#Johnny J> Blair

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SATURDAY MATINEE MUSIC VIDEO: Davy Jones & Micky Dolenz Live @ Disney Epcot May 7, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLydK9B_EmA Starting in 1995, Davy Jones and band appeared annually at Disney Epcot, routinely booked for 3-5 days, 3 sets a day, with dates usually set around Mother’s Day (though I recall some as early as March). People from around the world attended, with some scheduling their vacations around it. Davy brought me in on keyboards for the 1997 series (I remember Sandy Gennaro winging broken drum sticks at me) then every year from 2005 to 2011. We had great food, fun, laughs, and good times, and the Disney staff treated us like royalty. For me it was an opportunity to catch up with Floridian family and friends. Sometimes guests such as Flo & Eddie would drop in, and on this occasion, Micky Dolenz literally rolled on to the stage. Hard to believe that 13 years has flown by since we were up on that hot stage by the lake—and it was the last time we did it. Immediately after wrapping up the Epcot shows, everyone got on a plane for England to begin the 2011 Monkees reunion tour… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLydK9B_EmA

#davyjones #monkees #mickydolenz #disneyepcot #disney #mothersday #johnnyjblair #floandeddie #sandygennaro #beyondo #ericbiondo #felipetorres #avivamaloney #davidrobicheau #daverobicheau #concert

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Del Varner was murdered on January 3, 2257. ("The Gathering" Babylon 5, TV Event)

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Chris Andrews SONG OF THE WEEK: “Love is All” https://timchrisandrews.bandcamp.com/track/love-is-all —Dreamy synth-pop song-crafting + sublime vocal and keyboard work. On a cosmic jukebox this ballad would play next to Naked Eyes, Gerry Rafferty, and “Take My Breath Away” (Berlin). If this is your introduction to Chris Andrews, he’s a British singer-songwriter and recording artist whose songs have been covered by Roger Daltrey, David Essex, and Davy Jones (Monkees). Under the name Tim Andrews he was a champion of late 60s psychedelic pop scene and part of the seminal freakbeat band Fleur de Lys. In the 80s, under the name Kris Ryder, he released New Wave synthpop sides. Check out what Chris is up to now…

https://timchrisandrews.bandcamp.com/track/love-is-all

#chrisandrews #synthpop #electronica #europop #britpop #poprock #singersongwriter #love #missingpersons #nakedeyes #berlin #popmusic #fleurdelys #krisryder #davyjones #monkees #rogerdaltrey #davidessex #gerryrafferty #johnnyjblair

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SONG OF THE WEEK “You Won’t Be Seeing Me Anymore” by Tim Andrews w/Gordon Haskell https://timchrisandrews.bandcamp.com/track/you-wont-be-seeing-me-anymore  The late musician Gordon Haskell was often noted for his role in an early incarnation of King Crimson. However, beyond that he was a prolific singer-songwriter who, after years as a “starving folksinger,” found success in the 90s with the hit single “How Wonderful You Are” and the platinum album HARRY’S BAR. Before all those successes he worked with Chris Andrews (a.k.a. Tim Andrews) in the “freakbeat” band Fleur de Lys, springboard for the careers of Pete Sears (Jefferson Starship) and guitar hero Bryn Haworth.

In 1967 Gordon wrote and played bass and guitar on “You Won’t Be Seeing Me Anymore.” The track was recorded in London, but it has a folk-pop California sound that could’ve come from Laurel Canyon or San Francisco. On a cosmic jukebox this would play next to It’s A Beautiful Day (“White Bird”) and Love. The lyrics are aboutseasonal love, coming from a young man who travels for a long time and leaves his troubled sweetheart behind. The track was produced by Paul Clay (Ace Kefford, Sharon Tandy, early Yes) and Mike Noble (Joan Armatrading, Fleur de Lys, John Kongos). It was the B-side of “Sad Simon Lives Again,” Tim’s first solo single after he’d signed with renowned producer, promoter, and music executive Tony Hall (who’d plugged The Beatles, Carmen McRae, and inked Black Sabbath’s first record deal). Tim later reverted to his real name Chris and went on as a solo act and a collaborator with Roger Daltrey, David Essex, and Davy Jones (Monkees). Meanwhile, enjoy this rare track:

https://timchrisandrews.bandcamp.com/track/you-wont-be-seeing-me-anymore

#timandrews #chrisandrews #gordonhaskell #fleurdelys #kingcrimson #harrysbar #California #LaurelCanyon #SanFrancisco #Love #Itsabeautifulday #whitebird #tonyhall #London #Parlophone #singersongwriter #rogerdaltrey #davidessex #davyjones #monkees

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Happy Heavenly Birthday to Man Ray (1890-1976), the pioneer of visual art and “found objects.” He was born in American but spent most of his career in Paris, becoming an informal contributor to the Dada and Surrealist movements surrounding him. His career intersected with Salvador Dali, Marcel Duchamp, Pablo Picasso, and a hit list of actors, artists, dancers, filmmakers, and musicians. Despite Ray tagging himself as “just a painter,” he produced major works in a variety of media and is best known for his pioneering photography—specially fashion and portrait photography. He is also noted for his work with photograms (photographic images made not with a camera but with light exposure) which he called “Rayographs.” In the 1920s he directed and appeared in a number of avant-garde films, including the 1924 urban fantasy ENTR’ACTE (directed by René Clair). Ray appears with Frances Picabia, playing chess on a chessboard that transforms into a city center with busses and cars. I used this scene in a video for my song “It’s In Your Hands,” with music that quotes heavily from Erik Satie (who also appeared in ENTR’ACTE). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxReq4Xr-U8 Meanwhile, thank you Man for getting us to see the art in everything.

#manray #birthday #visualart #foundobjects #foundthings #Paris #dadaism #surrealism #salvadordali #marcelduchamp #pablopicasso #painter #photography #photogram #rayograph #avantgarde #reneclair #francespicabia #eriksatie #entracte #art #johnnyjblair #gnosseinnes

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Adam22, Felice Allesandri, Clem Burke, Dale Carnegie, Billy Connolly, Denise Crosby, Candy Darling, Howard Duff, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Colin Hanks, the great American composer Scott Joplin, producer-songwriter Terry Lewis, Stanley Livingston, Lee Michaels, Charles Theodore Pachebel, Elvis Ramone, Dave Sinclair (Caravan, Hatfield & the North), Baruch Spinoza, Staind, Chad Taylor (Live), keyboardist Richard Tee, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Robin Williamson (Incredible String Band), Teddy Wilson, Jim Yester (The Association), and Pete Best, the original drummer for The Beatles. That’s him on the Decca audition tapes and other early recordings. Deep Beatlemaniacs know that, in 1962, Best was replaced by Ringo Starr, which led to the classic line-up of the Fab Four. That episode is shrouded in urban legend, including rumors that Best was sacked because he was a bigger “chick magnet” than Paul McCartney. The true reason was more prosaic—Ringo had more experienced chops. It was an emotionally-wrenching career move for both Best and the other Beatles as they’d grown up together in Liverpool.

Best retired from drumming in the late 60s and became a civil servant. Then the 1995 Beatles ANTHOLOGY restored him to the public eye. At the behest of family, fans, and friends, Best formed a band and hit the road. In 2005 I was playing keyboards for The Davy Jones Band at a music festival in Newport, Rhode Island, and The Pete Best Band opened with a raw, rowdy rave up show, replicating the Beatles Cavern Club rock’n’roll set from the early 60s. It was a blast to watch! I lost my photo of Pete and I at the catering tent, but in this video I’m watching sidestage w/family members. HB Pete and God bless your rock’n’roll heart!

#beatles #petebest #drums #drummer #britishinvasion #davyjones #monkees #anthology #ringostarr #paulmccartney #cavernclub #liverpool #rhodeisland #newport #musicfestival #keyboards #johnnyjblair

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Rowan Atkinson, David Bowie’s 1978 “Beauty & The Beast” single, Paul Brindley (The Sundays), Max Bruch, Capucine, Sandy Denny, Kahlil Gibran, the groovy HAPPENING ’68 TV show, Mickey Hargitay, Michael Houser (Widespread Panic), Van McCoy, Tom Mix, Nek, Sandra Oh, Laudir de Oliveira, the 1963 New York theatrical opening of the musical OLIVER! w/Davy Jones, singer Chris Pilcher (good to sing with you), Giuseppe Sammartini, Carl Sandburg, Franz Xaver Scharwenka, Alexander Scriabin, Earl Scruggs, bassist Andy Seal (good to play with you), John Singleton, Kathy Sledge, John Smith, Charles Sumner, Ebo Taylor, Nino Tempo, Danny Thomas, Doris Troy, Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys), Kim Wilson, Paul Wilson (The Flamingos), Loretta Young, Malcolm Young, Yukana, and Syd Barrett, the famously troubled musician, guitar pioneer, singer-songwriter, and co-founder of Pink Floyd. Syd was a poster boy for 60s psychedelia—an influential and fascinating madcap who wrote most of PF’s early touchstones (“See Emily Play). Meanwhile, in Syd’s short and stormy career, he set the tone for experimental and edgy pop music, inspiring David Bowie, Flaming Lips, Robyn Hitchcock, Paul McCartney, XTC, and many more. Here’s my take of “Remember a Day” from Floyd’s SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS album and one of the last songs Syd did with the band. HB Syd—Shine on you crazy diamond…

 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbw4UpvBi8U

 

#birthday #sydbarrett #pinkfloyd #guitarist #rickwright #johnnyjblair #singeratlarge

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SUNDAY MATINEE MUSIC VIDEO “Daydream Believer” + “It’s Going to Be Different” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4biM3K_QCX8 Two songs I did as host of an Open Mic at San Francisco Lighthouse. I shared a memory about the many times I've played "Daydream Believer" with Davy Jones and The Monkees, and we’ll be playing it on my upcoming gig at Monkey House in Berkeley CA (Sat. 2/22). The second song (my original composition) is getting a lot of interest and will be released on my next album, WE’RE GETTING CLOSER TO THE SUN. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4biM3K_QCX8

#johnnyjblair #singeratlarge #monkees #davyjones #singersongwriter #sanfrancisco #powerpop #artrock #gospel #americana #lighthouse  #sanfranciscolighthouse #neilfinn #paulmccartney #beatles #monkeyhouse #berkeley

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PAUL WILLIAMS. In addition to his amazing run as an actor and singer-songwriter, he wrote or co-wrote (with Biff Rose and Roger Nichols) songs covered by David Bowie, The Carpenters (“Rainy Days & Mondays,” “We’ve Only Just Begun”), Jack Jones, The Muppets, Helen Reddy, 3 Dog Night (“Old Fashioned Love Song”—also covered by Micky Dolenz), and Dionne Warwick—not to mention award-winning film and TV scores. He’s been Chairman and President of ASCAP since 2009 and is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In recent years he’s had a resurgence, working with Richard Barone, Daft Punk, and The Scissor Sisters. Somewhere he’s found time to take up skydiving and become a UCLA certified Drug Rehabilitation Counselor, co-authoring the book GRATITUDE & TRUST: RECOVERY IS NOT JUST FOR ADDICTS. 

Paul wrote the confessional “Someday Man” as a single for The Monkees. Upon release in 1968, it under-performed and got lost as a “deep cut” + Paul’s own version didn’t do much better. However, as cream rises to the top, in time the sophisticated and art-y song grew in popularity, in part because Davy Jones revived it for his solo set in 2009. Now it’s considered to be a Jones/Monkees evergreen and (speaking as a former band member) it was one of our favorites to play. Here’s the song from the 2011 tour Davy did w/The Monkees. Meanwhile, HB PW and thank you for your many musical gems.

#monkees #davyjones #paulwilliams #somedayman #paulgilbert #biffrose #rogernichols #davidbowie #carpenters #jackjones #muppets #helenreddy #3dognight #mickydolenz #dionnewarwick #detroit #johnnyjblair #foxtheatre #richardbarone #daftpunk #scissorsisters #recovery #skydiving

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE MONKEES + SATURDAY MATINEE MUSIC VIDEO – The Monkees “Porpoise Song” (live 2011) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgV3KLUrhAw This week in 1966, THE MONKEES TV show premiered and changed everything in popular music, television, and multi-media. Someday I’m going to write out my “journey with The Monkees.” Like millions of other pre-teens in 1966-67, I caught on to their music and their cutting-edge show that was a form of rock’n’roll psychedelic vaudeville. Frank Zappa and The Beatles were amongst their fans, and John Lennon said he “never missed an episode.” Little did I imagine that one day I’d professionaly work with The Monkees. 

One day I was doing an interview and was asked, “What’s your favorite Monkees song?” My knee-jerk response is “Porpoise Song.” Besides being my #1 favorite Monkees song to perform and listen to, this was the only uncut footage I could find of us doing “Porpoise Song” on the American wing of the 2011 tour (thanks to Joey PGH1 for capturing this @ Merrillville IN 6-30-11). According to Monkees-authority/historian/manager Andrew Sandoval (who guided the 2011 international tour), the original recording was the most elaborate production in Monkees history. Cashbox magazine compared it to “I Am The Walrus,” and for me it felt like participating in a Pink Floyd set. Written by Carole King & Gerry Goffin (who created the porpoise theme), the song bookended the 1968 film HEAD, the deconstruction of The Monkees mythology.

Personnel on this performance: 

Micky Dolenz: drums & lead vocals 

Davy Jones: percussion & vocals 

Peter Tork: slide guitar & vocals 

Wayne Avers: lead slide guitar 

Eric Biondo: trumpet 

Johnny J. Blair: bass & vocals + video-enhancement (2023) 

Arnold Jacks: saxophone 

Aviva Maloney: keyboards, saxophone, & vocals 

Jimmy Riccitelli: keyboards & vocals 

David Robicheau: guitar & vocals 

Andrew Sandoval: visuals 

Felipe Torres: drums & vocals 

Chris von Sneidern: remastering (2023) 

#mickydolenz #themonkees #porpoisesong #headmovie #psychedelicrock #poprock #actor #director #producer #vocalist #singer #johnnyjblair #bassist #monkeestour #caroleking #gerrygoffin #andrewsandoval #birthday #davyjones #michaelnesmith #petertork

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NEW VIDEO! 

The Monkees "Randy Scouse Git" live @ The Greek Theatre, July 16, 2011

#mickydolenz #davyjones #petertork #themonkees #thebeatles #mikenesmith #johnlennon #paulmccartney #geoergeharrison #ringostarr #london #poprock #actor #director #producer #vocalist #singer #johnnyjblair #bassist #monkeestour #andrewsandoval #tympani #stanfreberg #bobbyhart #emittrhodes #nuritwilde #greektheatre

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PETER NOONE, the great singer/actor/musician and front man for the uber-successful British Invasion pop band, Herman’s Hermits. Their run included 3 feature films, countless TV appearances, tours with The Beatles and The Who, and 60 million records sold, with songs written by Sam Cooke, Ray Davies, Goffin-King, and Graham Gouldman. Originally from Manchester, Peter was 12 years old when he entered showbiz. Davy Jones (also from Manchester) told me that when Peter was a “teen idol” on magazines he still had to take the trash out as he was still living at home with his folks. Beyond the 60s, Peter kept on making records, intersecting with Bruce Johnston (Beach Boys), Tom Petty, Phil Seymour, and David Bowie—who produced and played on Peter’s cover of “Oh You Pretty Things.” I also recommend The Tremblers, Peter’s New Wave rock band from 1979. Meanwhile, Peter is still on the trail with the current Hermits line-up, crooning “Mrs. Brown,” “There’s a Kind of Hush” and his other hits. I crossed paths with Peter on the road many times, and I admire the way he avails himself to his fans. Meanwhile, here’s “Today’s the Day,” a Peter Noone/DavyJones collaboration from 1998. HB PN and thank you for the years of musical joy you’ve given to us.

#peternoone #hermanshermits #thetremblers #raydavies #grahamgouldman #manchester #davyjones #monkees #brucejohnston #beachboys #tompetty #philseymour #davidbowie #prettythings #seanmcguire #phillipthornalley

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MONDAY MATINEE MUSIC VIDEO “Gentle Harp” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRPQYrQE6hI …When Chris Andrews isn’t creating musicals, rock’n’roll, or funky pop songs, he composes ambient instrumental music to soothe the ears and mind. "Gentle Harp" began as an easeful lullaby, but the video expands into a tribute to the lighthearted genius of Harpo Marx. It also pays tribute to the diverse people and characters who play the harp. On a cosmic jukebox this would play somewhere between Enya and Vangelis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRPQYrQE6hI

#HarpoMarx #MarxBrothers #harp #harpmusic #harpist #gentleharp #chrisandrews #composer #ambientmusic #neoclassical #vangelis #enya #newagemusic #hoveUK

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HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY to the legendary Nico: Actress, model, musician, and singer-songwriter. Born in Germany as Christa Päffgen, her career is well documented—from being cast in Fellini’s LA DOLCE VITA and singing on the landmark first Velvet Underground album, then embarking on a long career as a Teutonic chanteuse. Her reputation as “Andy Warhol’s eye candy” couldn’t limit her as she went on to create music with a compelling future-primitive goth-folk quality—eerie and gauzy yet somehow endearing. Her best-known albums were produced by John Cale and Eno, but her 80s recordings are well-worth seeking out as well. She died suddenly and tragically at age 49 after a bicycle accident. 

In late 1978 she performed a series of shows at Mabuhay Gardens in San Francisco. It was just her voice and her harmonium— an enigmatic set considering The Mab mostly staged rowdy punk/New Wave bands. I met her briefly, recorded her shows for my own enjoyment, then uploaded them on reel-to-reel tapes. A few years later I loaned the tapes to an associate who never returned them. Many years after that, my recordings mysteriously appeared on a French bootleg series. Those tapes got a lot of mileage. HB Nico and thank you for your spirit. This video approximates what we saw at the Mab...

#nico #christapaffgen #velvetunderground #singersongwriter #johnnyjblair #harmonium #mabuhaygardens #sanfrancisco #birthdays

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HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY to Greg Lake, legendary singer-songwriter, pioneering influencer of bass and guitar, co-founder of King Crimson, and lead vocalist for Emerson Lake & Palmer. 

To celebrate Greg’s storied career, one could make a long list of deep cuts and hit songs that are now touchstones of classic rock, from “Lucky Man” to “From the Beginning.” The music of ELP and KC are pivotal to my early development as a musician, and in my solo set I do “Cat Food” and “I Talk to the Wind.” I video’d a version with little preparation, raw-recording it at home on 21 January 2021 (1-21-21). I forsook the solos, not daring to replicate Ian McDonald’s sublime flute work on the original, but I did sing it after Lake’s original evocative model. Pete Sinfield’s lyrics seem to be about a person (straight man) trying to communicate with someone who is self-absorbed or narcissistic (late man), and it’s better to move on and be done with discouragement. Pop Matters called it “a stunning tone-poem of melancholy (that) somehow manages to be somber and gorgeous.” Meanwhile, HB to GL…”Welcome back my friend to the show that never ends…”

#KingCrimson #IanMcDonald #petesinfield #GregLake #JudyDyble #wind #progressiverock #jazzrock #folkrock #Britishrock #classicrock #johnnyjblair #singeratlarge #pianist #sanfrancisco #courtofthecrimsonking

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the phenomenal Linda Rondstadt. She built an unsurpassable career on a singular voice and a classic stage sensibility, interpreting hundreds of songs on virtually every musical platform I could name: Classical, country, New Wave rock, opera, pop, showtunes & standards, theatre, and world music. 

Linda retired from performing and recording in 2011 when she came down with a form of aggressive palsy, but she still gets around. I met her in 2013 when she came into Guitar Center to get her guitar worked on. She and I have mutual acquaintances in the music biz and, once the dazzle wore off, the vibe became easeful and low-key, like a multiple award winning artist was really just another musician hanging out in a music shop with the crew. To me it’s heartening that someone with an affliction such as hers can still go home and enjoy music-making.

Here’s a cover of her breakthrough song “Different Drum.” Mike Nesmith wrote this in 1966 and, a year later, it became a hit for Linda Ronstadt & the Stone Poneys. The original track had a unique blend of Californianized baroque pop and country. Our cover is from a 1998 recording session I did with The Third National Band, a Mike Nesmith tribute project. The original had a strings. Since we didn’t have a string orchestra handy, I played those parts on harpsichord:

Meanwhile, HB Linda—thank you for your years of innovation and for giving us an incredible body of song!

#lindaronstadt #birthday #michaelnesmith #mikenesmith #differentdrum #johnnyjblair #sanfrancisco