The Spirit of 76

Today I choose to remember David Bowie on what would have been his 76th Birthday. Yeah, I know I rarely if ever do this, but there are very few people who have had this much influence over my life.

He was my very first concert that I went and saw without my parents. I have also been lucky enough to have met him. He came into the legendary Tower Records on the Sunset Strip when I worked there back in the day. He was everything you'd imagine he'd be, truly an amazing, humble being.

As I look back on my life, I know part of who I am today is because of Mr. Bowie. 

"There's a Starman waiting in the sky, He'd like to come and meet us, But he thinks he'd blow our minds" 

Keep on shining Starman, consider my mind blown.

David Bowie on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowie  

Memories: All Things Must Pass

My first job in Los Angeles was at the famed Tower Records on the Sunset Strip. I met so many celebrities there most notably the late great David Bowie. I also made a few friends along the way, hey Tammy Laub!

Established in 1960, Tower Records was once a retail powerhouse with 200 stores, in 30 countries, on five continents. From humble beginnings in a small-town drugstore, Tower Records eventually became the heart and soul of the music world, and a powerful force in the music industry. In 1999, Tower Records made an astounding $1 billion. In 2006, the company filed for bankruptcy. What went wrong? Everyone thinks they know what killed Tower Records: The Internet. But that's not the story.

Directed by Colin Hanks, and featuring music icons like Dave Grohl, Elton John and Bruce Springsteen, All Things Must Pass is a feature documentary film examining this iconic company's explosive trajectory, tragic demise, and legacy forged by its rebellious founder Russ Solomon. For seven years, Hanks took on the documentary that lamented and celebrated the Sacramento-based record store that grew from his hometown into an American retail powerhouse.

"I remember buying 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was the informative record for me on my musical path, which I bought at Tower Records," he said.

Variety validated the efforts of Hanks saying the film was "soundly constructed, briskly paced and, in the end, affectingly wistful." 

The DVD can be ordered now at the MVD Shop 

Are You A "Crate Digger?"

Crate Digger: An Obsession With Punk Records

by Bob Suren

Available on June 9th - Trade Paperback, 192 Pages - $14.95

An insider's account of the last 30 years of punk rock and vinyl records, 

including new information on many punk luminaries. 

Oh how fondly I remember "crate digging" - it was so much fun, I would go to the Tower Records once a week and find out what new vinyl I could buy, punk included. Yes, I was and still am a Punk Rocker!!!

Bob Suren spent more than 30 years immersed in punk rock. His obsession with punk music, culture, and especially record collecting began with a loaned mix tape in a small town in Florida when he was a teenager and slowly took over all aspects of his life.

He started a record label and distribution company, opened a record store, managed a thriving bootleg merchandise empire, published a magazine, promoted shows, and traveled the world with his own band. He mentored generations of younger punks and built a movement that put Florida on the map. He stayed a step ahead of all the ups and downs of the music industry, always pioneering.

Join Bob as he hangs out with punk luminaries like Jello Biafra, The Meatmen, Raw Power, Black Flag, The Dead Boys, Millions of Dead Cops, Rattus, and more. He relates his (mis)adventures breaking his curfew to see the Dead Boys' last show, almost getting arrested after seeing the Ramones, touring with his bands in Egypt, Ecuador, Brazil, and more.

As Jeff Nelson of Minor Threat said, "Really brings to life the early days of the American punk scene as it spread slowly across the country, through turntables, fanzines, and word of mouth. His vivid vinyl recollections illustrate how good record stores and adventurous college radio stations were so essential in bringing startling new music into the lives of many previously isolated kids. It follows the trajectory of a kid-turned-concert-promoter as his passion for music became all-consuming." 

Then one day it all fell apart. He'd built up his life like a record collection, but it didn't satisfy him anymore. He sold everything, dropped out, moved far from home to start fresh... and wrote this book.

Crate Digger is written in short spurts tied to actual records. The result is real, heartfelt, and deeply informed by the music of the last thirty years. It's a basic piece of your punk history collection. 

"Bob Suren delivers some great punk rawk history through anecdote and wit, intermingled with personal stories of love, loss, the characters that have come and gone and that elusive hunk of vinyl that's just around the next corner.... All spanning 30 years of Bob's life." 

- Ami Lawless, Voetsek 

"More than just your typical "record guide," Crate Digger allows us to accompany Bob on his passionate 30+ year punk rock journey. The anecdotal approach reminds us that, for the passionate music fan, there's a personal connection to a particular record that often conjures up various memories, both good and bad." 

- Al Quint, Suburban Voice magazine and Sonic Overload Radio. 

Purchase:  http://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/5296/

My Meeting With David Bowie

This week has been a big one for music legend David Bowie. He turned 66 years young and he has released his first song in a decade "Where Are We Now". With an album to follow in March.

Yes! Anything Mr. Bowie does is head and shoulders above what's out there now. It also reminded me of the time I met The Legend.

Now, I am seldom, if ever get "Star Struck" - in fact most people are a polite "Hello" nice to meet you situation.

But David Bowie, well now that was an entirely different thing. I was working my first job upon arriving in Los Angeles, CA at the once landmark, now gone Tower Records on the Sunset Strip.

Minding my own business and stocking the shelves of the tape department (cassettes not 8 tracks) - I walked by David two times, when I finally registered he was in the store. I dropped my tape box and ran into the backroom of the store so as not to embarrass myself and screamed like a teenage girl: "Oh My God, it's David Bowie, he's out there in the store"!

After regaining my composure I walked back out and got a Tin Machine album and ripped the plastic off so he could autograph it as did my fellow co-workers.

Bowie was gracious, down earth, not to mention humble. When someone I worked with said: "Mr. Bowie it is an honor you are such a legend" His response was "Oh please, I'm not that big of a deal".

This was also in the era before camera phones, otherwise I am sure the gracious Bowie would have done photos with all of us.

David Bowie is an amazing artist and man who deserves everything he has rightfully earned, not to mention being one of the coolest people on the planet. Also the only famous person I ever got gaga over meeting.

Happy 66th David - and cheers to your latest "Where Are We Now"....!

"

"When I looked in her eyes they were blue but nobody home" : www.davidbowie.com