Mick Taylor’s Moonlight Mile

"Like Mick Jagger in exact reverse." That's the way Keith Richards has described Mick Taylor, the straight-faced guitarist who was sucked into the carnal vortex of the Rolling Stones at the tender age of 20. He did more than just replace guitarist and founding member Brian Jones, he added a whole new dimension to the Stones' dirty white-boy sound. His bluesy, melodic playing and ability to read a song were crucial to the success of the band's three masterpiece albums: "Let it Bleed," "Sticky Fingers," and "Exile on Main Street." He turns 67 tomorrow.

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Is it Doomsday Already?

Heavens to Murgatroyd! According to the ancient Mayans, the world will end on Friday, and I have SO much left to do! I've had "doomsday" pencilled in on both my pocket calendar and the kitchen wall calendar for months. And, because I'm such a high tech kind of gal, I also listed it on my Google calendar (too bad I forgot to hit that "email reminder" button). Oh, I'm such a silly goose! I rarely bother to even LOOK at any of those calendars until it's too late! One day left on earth doesn't give me much time to do all those things I've been wanting to do for eons. Why do I ALWAYS procrastinate?

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Goats Head Soup

“Goats Head Soup.” The very thought makes my fur stand on end. The Rolling Stones turned out four killer LPs in a row, with titles that slayed (figuratively). And then they released an almost-killer LP with a title that slayed (literally). You know, Mick Jagger was a smart guy….London School of Economics and all that. If he hadn’t ended up…

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A Moonage Daydream – How Apollo 11 Inspired Bowie and Zowie’s Lunar Love

Forty-five years ago this month I was eating Pillsbury Space Food Sticks, building my own mini lunar module from a kit, and drinking Tang — the beverage of astronauts! Like the rest of the world, I was caught up in Apollo 11 moon-landing mania, as Neil Armstrong took that first giant step on July 20, 1969. The event spawned national pride, crackpot conspiracy theories, and countless innovative spinoff technologies. It also inspired an androgynous young British performer to release a song that would define his career.

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Roll Up, Roll Up — for the Greyhound Bus Hippyland Tour!

So, you're trippin' with your blue-jean baby down a marijuana-scented street, wearing your tie-dyed shirt, love beads and huaraches, when you hear an announcement blaring from a packed tour bus: “Now, ladies and gentlemen, if you look to your left you'll see a hairy hippie passed out in front of the Phật Phúc Noodle Bar. Ahead on the right you’ll notice a parade of shaved-head Hare Krishnas -- such a happy lot, wrapped in their orange gauze! Oh, and do you see those scraggly kids carrying signs that say 'drop acid, not bombs'? They're the pinko-loving, un-American war protestors. Now, just up ahead on your left is a store where stoners buy things called zig-zag paper and roach clips. They call it a 'head shop'….don't ask me why!" Ah, what better way to take in the sights, sounds and aromas of the Summer of Love than to book a reservation on a Greyhound Bus Line "Hippyland Tour" of the famous Haight-Ashbury district!

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