights" 1984

1986's Press To Play is the source for "Press" (and "It's Not True") backed with "Hang Glide" and "Press".

"Once Upon a Long Ago" and "Back On My Feet" b/w "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" and "Kansas City" 1987

"Put It There", "Mama's Little Girl", and "Same Time Next Year" also featured a frameable litho of the cover drawing. Haven't framed it yet. 1990

"All My Trials" came from a live album, but the single included "C Moon" and "Mull of Kintyre" and "Put It There" on the flipside. 1990

Beatles 45s...PAUL ('80s)

Coming Up / Coming Up [live in Glasgow] + Lunch Box/Odd Sox (McCartney, 1980)

Waterfalls / Check My Machine (McCartney, 1980)

Ebony and Ivory (McCartney) additional vocals by Stevie Wonder / Rainclouds (McCartney-Laine, 1982)

The Girl Is Mine (M.Jackson) duet Michael Jackson + Paul McCartney / Can't Get Outa the Rain (Jackson-Jones) 1982

Say Say Say (McCartney-Jackson) duet Paul McCartney + Michael Jackson / Ode to a Koala Bear (McCartney) 1983

Spies Like Us (McCartney) from the film Spies Like Us / My Carnival (McCartney) 1985

Only Love Remains (McCartney) / Tough On a Tightrope (McCartney-Stewart) 1986

Beatles 45s...PAUL ('70s)

Another Day / Oh Woman, Oh Why (Mr. & Mrs. Paul McCartney, 1971)

Give Ireland Back to the Irish / Give Ireland Back to the Irish (version) (McCartney & McCartney, 1972)

Mary Had a Little Lamb / Little Woman Love (McCartney & McCartney, 1972)

Hi, Hi, Hi / C Moon (Paul & Linda McCartney, 1972)

Helen Wheels / Country Dreamer (McCartney, 1973)

Live and Let Die / I Lie Around (McMartney, 1973)

My Love / The Mess (McCartney, 1973)

Junior's Farm / Sally G (McCartney, 1974)

Mull of Kintyre (McCartney/Laine) / Girls' School (McCartney, 1977)

Seaside Woman / B-Side to Seaside (Linda McCartney, 1977) Suzy & the Red Stripes

Wonderful Christmastime (McCartney) / Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reggae (J. Marks) 1979