https://hipquotient.com

What would Jesus do…in Pittsburgh?

Post author:Dana Spiardi
Post category:Film, TV, Stage, Media
Post comments:5 Comments
Post published:July 12, 2023

He'd have his "superstar" world premiere, of course. On July 12, 1971, the first authorized production of the Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar" was staged in my fair city, Pittsburgh, PA. Quite appropriate, actually, considering it's the birthplace of the man who coined the term superstar: Andy Warhol! The musical starred Jeff Fenholt as a laid-back, hippiefied Jesus, Carl Anderson as a prescient, forewarning Judas, and Yvonne Elliman as a sexy Mary Magdalene. A crowd of 13,000 people turned out to see the play at the city's domed, space-age Civic Arena, the world's first major sports/entertainment venue to feature a retractable roof.

The Fireworks are Hailin’ Over Little Eden Tonight: Bruce’s Boardwalk Lullaby

Post author:Dana Spiardi
Post category:American Bands and Artists Bruce and the Boys
Post comments:2 Comments
Post published:July 4, 2023

When the cops finally busted Madam Marie, the young ne'er-do-well knew it was time to leave the seaside carnival life forever. Riding Tilt-a-Whirls and chasing factory girls underneath the boardwalk…cruising the circuit with switchblade lovers and open-shirt casino boys…it was all kid's stuff. Someday he'd look back on those barefoot slacker days and sex-seeking nights, and rage against the dying of the pier lights that once cast a protective cover, like a soft beach blanket, over his body and hers. But now, as the fireworks hailed over his Little Eden on that 4th of July, he determined it was time to move on. And, taking a page from that ancient tome, "Seduction Tactics 101," he made his plea to sweet "Sandy Girl:" Love me tonight, for I may never see you again. Ah, how I miss the beach life lullabies and city-sidewalk serenades that Bruce abandoned long ago! Songs like "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" are among the most visual and desperately romantic works in his catalog. And this one, in particular, is as beautiful and wistful as they come.

What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?

Post author:Dana Spiardi
Post category:Rants, Reflections, Ruminations
Post comments:2 Comments
Post published:May 30, 2023

“What did you do in the war, Daddy?” That’s a question most kids eventually get around to asking when they learn their fathers served in the armed forces. Almost all of my childhood friends had dads who served in either World War II or the Korean War. In those days it wasn’t uncommon for veterans to keep their war stories…

Not to the Manor Born: Rock Stars in Stately Pleasure Domes

Post author:Dana Spiardi
Post category:Beatles Brits Beyond The Beatles & Stones Rolling Stones
Post comments:3 Comments
Post published:January 18, 2023

Deep in the psychedelic wood, Where a rock-n-roll martyr plays You'll find the enchanted neighborhood Of Brian Jones's drug-haze days. Brian the posh, Brian the posh, A randy little dandy - all fine, divine. He's Brian the posh, Brian the posh, A ritzy little glitzy old soul. I'd hate like hell to be sued by the Disney Empire for parodying…

Don Kirshner: “I Want a Band That Won’t Talk Back"

Post author:Dana Spiardi
Post category:Pop Matters
Post comments:10 Comments
Post published:January 17, 2023

Between the ages of 13 and 20, yer usually date-less blogger spent many a Saturday night with an impassive middle-aged man sporting plastered hair, leisure suits, gold chains and the occasional sweater vest. His name was Don Kirshner, and he brought the top rock acts of the day into my living room with his syndicated late-night TV show. For many of us growing up in the 1970s, pre-car and pre-cash, the closest we came to attending an actual rock concert was staying up late to hear this pathologically unhip music impresario kick off 90 minutes of authentic live-on-tape rock performances.