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Classic Rock Here And Now
INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS THAT SET US FREE
ABOUT CLASSIC ROCK HERE AND NOW'S RAY SHASHO
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COMING UP NEXT ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS
Billy J. Kramer Outraged Over Brian Epstein's Absence from Rock Hall of Fame -Exclusive Interview
By Ray Shasho
Billy J. Kramer Interview:
Billy J. Kramer, the British Invasion crooner and Merseybeat legend generally associated with The Dakotas, is on an incessant and heartfelt crusade to land Brian Epstein into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Brian Epstein was both Kramer's friend and manager.
Epstein discovered the debonair Liverpudlian songster and quickly arranged a union between Billy J. Kramer and the Manchester-based band The Dakotas. Both signed separate recording deals with Parlophone Records under producer George Martin. It was John Lennon who suggested that Billy personify a "tougher edge" by adding the "J" to his name.
Epstein had recently launched The Beatles and was determined to sustain Merseybeat good fortune by asking Kramer to sing Lennon-McCartney cover tunes. Kramer recorded, "Do You Want to Know a Secret" (#2 UK Singles Chart in 1963) followed by the cover, "I'll Be on My Way." The song also reached #2 on the UK charts behind The Beatles, "From Me to You" for the number one spot.
1963 proved to be a pivotal year as Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas continued to ride the success of Lennon-McCartney penned compositions and scoring big with "Bad to Me" which became their first UK #1 Smash Hit. The following year, the single infiltrated the U.S. charts becoming a Top 10 sensation. It was the first time a Lennon-McCartney penned song reached the Top 40 for an artist other than The Beatles. "Bad to Me" sold over a million units and was awarded gold disc status. The UK B-side was "I Call Your Name"
"I'll Keep You Satisfied" recorded at Abbey Road Studios and under the direction of George Martin, reached #4 in the UK and finished at #30 on the U.S. Charts.
In 1964, Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas recorded "From A Window," the sixth and final Lennon-McCartney composition suggested to Kramer. The single reached #10 in the UK.
Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas became a significant sector that successfully linked to the worldwide musical barrage of "The British Invasion." The band earned prestigious bookings on numerous television shows in America like The Ed Sullivan Show, Hullabaloo and Shindig! They also appeared in the 1964 rocumentary film The T.A.M.I Show.
Kramer didn't want to be known as one of those guys that hung off The Beatles shirt-tails, so he reached out for new material. He chose a tune penned by Mort Shuman and J. Leslie McFarland entitled, "Little Children." The song skyrocketed and became the biggest hit for Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas. Both "Little Children" and its flipside "Bad to Me" were huge Top 10 Hits for Kramer in the U.S. for 1964.
Kramer scored again in 1965 with the Burt Bacharach & Hal David composition "Trains and Boats and Planes" (#12 Hit) which also became a huge hit for Dionne Warwick in 1966. Legendary guitar-hero Mick Green (Johnny Kidd & the Pirates) had also joined The Dakotas.
In 1967, after the death of their Manager Brian Epstein, The Dakotas and Billy J. Kramer parted ways. Kramer went on to a successful solo career performing at venues around the globe, including British Invasion-themed concerts.
In 1996, The Dakotas reformed with Billy J. Kramer and toured the UK.
After thirty years … Billy J. Kramer will be releasing his long-awaited new CD entitled, I Won the Fight, commemorating the 50th anniversary of his first hit record. The CD includes the critically-acclaimed single, "To Liverpool With Love." The CD is expected to be released sometime in late March or early April. Pre-sale-Special Limited Edition orders can be purchased now at http://billyjkramersite.com
On March 3-10, 2013 … Billy J. Kramer, Mark Hudson (Ringo Starr) and Joey Molland (Badfinger) will set-sail on The Fourth Annual 'Cruise for Beatle Fans' aboard Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas. For more information visit www.musicinmocean.com
I had the pleasure of speaking with Billy J. Kramer recently about his campaign to get Brian Epstein enlisted into the non-performers' section (Ahmet Ertegun Award) of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Epstein was an entrepreneur, an innovator, and a very important historical figure in the music industry. Epstein was responsible for so many of the Merseybeat/British Invasion bands of the 1960s …including The Beatles, Billy J. Kramer, Gerry & the Pacemakers, Cilla Black, The Remo Four and The Cyrcle.
Billy's thoughts about the British Invasion… "I always tell people … when I first saw The Beatles they were doing all cover versions, I just think we recycled a lot of American music."
Here's my interview with Merseybeat/British Invasion sensation …BILLY J.KRAMER.
Ray Shasho: Hello Billy …Happy 2013!
Billy J. Kramer: "Thank you very much Ray!"
Ray Shasho: You're calling from New York, do you live out there?
Billy J. Kramer: "I live in New York most of the time and live out in Santa Fe, New Mexico some of the time."
Ray Shasho: Santa Fe is a beautiful area, have you been out to Roswell?
Billy J. Kramer: "Of course I have … that's how I discovered Santa Fe."
Ray Shasho: You've got a brand new CD coming out soon?
Billy J. Kramer: "It should be out late March or beginning in April. I have a single out at the moment which is on iTunes called, "To Liverpool With Love." It's a song that I wrote and recorded; about that period in the 60's mentioning The Beatles and Brian Epstein …it's that kind of song. I'll be launching it all at 'The Fest' For Beatles Fans on April 6th in Secaucus, New Jersey and performing these songs live with my own band. The band lineup is Liberty Devitto on drums, who used to be with Billy Joel for a long time, Adam Roth on guitars, Muddy Shews on bass, who used to be with Southside Johnny and Andy Burton on keyboards. They're fun to play with and I love them all. It was amazing … these guys have played with a lot of big names and two years ago I went back to Liverpool with them and they were just like little kids. It was one of the most fulfilling gigs in my career to go back there and play with these people." www.thefest.com
"This is actually the first time that I made an album. My albums were …I would sing songs off a piece of paper with the lyrics and most of the songs that I recorded … I never ever did them live. I'm not proud of that, this is the first time that I've written songs that I really wanted to do. And I never had the luxury of spending a lot of time in the studio until now. That's why it's called, I Won The Fight."
Ray Shasho: Brian Epstein was so instrumental to your life and of course your music career. I'm also surprised that he's not in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; he probably should have been inducted when The Beatles got in.
Billy J. Kramer: "Yes… why isn't Brian Epstein in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? It's been a whole thing that I've tried to push for quite some time. The man that brought the biggest band to the world… and still the biggest band in the world is not in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and I think it's ludicrous. This is a man who pounded the pavements in London and suffered a lot of rejection, and I think The Beatles could quite easily been overlooked had it not been for what he did."
Ray Shasho: I'm not so sure The Beatles had the discipline to make it without Brian.
Billy J. Kramer: "I'll be very honest, coming from Liverpool at that time; it was very difficult to get any recognition from London. There were no studios in Liverpool, no TV, radio …there was nothing. And Brian to me was a great representative and he made it happen. I think he should get the recognition, it's like he's a forgotten man and I think that's wrong. Let's face it; it was the biggest thing that ever happened in Pop music, The Ed Sullivan Show sparked it… and I think it's a disgrace."
Ray Shasho: I've never put much stock in The Rock and Roll Hall of "Cronyism" anyway … there are so many legendary artists who haven't already been elected and many who never deserved to be there in the first place. Maybe it should be the people who decides who gets in; after all, we're the ones who bought the records.
Billy J. Kramer: "Maybe I'm naive, but I never use to think it was that kind of thing, but as time went on, I saw people that are in there that shouldn't be and others who were totally overlooked. I always thought that The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame should have been something that was for the fans. You're right; the fans bought the records, made people stars, so that's the way it should have been worked. Too me it's … what do you consider rock and roll? Because there are people in there that I don't consider rock and roll.
Ray Shasho: Sorry, but I don't consider The Beastie Boys …Rock and Roll.
Billy J. Kramer: "Good example… nothing against the guys, but it's not Rock and Roll!"
Ray Shasho: I know so many dedicated music fans and aficionados that know more about the music than the artists themselves.
Billy J. Kramer: "I can show you fans that know more about me than I know about myself."
Ray Shasho: (Laughing) It's the truth …so many of us made music our lives and we weren't musicians. We inhaled the music on a daily basis like breathing in the air.
Billy J. Kramer: "It's a whole new world … when I was a kid; my big thing was to walk a few miles and go to a record store called Alan's in Liverpool and pickup my records … that was my thing. To me it's one of those things that will stay with me my whole life. It's something I loved from the start and still love today."
Ray Shasho: Did you play an instrument and join a rock band when you were in high school?
Billy J. Kramer: "Yes I did, I had a band with local friends and we were getting nowhere. So one day they said maybe you should front the band. I thought, well, it would be a novelty. The first show I did … I had the guitar on the stand and thought, if I get nervous I'll pick up the guitar. I left the guitar in the dressing room and it was stolen. I couldn't afford another guitar so that's how it all started. I never wanted to be the frontman of a band; I just wanted to play behind somebody else."
Ray Shasho: Billy, how were you first discovered as a singer?
Billy J. Kramer: "I was on the circuit playing the Cavern Club, the same sort of thing as The Beatles and all the local gigs, and there was a popularity poll in the Mersey Beat which was a local paper for the fans. They had a Top 20 poll and I came in third and was a nonprofessional. Brian Epstein saw me perform at this, and we all had to perform, and he gave a prize that was a tour of Scotland for the highest nonprofessional artist which was me. I had to turn it down because of my day job. I was going to leave Liverpool for a year as part of my training which was an engineer. Brian stepped in and offered me a contract … something I couldn't turn down."
"The rest is history … I had a number one hit with a Lennon and McCartney song before they recorded it, "Do You Want to Know a Secret" and then "Bad To Me" after that …and "I'll Keep You Satisfied."
Ray Shasho: "Bad To Me" was always my favorite; you did an incredible job with that Lennon and McCartney tune.
Billy J. Kramer: "Thank you very much … I enjoyed doing all of them, it was a bit of an ordeal at the time, I was only a young guy and a bit intimidated by the whole thing. It was a big step from being this blue-collar worker's son to working with people like Georg Martin and people on that level. I read things in books …and in one particular book (I can't remember which one it was) it said, Billy J. Kramer was number one with "Bad To Me" and the Beatles knocked him off by the end of the week. And the truth of the matter is … I hadn't even heard the song. I remember that week distinctly because it was my twentieth birthday and John Lennon came up to me … he was reading the paper and said, "We just got into the charts in the states and by the way, I've got a song for you." I said are you going to play it? He says "No, come to Abbey Road next time we're recording." Brian threw a party for me that night back at the hotel after the show, so I asked John again … Why don't you just play it for me and he said, "No.""
"He finally played it to me at Abbey Road …he sat at the piano and played me the song. That's how I got the song. People asked me, was there a demo… but that's how I got the song. At the same time …John said to me, "I want to run a song by you and want your opinion," it was, "I Want to Hold Your Hand." To be in the room with him playing that song was awesome."
Ray Shasho: I heard you wanted that song too?
Billy J. Kramer: "I did …yes. Somebody emailed me a thing last week where it said that I turned down, "A World Without Love," but I didn't; I never heard the song, only that Peter and Gordon had a hit record with it. I'm one of these people; I think it would be nice if a lot of this stuff would be historically correct."
Ray Shasho: The Liverpool music scene must have been incredible… and musicians quickly became a hot commodity, like the Detroit music scene eventually became in America.
Billy J. Kramer: "It was a very healthy live scene in Liverpool; I used to be out five or six nights a week playing at different places."
Ray Shasho: "I chatted with Pete Best last week … such a great guy. What was your interpretation on the whole Pete Best firing from The Beatles?
Billy J.Kramer: "I think it's one of those things that there hasn't been an out an out answer. It just seems to me that …me as an onlooker, I saw Bob Wooler say… Let's hear it one more time for John, George, Paul… and when Pete Best walked back on the stage at the end of the show, young girls just went crazy. It's something that always baffled me and I don't have the answer. I saw The Beatles many-many times and Pete sounded great. I think they owed it to him to make amends."
"I'll be honest with you… on the early records Pete would have been fine, I don't know as they progressed, if he would have progressed. I think Ringo did a great job. The bottom line was, it was their band and they did what they wanted to do. What we think is history now."
Ray Shasho: What was Brian Epstein like?
Billy J. Kramer: "Brian Epstein was a class act. I don't think there's enough being said about him as a person. It must have been horrendous for Brian back then being gay while it was illegal. To go through that for any gay person had to be a nightmare and I have a lot of compassion. He did a lot for me. He'd come to my shows and never told me that he was going to come. He'd be there backstage after the show and critique the shows I did, how I introduced them, the lighting, the way the band played. He was a man for instance, when my mother died, if he was in Liverpool, he'd see my father and take him out to dinner. He always sent Christmas cards to my family and always showed up on my birthday."
"You know it's funny enough, like when John Lennon went on a vacation with Brian and everyone wondered …did they have this thing. Well, I came to New York with Brian and nobody ever asked me. (Laughing) And I mean it."
"I did my thing and Brian did his thing and we'd meet up and have dinner and that was it."
"When I went to see Brian we'd go out to dinner, play cards and hangout. He'd ask me who I thought would be number one on the charts and he was never too happy when I'd tell him that it wasn't one of his acts."
Ray Shasho: I studied footage on Brian that I've watched over the internet. He seemed to be extremely cordial and a very personable guy, but I also sensed, as he spoke with people, he always seemed to have something else on his mind.
Billy J. Kramer: "You mean he sometimes seemed preoccupied. I think he had a lot going on. And let's face it he must have tried to hide his homosexuality because he got crucified for it. He also had a lot of responsibilities for all the acts he had. But Brian to me was a great representative the way he presented himself. I couldn't see anyone else in Liverpool going and negotiating with some of these top companies the way he did. To me rock and roll today is still what it is because of him. The Beatles did that Shea Stadium thing and that was the start of big outdoor gigs. Honestly, when I came to America with Brian it was very difficult getting recognition coming over from England. Brian opened the doors for all of us. He did a great deal with Ed Sullivan; the best ever …and to me he brought The Beatles to the world."
Ray Shasho: Do you think Brian Epstein intended to end his life or do you feel it was an accident?
Billy J. Kramer: "All I know is that I went through a period where I was more interested in partying than my career and Brian wasn't sort of pushing me the way he used to. Then I did this show at The Shakespeare Theatre in Liverpool and he came to see me, I'd stop drinking and was very slim. He came and saw the show, was very pleased and said, "I'm going to America … when I come back, let's get together and work on a whole new thing." He looked better than previous times that I'd seen him. Then I remember that I got a letter on the Saturday night that I sang, apologizing for not coming, one of his parents had just died at the time (I think his father passed) and didn't like leaving his mother at home. But he said, what we talked about in our conversation … I'll see you when I get back. The next thing, I walked over to the hotel one day … there was no TV in your room back then, you had to go over to a TV lounge, so I turned the TV on and found out Brian had died."
"I've always thought that maybe he was on prescribed medication and then he drank. I don't think he intentionally killed himself … that's my opinion. But the press had a field day because it's Brian Epstein, The Beatles Manager."
Ray Shasho: I've talked with a lot of artists who played The Ed Sullivan Show, what was it like for you?
Billy J. Kramer: "Believe it or not, I wasn't aware what a big deal it was. I think if I had known what a big deal it was I would have been terrified. We did the soundcheck in the afternoon and I met Ed Sullivan on the set and he just said, "Here's… Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas" and we went into music …and that was it."
Ray Shasho: Billy, do you have a good story from back in the British Invasion days?
Billy J. Kramer: "I was doing a recording session at EMI and John Lennon came in and said, "Great song." We had about fifteen minutes left and just knocked the track down, but don't know why we never went back and finished it. I sat at a restaurant a few years ago and suddenly I hear this song come on over the speakers in the restaurant, and it was me doing this song with today's technology, we had done two takes and they edited them. There was some bantering between me and John… a lot of it they left out, but at one point he said to me … "You sound like Adam Faith you fool!" (All laughing) But it was funny hearing that after all those years."
"John Lennon had tremendous insight. I remember when The Dakotas employed this new Road Manager and setting the gear up on the stage and John said to me, "Who's that Billy?" I said that's The Dakotas new Road Manager. John said, "You better get rid of him before he grows on you" and you know something, awhile later, the guy pulled out after an important tour, at an important time and left everyone high and dry. Yet, John said that to me after only one meeting with the guy and it's always blown me away. John was so spot-on … on so many things."
Ray Shasho: Do still speak with the surviving members of The Beatles?
Billy J .Kramer: "I see Paul from time to time and he's always been cool to me. Maybe if I was a vegetarian I'd see him more often (All laughing). The last time Ringo played on Long Island, he found out that I lived down the road and called me up and said, "Come down and see the show." When he had his art showing in New York, I went down and hung out with him and had a chat. Ringo, to me, is a lot of fun. It's funny, when I went to see him, my wife walked into the dressing room before me and she's very short and the first words out of his mouth were, "Billy …you've changed a lot!" But he's great! When we spoke he said, "You know, they hate me in Liverpool now." I'm not sure what he said to the press or the media but apparently it didn't go down so well."
"I liked George Harrison very much too and was blown away with what he did with The Traveling Wilburys. I remember George taking me to meet Roy Orbison. I was a big fan and George introduced me to him, I was just like a little kid. But the last time I talked with George, he was doing a session with some friends of mine that he was going to produce and I went down. It was awhile before he died."
"I had never met Yoko Ono and she got in touch with me and asked me to write an essay about my relationship with John for a book. I wrote a short essay and they never changed one word, which really surprised me."
"I get on really well with Cynthia; we used to hang out at parties or at a launch of a new album … and I love her dearly."
Ray Shasho: What was the origin behind your version of "Trains and Boats and Planes"?
Billy J. Kramer: "I heard the song on a TV show. Mick Green was a great guitar player with The Dakotas at the time and never got the recognition that he deserved. I was at Mick's house and watched this Burt Bacharach Special; we started playing around with the song and realized that we could do a version of it. We took it to George Martin and just put it together. We just tried to make a good record out of a beautiful song."
"In 1968, I also recorded the Harry Nilsson song, "1941"which a lot of people don't know."
Ray Shasho: Billy, here's a final question. I ask everyone that I interview this very same question. If you had a 'Field of Dreams' wish to sing or collaborate with anyone form the past or present who would you choose?
Billy J. Kramer: "John Lennon."
Ray Shasho: Have you recorded with John before?
Billy J. Kramer: "No, only when he came down with, "I'm In Love." I never finished the first version, so I remade it and thought it would be a tribute to John on the new CD, and did it how I thought it should be."
Ray Shasho: Thank you Billy for being on the call today and for all the fantastic music throughout the years. We will all be watching out for the release of the new CD.
Billy J. Kramer: "I'm very proud of what I did in the 60s and want to get out there to play the old stuff, the new stuff and continue recording, which is something that I had not done in a long time."
"Let's keep banging on that door to get Brian Epstein into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. …Thanks Ray!"
After thirty years … Billy J. Kramer will be releasing his long-awaited new CD entitled, I Won the Fight, commemorating the 50th anniversary of his first hit record. The CD -includes the critically-acclaimed single, "To Liverpool With Love." The CD is expected to be released sometime in late March or early April. Pre-sale-Special Limited Edition orders can be purchased now at http://billyjkramersite.com/#/presale/ "To Liverpool With Love" is available to purchase on iTunes.
Billy J. Kramer official website http://billyjkramersite.com
Brian Epstein official website and petition www.brianepstein.com/petition.html
'The Fest' for Beatles Fans Official site www.thefest.com
The Cruise for Beatles Fans 2013 official site www.musicinmocean.com
Very special thanks to Steve Petrie for this interview.
Contact classic rock music journalist Ray Shasho at rockraymond.shasho@gmail.com
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Posted by Classic Rock Here And Now at 12:40 AM
Labels: #Billy J. Kramer Interview, #Brian Epstein, #Liverpool, #Ray Shasho, #rock and roll hall of fame, The Beatles
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Exclusive:Billy J. Kramer outraged over Brian Epstein's absence from Rock Hall of Fame
Exclusive: John Kay of Steppenwolf returns to protect wildlife and human rights
Pete Best Interview: The Beatles Conspiracy?
Dr. John interview: Musically he's been in the Right Place at the Right Time
KANSAS: American Progressive Rock Heroes -Interview with drummer Phil Ehart
Interview: Jim "Dandy" Mangrum southern rock pioneer with Black Oak Arkansas
Tom Rush Interview: Celebrating 50 years of storytelling and music
Exclusive Interview with international superstar Gino Vannelli
'Candice Night' Interview: A fairytale journey with 'Ritchie Blackmore'
An interview with Maria Muldaur: rekindling the spirit of 'Memphis Minnie'
Interview with keyboardist Jason Sawford of the Australian Pink Floyd Show
An interview with Peter Rivera the heart and soul of Motown's Rare Earth
An interview with Paul Kantner captain at the helm for Jefferson Starship
Steve Hillage interview: The intergalactic musical evolution of a guitar rocketeer
An interview with Annie Haslam the enchanting songstress of Renaissance
Johnny Winter Interview: Rock 'n' roll was a disguise; I really wanted to play the blues
Lou Gramm Interview: Foreigner legendary vocalist embraces a second chance at life
Suzi Quatro rock 'n' roll heroine in an unzipped exclusive interview
An Interview with The Zombies legendary voice Colin Blunstone
Michael Des Barres: Silverhead rocker & TV villain 'Murdoc' chats with Ray Shasho
Eric Johnson Interview: An extraordinary and diverse guitarist with rock fusion mastery
An interview with music legends Micky Dolenz & Gary Puckett -Happy Together 2012
Exclusive: Frank Marino legendary guitarist "I can't play guitar without severe pain"
Chris Squire Interview: Squackett, Jon Anderson and 'Yes' on Broadway
Andy Powell talks about the longevity and mystique of 'Wishbone Ash'
Blondie magnificent at Firefly Gala: Interview guitarist/songwriter Chris Stein
Dave Mason is Feelin' Alright in an Interview with Ray Shasho
Eric Burdon -Animals immortal songster speaks with Ray Shasho
Exclusive Interview: Norman Greenbaum reveals the true origin of "Spirit In The Sky"
Exclusive Interview: Roger McGuinn says David Crosby can reunite The Byrds without him
Exclusive Interview: The Voice of 'Snoopy VS. The Red Baron' -Barry Winslow
Exclusive Interview: TODD RUNDGREN talks UTOPIA reunion with Ray Shasho
Exclusive: British Blues trailblazer Kim Simmonds of Savoy Brown –CD Review: 'Voodoo Moon'
Grand Funk Railroad's Captain Mark Farner Raps with Ray Shasho
Henry McCullough divulges divine intervention while with Paul McCartney & Wings
Ian Anderson: A conversation with the Scottish Gent we attest as Jethro Tull
Interview/Review: Janet Robbins 'Song of the Gypsy Tree' Mesmerizing and Magnificent
INTERVIEW: Billy Sherwood discusses the Progressive Rock of CIRCA… 'And So On'
Interview: Ex Judas Priest Metal Master: Atkins May Project 'Serpents Kiss'
Interview: GREG LAKE of Emerson Lake & Palmer reveals: I really am a 'Lucky Man'
INTERVIEW: HEART original guitarist Roger Fisher 'Getting voted out saved my life!'
Interview: NILS LOFGREN Springsteen guitar virtuoso: Review 'Old School'
Interview: Tommy James (Shondells) talks about 'Me, the Mob, and the Music'
Interview: Tommy Roe tried to get Beatles signed: Both rejected by ABC Records
Joe Lala: An unplugged interview with the Silent- Giant of the music industry
Jon Anderson: "I'll return to YES when they wake up" - Interview with Ray Shasho
Kim Wilson interview: 'We played straight blues and we were militant about it'
Orlando Calling Festival REVIEW/ INTERVIEW with Doobie Brothers Pat Simmons
Paul Revere & the Raiders Charismatic Superstar Mark Lindsay Speaks With Ray Shasho
Rainbow / Deep Purple vocalist Joe Lynn Turner chats with Ray Shasho
Review: Frampton Comes Alive! 35 Interview:Bassist Stanley Sheldon Chats with Ray Shasho
Review: New release Blue Moon Harem 'FINLAND' -Interview: Demetri Joannou
Ronnie MONTROSE Interview: "We're Going Out and Tearing It Up!"
Santana and Journey Original Lead Singer Gregg Rolie Speaks with Ray Shasho
The Turtles profound and witty Professor Mark Volman lectures Ray Shasho
Tony Levin interview: Levin Torn White new release and review
What is a Merrell Fankhauser? The most interesting cult figure in rock history
Yardbirds Exalted Drummer and Songwriter Jim McCarty Speaks with Ray Shasho
Classic Rock Music Archives By Ray Shasho
'Rock 'N' Blues Fest' -A Tribute to Johnny Winter is 'Triumphant' in Clearwater
'Mark Farner' Electrifies Huge 'Blast Friday' Crowd in Downtown Clearwater
Joe Lala: The Silent- Giant of The Music Industry Dead at 66
2013 Year in Review: Classic Rock Music Journalist Ray Shasho Rates 'Best of the Best'
John Mayall Dazzles Sarasota Audience on his 80th Birthday
Concerts and Music Festivals around Tampa Bay!
'Spock's Beard' Album Review: 'Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep
Jeff Berlin Interview: Perhaps the finest electric bass player in the world.
"Renaissance: Grandine il Vento" album review: Fantastico!
Alvin Lee legendary British blues guitarist dead at 68
Year in review: Classic rock music journalist Ray Shasho reflects on 2012
Ribfest 2012 headlines Buddy Guy, Heart, Santana's Gregg Rolie …and more
The Zombies are brilliant for sold-out Largo Cultural Center
Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band superlative for sold out Clearwater audience
Happy Together Tour draws another packed house at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater
Summer concerts and rock and roll on the high seas
NEWS FLASH: RONNIE MONTROSE Dead at 64
BLONDIE to Perform at Fundraiser in Bradenton for Forty Carrots Family Center
'Dangerous Dan' Toler BENEFIT headlines Dickey Betts-Bonnie Bramlett- Blackhawk
Review: MONTROSE Masterful and Powerful at Largo Cultural Center
Review: FOGHAT quick boogie at Jannus Live Rocks the House
Review: Frampton Comes Alive! incredible performance for sold out Ruth Eckerd
HIPPIEFEST: A resurgence of the flower children and the music that mattered
The Happy Together Tour at Ruth Eckerd Hall was Far Out,Man!
George Thorogood And The Destroyers & Queensryche Invade Clearwater This Fall
The Beach Boys Brian Wilson surfs into Clearwater
STYX returning to Ribfest at Vinoy Park in St Petersburg
Cheap Trick and Tampa Bay Lightning rock the St Pete Times Forum
Jeff Beck shares a day in the life at Ruth Eckerd Hall
Kansas and the Little River Band rock out at Fun 'N Sun Fest
U2 continues to sellout stadiums despite music industry failures
KISS Army largest social network on the planet
"Giving Hunger The Blues" Block Party Rocks Sarasota
Kid Rock, ZZ Top and The Beach Boys are Cruisin' in 2011
KISS Guitarist Ace Frehley Rocks the Forum in Tampa
Phil Collins an entangled farewell
Pat Travers …Boom, Boom, turn those lights back on I want to rock!
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts rock huge crowd In Tampa
Johnny Winter Live at the Capitol Theatre
Golden Earring celebrates 50 years of rock and roll
Jethro Tull celebrates 40th anniversary of Aqualung with USA tour
News Flash Buffalo Springfield plans to Reunite and Tour this Fall
Ramblin' Gamblin' Bob Seger to begin 2011- tour in March
Allman Brothers Band guitar legend Dickey Betts plays benefit in Sarasota
Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks open their co-headlined tour in Florida
Peter Rivera is Rare Earth
Lady Gaga reinvented by local heavy metal guitar wizard
Robin Trower coming to Jannus Live
Keeping cool around your favorite rock stars
'Classic rockers' in my backyard
Tweets by @SaveRockNow
Keith Emerson Interview: ELP Legendary Keyboard & Moog Synthesizer Wiz Releases Live CD with Greg Lake
By Ray Shasho -Interviewed July 22nd 2014 KEITH EMERSON is an accomplished pianist, keyboardist, and master of the moog synthes...
PATRICK MORAZ: An Extraordinary Keyboardist & Composer/ Prior Member of 'YES' & 'The Moody Blues' -Interview
By Ray Shasho -Interviewed June 24th 2014 Swiss native Patrick Moraz is the extraordinary keyboardist and composer for no les...
TODD RUNDGREN: AN INTERVIEW WITH A MUSICAL GENIUS
T O D D R U N D G R E N THE LEGEND AND HIS MUSIC INTERVIEWED ON THE RAY SHASHO SHOW Todd Rundg...
INTERVIEW: HEART Original Guitarist Roger Fisher "Getting Voted Out Saved My Life!"
By Ray Shasho Seattle, Washington native Roger Fisher was the hard driving electric fury that established HEART as a rock and roll po...
KEITH THIBODEAUX (LITTLE RICKY) FROM I LOVE LUCY:EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW!
K E I T H T H I B O D E A U X ICONIC ACTOR FROM I LOVE LUCY AND THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW VIRTUOSO DRUMMER W/ DAV...
By Ray Shasho When I die and they lay me to rest Gonna go to the place that's the best When I lay me down to die Goin'up to the spi...
'APRIL WINE' LEGEND MYLES GOODWYN CHATS ABOUT THE BLUES-TOURING AND A NEW ALBUM ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS W/RAY SHASHO BBS RADIO
M Y L E S G O O D W Y N SINGER-SONGWRITER-GUITARIST-PRODUCER-AUTHOR and FOUNDER OF CANADA'S LEGENDARY ROCK B...
By Ray Shasho An interview with The Moody Blues legendary keyboardist Michael Pinder Michael Pinder was affectionately labeled "...
By Ray Shasho The annual Happy Together tour kicks off on June 8 th in Biloxi, Mississippi and arrives at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwat...
An Exclusive Interview with Moody Blues Legend Ray Thomas … Ironically on a "Tuesday Afternoon"
By Ray Shasho -Interviewed December 30th 2014 There were many similarities between The Moody Blues & The Beatles . Both ...
LEGACY LIVE
BY THE OUTLAWS
BOBBY KIMBALL
WERE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE
Spectrum 40 Live
LITTLE BY LITTLE-People I've Known and Been
By Rich Little
'THE BABYS'
I'll Have Some of That!
JANET ROBBINS
I Hear Crow: Solo Piano Improvisation & Composition
RADIO EXILE
Debut Release
New Segment: Classic Rock Meets Classic TV -Ray Shasho Interviews Classic TV Icons
An Interview with Suzi Quatro, Leather Tuscadero of TV's Happy Days
Barry Livingston chats with Ray Shasho about 'The Importance of Being Ernie'
Classic TV: A Chat with (Chip) Stanley Livingston of 'My Three Sons'
Marty Ingels Interview: A Brooklyn wisecracker with hutzpah who became a TV Icon
Michael Des Barres Interview: MacGyver TV villain 'Murdoc' chats with Ray Shasho
DAVE EDMUNDS NEW ALBUM!
'RAGS AND CLASSICS'
TITS 'N ASS
-Latest from Golden Earring
NEW DATE AND TIME!
'Check the Gs' by Ray Shasho
The True Story of an Eclectic American Family and Their Wacky Family Business
(5) STAR REVIEWS FOR 'CHECK THE GS' BY RAY SHASHO
-By Yankeelin on March 14, 2014
"If I could do some time traveling I'd step back to the 60's and be a family member/co-worker at the Chin Lung Art Gallery. Nothing Chinese about it...I'd wanna be a "Cubyrian Cathojew" ! I'd wanna saff those G's to get the best PR. (laughing my butt off as I write this) Shasho has written a family memoir about his Syrian/ Cuban Catholic/Jewish mum and dad and close relatives .The work ethic, the laughter, their ways of dealing with the customers who came into their Washington DC store. It was a hoot and actually brought back memories of life from back in the day."
"Business Deals and Rock N Roll"
-By Drew Stiles on October 20, 2013
"Shasho definitely grips his readers from the very beginning. Growing up amid the DC business wasn't easy, but it was never dull--and neither is this memoir. This book is full of stories that many can relate to from their own childhood misadventures. Ultimately, it shows the inside world of what it means to be a Shasho. Also a great read for anyone that has ever felt a personal connection to music. Check it out :)"
"Check the Gs is just a really cool story and it's real"
-By Ben Stiller on October 17, 2013
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
"Check the Gs is just a really cool story ... and it's real. I'd like to see the kid on the front cover telling his story in a motion picture, TV sitcom or animated series. The characters in the story definitely jump out of the book and come to life. Very funny and scary moments throughout the story and I just love the way Ray timeline's historical events during his lifetime. Ray's love of rock music was evident throughout the book and it generates extra enthusiasm when I read his on-line classic rock music column on examiner.com. It's a wonderful read for everyone!"
"Excellent reflection of the childhood we all grew up with"
-By William G Wallin on August 25, 2013
"This autobiography shows us an amazing story of what it means to be a self-made person. Through all of life's struggles we experience and how it leads to opportunity and meeting the love of a lifetime. This is the definition of living the American Dream and exceeds the meaning for our pursuit for happiness as we journey through life. I recommend everyone to read this for you will find through our diversity we all share the challenges and struggles that make us into the people we are today. The author does an excellent job showing us how lucky we are and that hope always lies in our perseverance for finding happiness."
AVAILABLE NOW AT AMAZON.COM
MORE GREAT MUSIC SITES
Watch NITA STRAUSS Perform In Harrisburg During 'Winter Wasteland' Tour - Fan-filmed video footage of *Nita Strauss*'s January 15 performance at the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania can be seen below. Th...
The Classic Rock Music Reporter
PRODUCER MICHAEL FRANKLIN TALKS ABOUT ROBBY STEINHARDT'S POSTHUMOUS SOLO ALBUM 'NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE' EXCLUSIVE ZOOM TV INTERVIEW WITH RAY SHASHO - *NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE* *A PROG OPERA* By ROBBY STEINHARDT PRODUCED By MICHAEL FRANKLIN Featuring an all-star cast of legendary music artists *Ex...
The Morton Report/Al Kooper's column
Music Reviews: Ruth Brown, Laura Nyro, Dori Freeman, James McMurtry, Al Ross & the Planets, Bren Holmes, and Chillingsworth Surfingham - An anthology from R&B queen Ruth Brown, Laura Nyro at age 18, a Dori Freeman gem, and more new releases you ought to hear.
MUSIC LEGENDS 'HERE AND NOW'
Music Journalist Ray Shasho has been on a rock and roll pilgrimage to help promote and save the greatest music the world has ever known. Before the internet and Napster, virtuoso musicians traditionally introduced their music by way of mainstream radio stations while anxious music enthusiasts hurried to their favorite record stores and purchased a copy of the artist's latest release. Talk radio wasn't popular because there was way too much great music to play over the airwaves. Advertisers didn't rule the airwaves, the music did. Rock legends toured the world to promote their latest albums and prices of concert tickets were extremely affordable. Proficient musicians, singers and songwriters are what made the music so great!
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Madonna suggested in a new interview that she relocated her family from their Manhattan base across the Atlantic Ocean to Portugal to escape Donald Trump.
"I felt like we needed a change, and I wanted to get out of America for a minute," the singer told the magazine, according to News.com.au.
Another reason why Madonna moved to the European country was to help further her son David's budding soccer career.
"Any woman who is a soccer mom could say it kind of requires you to have no life in a way, because things change from week to week and games change from weekend to weekend — sometimes they're in the city, sometimes they're not, and we would never know until Thursday night whether they're on Saturday or Sunday, if at twelve o'clock or later," she shared.
Mnangawa seeks unity in Zimbabwe after victory.


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Education Week's blogs > Teacher Beat See our Teachers news coverage
Madeline Will
From changes to teacher evaluation to the inner workings of the teachers' unions, reporter Madeline Will keeps you up to date on the biggest issues shaping the teaching profession today.
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Fla. Lawmakers to Expand Controversial Bonuses in Lieu of Pay Raises
By Emmanuel Felton on March 16, 2017 7:50 PM
Despite a push earlier this year by Florida Governor Rick Scott to replace the state's controversial Best and Brightest teacher bonus scheme—which awards teachers largely based on their sometimes decades-old college entrance exam scores—state lawmakers are looking to expand the program.
The Naples Daily News reports that state Senator David Simmons, the chairman of the senate's preK-12 education appropriations subcommittee, has given up on getting $200 million for teacher salary increases, and has instead thrown his weight behind efforts to expand the Best and Brightest program. He says that the program is key for attracting and retaining good teachers
"We need to retain the teachers who meet the highest standards and inspire students who are still in school to come into the profession," Simmons told the Daily News.
Currently, the program is just open to educators who are rated highly effective on the state's evaluation system and who scored in the top 20 percent on the SAT or ACT college-entrance exams. Legislators in both the house and senate have plans to expand the program. In the house plan, the program would be expanded to teachers who graduated from with at least a 3.7 GPA and scored in the top 30 percent on college-entrance tests. The plan also adds graduate school entrance tests like the GMAT, GRE, MCAT and LSAT to the mix. The senate plan is even more generous, seeking to expand the program, lowering the threshold to a 3.0 college GPA.
State Representative Rene Plasencia, a Republican from Orlando, said he likes the idea of increasing teacher pay through bonuses because that way lawmakers could bypass local union-district bargaining processes, distributing funds the way legislators in Tallahassee see fit.
"Our intentions are carried out because it goes directly from us to the teachers," Plasencia told the Orlando Sentinel.
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