tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post1157496167678867729..comments2024-01-31T11:37:10.331-06:00Comments on Born-Again Hippies: What, and Get Out Of Show Business?Randy Haspelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371114789022032381noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-90136807916430425412018-09-02T01:27:52.283-05:002018-09-02T01:27:52.283-05:00I just now stumbled across this post, more than ni...I just now stumbled across this post, more than nine years after the fact. And I'm glad I did. It stirred my memories of a nearly-forgotten period in my career.<br /><br />I played piano and sang for over 35 years, during which time I never held another job. My work took me all over the country, living in Houston, Nashville, New Orleans, Key West, and yes, Memphis.<br /><br />The stars must have been aligned in 1978, because I left Houston in search of greener pastures and wound up in Memphis quite by accident. Within 24 hours of arriving in town, I scored a gig with Silver City, a progressive country group whose first record had recently been released nationwide. They were playing at the Prospector, and I joined them. We played all up and down Madison. I remember Solomon Alfred very fondly. Trader Dick's also. I later played with Tony Joe White on a couple of tours, as well as a month or two at POET's Music Hall with the Rick Snyder/Jody McCarthy band. During that period, I also was fortunate to get the call to play on a Charly McClain album.<br /><br />Thing is, I was only in Memphis for about nine months, leaving around May of 1979, but reading this post makes me think they were the perfect nine months to be there. I got to see some fantastic bands in the Overton Square area, as well as meet some of the old Sun Records artists who were still around town.<br /><br />Because I was only there for such a short time, I relegated my Memphis experience to that of a slot-filler, occupying those few months between my eight years in Houston and my five years in Nashville. Thanks so much for posting this and jogging my memory. I now treasure my time in Memphis. Mike Dennishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12124608976443034287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-19286306859242834322009-03-09T17:36:00.000-05:002009-03-09T17:36:00.000-05:00It' time to start playing taps for America...she w...It' time to start playing taps for America...she won't survive the next four years. I guess Comrade Obama will oversee the re-structuring of the coming totalitarian regime.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-56151121113478436282009-03-08T17:03:00.000-05:002009-03-08T17:03:00.000-05:00The reason that we look back wistfully to the 'old...The reason that we look back wistfully to the 'old' days is because we were young then. We look back to many memories, but the matrix in which everything transpired was youth. I think that it is youth that we miss most. When you have youth you have everything... health, vitality, hope, optimism, and no time horizon. You have all the time in the world and the vitality to do anything. Remember when every weekend was loaded with fun and looked forward to all week long? Old folks spend more time looking back, because there is nothing ahead but the rapidly approaching brick wall of their mortality.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-85817466970014837312009-03-07T22:21:00.000-06:002009-03-07T22:21:00.000-06:00Listening to the "Memphis Beat" CD one c...Listening to the "Memphis Beat" CD one can't help but wonder What Might Have Been. Especially "Truth From My Eyes"--what a great, well crafted song, the writing, the vocalist, the background singers, what a great song.<BR/><BR/>At that time Lennon & McCartney were only a few years from warbling puerile "Love me do, You know I love, you, I'll always be true" and Jagger/Richards were still doing Chuck Berry covers. The Radiants were beyond Garage Band status, there was already a professional confidence that showed in the music.<BR/><BR/>(Of course there's the one caveat: it's difficult to imagine a bunch of white kids from East Memphis in Gant shirts and Weejuns being taken seriously when they do Bo Diddley, "I may look like I'm a farmer, But I'm a lover")<BR/><BR/>Still . . . something Joe Strummer of the Clash said, talking about a the collective magic a band can make, "Sometimes two and two don't make four, sometimes it makes fourteen."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-67518491484848472282009-03-07T09:17:00.000-06:002009-03-07T09:17:00.000-06:00Ahhh, Father Farken, you warm the cockles of me he...Ahhh, Father Farken, you warm the cockles of me heart.And you certainly recognize talent when you hear it. Good note.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-11088468476639112952009-03-06T23:46:00.000-06:002009-03-06T23:46:00.000-06:00Congratulations are in order for Randy Haspel &am...Congratulations are in order for Randy Haspel & Bob Simon in their 50 years of great authentic, solid, inspiring rock & roll! Elvis, Scotty & Billy didn't have 50 years! Lennon & McCartney didn't have 50 years! And G*D only knows how long The Los StraightJackets will last! Sputnik! Miss Kitty would be proud! All of the extended family of Mempho are proad! May the Rising come to Mid-Town! LONG LIVE THE RADIANTS! The Peace of the Lord! Fr. Farken PM:To Anon.03/6/09, 9:07PM Now you are showing some heart!Father Farkenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00571295113979156361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-10664773627549244322009-03-06T21:07:00.000-06:002009-03-06T21:07:00.000-06:00Well, actually I'm about ready to give up. Believe...Well, actually I'm about ready to give up. Believe it or not I hate politics and politicians. I guess I am just ornery and sometimes I feel guilty for picking on ya'll. Actually, I believe in live and let live, and to each his own. But, I am a rebel and could never resist a good fight. Maybe we should all just take a toke for the good old days and get drunk (maybe stay drunk). By the way, I loved your music and have a great respect for musicians. I was at Lafayette's one night when you were playing. You encouraged everyone there to get drunk and crazy. I thought, 'There's a man after my own heart'. And another thing, I am very socially liberal, but economically conservative. I am the type who could never personally deny anyone in need. So, I live in perpetual conflict and cognitive dissonance. It bothers me that you are sick and are having trouble with getting treatment. That cause the liberal to rise up within me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-69740584099612375202009-03-06T19:57:00.000-06:002009-03-06T19:57:00.000-06:00Mr. Anon. You're entitled to say what you wish, bu...Mr. Anon. You're entitled to say what you wish, but this post was sorta' about music. We'll be back to breathing fire soon.<BR/>RJHRandy Haspelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15371114789022032381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-27376630037917558072009-03-06T19:55:00.000-06:002009-03-06T19:55:00.000-06:00This is an obit for a great talent and pal, Mark S...This is an obit for a great talent and pal, Mark Sallings.<BR/><BR/>Mark Sallings, R.I.P.<BR/>Posted Sunday, March 1, 2009, at 2:37 PM<BR/><BR/>"No Frail Jokes, No Regrets." <BR/>That blurb appeared in bold print on the back of The Famous Unknowns' 1993 debut CD, Upclose and Personal. <BR/><BR/>While it no doubt was stretched across the band of the smokin' blues band's initial compact disc to draw attention to the product inside, it very well could also have served as front man Mark Sallings' credo. <BR/><BR/>"No Frail Jokes, No Regrets." <BR/><BR/>Sallings died in an automobile accident Feb. 25 in Crawfordsville, on the road to Tunica to do what he did best - play the blues for another set of eager fans. <BR/><BR/>And though he has left this earth, Sallings surely left no regrets behind. <BR/><BR/>Throughout the history of the blues, travel-weary musicians have told countless tales of endless nights on the road, traveling from one low-paying gig to another - night, after night, after night. <BR/><BR/>They do this not for the adoration, or to get rich. <BR/><BR/>Heck, most of the time they're lucky if they even scrape together enough money after a gig to just cover gas expenses. <BR/><BR/>They do this because they truly love what they do. Playing the blues. That was most certainly the case for Mark Sallings. <BR/><BR/>That was why the Searcy-born Sallings, after over three decades of living life out of a suitcase, still took to the road countless nights throughout the year. <BR/><BR/>To help spread the gospel of the blues, whether in front of 100,000 fans at the King Biscuit Blues Festival, or in front of 10 or 15 people inside a cramped, weathered juke joint. <BR/><BR/>Wherever he went, Sallings carried with him the true spirit of the Delta blues. <BR/><BR/>Sallings and The Famous Unknowns were so well loved in Tunica, that a few years ago, they played 35 nights in a span of 42 days. <BR/><BR/>The 57-year-old Sallings' calling card was the ability to get a crowd up off its feet and get the dance floor movin' and groovin.' He switched between harp, sax, keyboards and flute, injecting the Unknowns' gritty blues with a blast of cool, Chicago-style swing. <BR/><BR/>His vocals were expressive and fluid, but it was for his harmonica work that Sallings was known up and down both coasts for. <BR/><BR/>Just take a quick listen to "Marks Harpo" off Upclose and Personal, or "Blues Acres" from Let it be Known for an introduction to the warm, rich sound of Sallings on harp. <BR/><BR/>Sallings, born on April 11, 1952, grew up in McCrory and was smitten at an early age with the music of blues legends like Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Reed and Lightnin' Hopkins, artists who would all have a major impact on his choice of a career. <BR/><BR/>As a teenager, Sallings played the same hallowed ground that icons like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash had played - the famed Silver Moon Club in Newport. <BR/>Soon after graduating from high school, Sallings hit the road to Memphis and joined the Coon Elder Band. <BR/><BR/>Playing mostly an offshoot of country music with Coon Elder Band, Sallings changed gears in the early 1980s and played straight-ahead hard rock with Rick Christian and the WhiteBoys, a group that toured with Rush and The Police, among other heavyweights. <BR/><BR/>Then in 1988, The Famous Unknowns were born. <BR/><BR/>Touring the world as a member of country superstar David Lynn Jones' backing band, Sallings along with guitar player Gerry Moss and bass player Jerry Bone, started playing together as a group apart from Jones, on nights that Jones had no shows scheduled to perform. <BR/><BR/>It didn't take these talented musicians long at all to decide they had something special going and they embarked on their own path, playing blues, soul, funk and anything else that they took a mind to play. <BR/><BR/>And the reason for the name, The Famous Unknowns? <BR/><BR/>According to Sallings, it was partly "because of the time spent backing up legends or performing with them." <BR/><BR/>It didn't take the Unknowns very long to become legends in their own right. <BR/><BR/>Just three short years after forming, the Famous Unknowns became the first house band at B.B. King Blues Club in Memphis. <BR/><BR/>But like all bands eventually seem to do, the original lineup of The Famous Unknowns went their separate way after releasing Upclose and Personal. <BR/>Moss left to form Gerry Moss and the Drive. He was replaced on guitar by Tony Spinner. <BR/><BR/>Bone stayed on for awhile and with Sallings, Spinner, drummer Victor Lukenbaugh and Ray Reach on Hammond B-3, released Let it be Known on Vent records in 1995. <BR/><BR/>After that lineup split in various directions, Sallings embarked on a solo career. <BR/><BR/>But it wasn't long after that Sallings was traveling the road with another edition of Famous Unknowns, featuring Bob Horn on guitar, Don Garrett on bass and Craig Keys on drums. <BR/><BR/>Sallings was endorsed by Hohner Harmonicas and Peavey Electronics and played with some legendary names, including Albert King, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Steve Cropper, Rufus Thomas and a host of others. <BR/><BR/>Sallings leaves behind a wife and three children.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-86167107072975953632009-03-06T19:14:00.000-06:002009-03-06T19:14:00.000-06:00The government is devouring the private sector thr...The government is devouring the private sector through ever increasing taxes. As taxes are raised employers have to lay off their workers which in turn means less tax revenue. Government tries to make this up by raising taxes still higher which means more lay offs, and so it spirals downward. Government is a mindless beast that is eating itself to extinction. This is natural selection at work. Apparently, the situation can't be helped because those who have the wherewithal to produce enter the private sector while those who don't have the wherewithal to produce enter government employment. The takers destroy the producers and the whole house of cards comes down. I hope you folks have a lot of emergency food stored away. It could get real ugly when the final implosion occurs. I wouldn't look for the Obama administration to save the day. Obama says that the profit to earnings ratio (he should have said price to earnings ratio) is beginning to be favorable, so it is a good time to invest in the stock market. Perhaps he would be interested in buying some land in the Okeefenokee Swamp. Everyone has heard of that bone-headed statement by now. In a recent poll, 83% of those polled have no confidence that Geithner can turn the economic situation around. These folks are completely incompetent when it comes to economics. And many people think that they and the rest of the Bolshevik Democrats will save the day. Good f-ing luck on that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-67949450709549914462009-03-06T18:45:00.000-06:002009-03-06T18:45:00.000-06:00Randy, I feel so bad. I saw Bob Horn about two we...Randy, I feel so bad. I saw Bob Horn about two weeks ago and Mark was fine. I hate it when our friends go.<BR/>PlunkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-678531676452764322009-03-06T16:54:00.000-06:002009-03-06T16:54:00.000-06:00Mike,I hate to be the bearer of sad tidings, espec...Mike,<BR/>I hate to be the bearer of sad tidings, especially in such a forum, but as of last weekend, Mark Sallings is no longer with us. The road has claimed another great bluesman. RIP.<BR/>RandyRandy Haspelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15371114789022032381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-54683833740576649762009-03-06T15:51:00.000-06:002009-03-06T15:51:00.000-06:00The biggest problem that this country has is that ...The biggest problem that this country has is that there are now not many Americans living here. Americans have been supplanted by weak willed collectivists who go around whining because no one will pay their bills or take care of them. If you listen carefully, you can hear them crying, 'Obama, come wipe me!' If we get too many like this, there will not be enough non-takers to take care of them. What will they do then?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-15399181128034380512009-03-06T11:26:00.000-06:002009-03-06T11:26:00.000-06:00White House behind the scenes...Obama: Those damne...White House behind the scenes...<BR/>Obama: Those damned freedom-loving <BR/> people just refuse to go<BR/> along with our program.<BR/>Pelosi: Let's pass some more laws <BR/> and regulations to force<BR/> them to conform.<BR/>Obama: Well, it's that or bring out<BR/> the death squads. We can't<BR/> play our hand too soon, <BR/> though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-3758719514780770452009-03-05T17:54:00.000-06:002009-03-05T17:54:00.000-06:00Randy, I can't wait to tell Mark Sallings you said...Randy, I can't wait to tell Mark Sallings you said he was "late." I don't know if he's always on time, but he's still kicking with the 'Famous Unknowns."<BR/>PlunkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-32379640609704907112009-03-05T10:45:00.000-06:002009-03-05T10:45:00.000-06:00Radiants at Louie's on E. Poplar, Sun. nights was ...Radiants at Louie's on E. Poplar, Sun. nights was the best show in town with Duck Dunn.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-90766698459536223972009-03-05T10:25:00.000-06:002009-03-05T10:25:00.000-06:00I remember the old Perception very well. Sid Selve...I remember the old Perception very well. Sid Selvedge played there all the time. And it was a great place to score acidAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-24457633038857270092009-03-05T03:02:00.000-06:002009-03-05T03:02:00.000-06:00Of course it was the singing and founding Radiant...Of course it was the singing and founding Radiant, Dr. Gregg Grinspan, who went to White Station High and who introduced me to Howard Calhoun in the first place. So, Dr. Grinspan is the one who's really responsible for this whole mess. Hey Doc! Why'dja quit? And, love you Jane.<BR/>RandyRandy Haspelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15371114789022032381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-15243855457304568792009-03-04T19:06:00.000-06:002009-03-04T19:06:00.000-06:00Randy, as one of the oldest bartenders still worki...Randy, as one of the oldest bartenders still working boy does this bring back memories. NoRt many people remember the "Perception' before it was bought by Woodson and Saig and became TGI Fridays or the late Bill Shelby who ran 'The Looking Glass" before it became Bombay Bicycle where we first met. I had the pleasure of working all the great Mid Town bars while also teaching from High Cotton with Skip, Huey's, the short lived Eli's at Linden and Cooper, Mrs Kitty's, Trader Dicks,Pocape, G&G's and my craziest gig working with Issac at the original Hard Rock. As Gimmer Nicholson used to say I don't have war flash backs just bad bar night flash backs.It's great to hear your playing again You know you can always play Kudzus but no"CONGAS"<BR/><BR/>SteveStevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08875902563462777344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-88528194792402578092009-03-04T17:00:00.000-06:002009-03-04T17:00:00.000-06:00I'm impressed that you can remember all of wha...I'm impressed that you can remember all of what went on or off back in the day. Health permitting, what's gonna be the name of the new band? Randy & The 714's or is it Randy & The 712's, I can't seem to recall the proper number. Just give me a "Kicker" and I'll be OK.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-16908346677517828692009-03-04T13:52:00.000-06:002009-03-04T13:52:00.000-06:00Why did you leave out Dr. Gregg from the founding ...Why did you leave out Dr. Gregg from the founding of the Board of Directors. I could swear that the first practice for the BOD was at Dr Greggs house. Why I was there I have no idea, but I was.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-48300548606378538202009-03-04T12:04:00.000-06:002009-03-04T12:04:00.000-06:00How about Edwin Hubbard at Friday's every Sunday n...How about Edwin Hubbard at Friday's every Sunday night with Gary Johns on congas/percussion and the great Joe Dukes on drums. Yeah, Overton Square was the unique varied venue of Memphis, but for all of us musicians, The Overton Park Shell was the pinnacle for public performance. In my best memory, the 1971 O. P. Shell concert with Deep Purple/Cactus/Edgewood and the "Haspel Jug Band" as warm-up was a great tribute to the era. I was blessed to back you up on drums for some songs when you stood up and took the mike for some soul standards. What we played, I long ago have forgotten, but we have pictures. I think one is on your site. It's the one of you shirtless and me with a horizontal striped "Beach Boy" t-shirt. Cool times and I miss all the folks who have since left us. But again we have pictures... ...and memories.<BR/>AlanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-33368888979242478182009-03-04T11:14:00.000-06:002009-03-04T11:14:00.000-06:00Congradulations!!! The list of places you named br...Congradulations!!! The list of places you named brought back fond memories . Being your no1 sidekick for so long was and indeed still is a great part of my life. You and Bob helped me go places I would have never dreamed of and will never forget{all the ole'miss gigs,etc].You guys don't get older just better and the music lives thru you. Call me when you need a conga player!!!!! SkeetroAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-34891479144246251102009-03-04T10:42:00.000-06:002009-03-04T10:42:00.000-06:00Memfricans aren't opposed to supporting live music...Memfricans aren't opposed to supporting live music. They are afraid to venture out at night. Can you blame them? Like the African savannah, the predators come out after the sun goes down. I have been scared shitless just about every time I have gone to Beale St. by being cornered by panhandlers and shakedown artists in the parking areas. You need an armed guard to go to and from your car. It seems that these problems didn't exist back in the Overton Square days. What has changed? And staying at home isn't a sure thing any more seeing as how home invasions are on the rise. It may be time to live in gated communities with armed guards, play cds at home for your musical entertainment, and reminisce about the good old days when the streets, malls, and schools were safe. Or, you can head for the hills.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12901178.post-9570055661418239012009-03-04T10:38:00.000-06:002009-03-04T10:38:00.000-06:00Dear Mr. Anon. of 10:00,Thank you so much and you ...Dear Mr. Anon. of 10:00,<BR/>Thank you so much and you are most generous. I often exaggerate my various medical grievances for the sake of humor, but aside from high cholesterol, my overall health is good. It's true I have no insurance, but I hope it will become available soon. Most of my gripes are the result of aging while sitting entirely too long at this keyboard, but I assure you that I am not in failing health. In fact, Melody has threatened me with all manner of harm if I do not start walking this week. But again, you are very kind, and Dr. Gregg is on call for me whenever I need him. Except, of course, for anything that might really make me feel good.<BR/>RandyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com