Letters to the Editor
Nolan's Newsstand
News and views to give me fits!
Commentary
My View
Vol. 1, No. 4    April 9,10--16, 2000
   Mike's Rant
Mike Smith, our new columnist, has some early reactions this week, spurred on by his attending a Bruce Springsteen concert! Read his comprehensive concert review (among other things) that just arrived (4-10-00) below:  
New kid on the letters page! Ladies and gentle- men, Mr. Steve Beasley (4-14-00)
     The Passing of Larry Linville....
  I was sorry to hear about the death of Larry Linville.
  Although many people hated his character (Maj. Burns),he was an excellent actor and had performed in a variety of roles, including a one-season stint on "Dragnet", where he played an inept rookie, beat cop.

  I, too, hope he was appreciated for his general body of work. He had a talent for acting as an annoying character, a dubious distinction! ---Nolan.
Hello All.

Shall I begin...............................
"I have seen the future of Rock and Roll and it's name is Bruce Springsteen."
                                                                                Jon Landau

With this one sentence in a review of an early concert, music journalist Jon Landau hit the proverbial nail on the head.  Landau put his money where his mouth is by becoming Springsteen's producer.  Of course, the idiots at Columbia obviously didn't pay attention, because on the first pressings of the "Born To Run" album, they spelled his name "John."  To correct the problem, they sent out stickers with his name spelled properly.  It wasn't until the second pressing of the album that they spelled it right.  So check your albums fans.............you could have a collectable.

I bring up the above because I have just returned from the 3 hours-plus event that is Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band!  The show is played almost as a religious revival, with Bruce in control in the pulpit.  The band took the stage one by one, with the loudest applause reserved for Steven Van Zandt and the Big Man, Clarence Clemmons.  Last was Springsteen, who was showered with a chorus of "Bruuuuuuuce."  Of course, I had one idiot behind me ask her companion, "Why are they Booing him?"  I kept expecting her to ask "Do you think he'll do 'Jessie's Girl?'"  I have always agreed with the notion that the Rolling Stones are the worlds greatest rock and roll band, but I must say that the assortment of talent that forms the E Street Band are a real close 2nd!  One note:  Bruce has turned his former background singer and now wife Patti Scalfa into another Linda McCartney.  She has gone from being in the background to frontlining next to Little Steven with an acoustic guitar.  Not a complaint, just an observation.  If Bruce is heading your way, I urge you to see him.  This is the 4th time I've seen him (and the third since he became HUGE after "Born in the USA" was released) and he has never disappointed!  Now for the news:

Hey Matt:  I can't believe you rushed out to get "Episode One." (That's what I'm talking about!---N) You know, I read that only one copy of "Jaws the Revenge" had ever been sold, and I bet I know who bought it!!  I do agree with you on "Temple of Doom."  I remember the late, great Tom Bowles pointing out that he didn't like it because Indy cursed on the rope bridge, and he didn't think Indy should curse.  At least I think that's what he said..............as he was talking it sounded like a train was going by! (LOL!---N)  I just thought it was too muddled.  And Kate Capshaw........don't get me started.  If Spielberg wanted to marry a bad blonde actress he should have held out for Anna Nicole Smith!  I do indeed remember the Orange Groves............amazing what you can see in the dark with a pair of headlights.  And a nice pair of headlights they were!  I saw Elton John a few months ago here, and I agree, he was great!  I have been dragging Phillip (my son for those of you not familiar with me) to concerts for the past few years (Stones, Elton John, Billy Joel, etc) to let him see first hand the musical heroes of my generation...............and hopefully steer him away from a lot of the shit that passes for music these days.  I also like to close my eyes and wonder what it would be like for the HATS to play before 20,000 people! (Steer Phillip away from that shit, eh?---N)

KEVIN SMITH'S SUPERMAN (you told me to mention it):  I too think that this subject in the capable hands of major fanboy Kevin Smith would be great.  I have a copy of Kevin's script that he submitted and it is great!  I had the opportunity to spend some time with Kevin last October right after I saw "Dogma." (Huh? Did you all go out for pizza too?---N)  I suggested to him that I thought Ben Afleck would make a good Superman.  There is a scene in "Dogma" where Afleck floats down to earth as an Angel, and as I watched it the thought hit me that Afleck could pull it off.  Just a suggestion. (Actually, I agree. Nick Cage would've been better as a villian.---N)

BEATLES TO TOUR?:  For the past few years, the Fab Three (Paul, George and Ringo) have been putting together the quintessential autobiography of the Beatles.  It is due to be published this year and will tell everything you've ever wanted to know from their viewpoint!  Word is that the lads are seriously considering doing a "mini-tour" to not only promote the book, but give them something to write a second book about.  If you don't include the rooftop concert featured in the film "Let It Be,"  the Beatles have not played before a live audience since their last concert at Candlestick Park in 1966.  I have seen McCartney three times and Ringo (with his all-star band) twice, and the chill that goes through me when they go into a Beatle number would become a blizzard if the three of them "get back."  No word if they will invite Julian or Sean Lennon to join them, ala Led Zeppelin with Jason Bonham.  As one of the three people in the world who owns Julian Lennon's first album, vocally he could hold his own.  I know Nolan will have lots of thoughts on this.  He was the first person I called when John Lennon was killed. (Aww, I didn't remember that!--N)  The HATS repertoire consisted of many Beatle classics, so I know he will have many ideas. (Idea # 1: call Pete Best and have him sit in.  I'm still riled nobody counts him as a "survivng Beatle."  How hard could it be to learn "Get Back"?---N)

PANIC BAR REBELLION:  Not a film, but an incredible simulation.  All I can say is that the statute of limitations has run out!  (I STILL DON'T GET IT!---N)

Well, that's all for now.  I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I do writing it.  Maybe Nolan can put an email link so you can send me some feedback.  Or maybe he won't!  ----Mike.

  Yer takin' a big chance thair pardner!  Whoopin' up a fuss and invitin' email! Okay, you're on. Anybody wishing to correspond with Mike, click here.  Never let it be said I kept Mike from his adoring public.
  Now for the few people out there who've never heard of "The Hats," I won't keep you in suspense:  a late ' 70s rock group ensemble (of sorts) consisting of Mike, Matt, myself, and a few other friends who'd probably rather not be mentioned!  We had fun, tho. For a more complete accounting, write to Mike at the above hyper-link, or wait until I'm done with my history of "Blade"--the successor to "The Hats"--coming to a homepage near you.---Nolan.  
    Matt's Rail The madman from Massachusetts speaks (4-15-00)
I must begin this with due respect to Larry Linville.

Like many others (a vast majority), I spent every Monday evening watching M*A*S*H, enjoying the antics of Hawkeye and Trapper as they would "put it to" their arch nemesis, Major Frank Burns, brilliantly played by the late Larry Linville.

There are many times the word "brilliantly" is over-used in general respect to someone who has passed on that spent their careers in the entertainment industry, but it is the one word that best describes what this guy did for all of us as we watched and laughed.

Let me say that I did not "dislike" Mjr.Burns....I hated him. What a snivelling, yellow, cowardly, brown-nosing, ass-kissing, scheming, contemptable, lying, self-absorbed, obsessive, jerk!  What a compliment to this guy's ability. I truly believed that Larry Linville was exactly how he was on MASH.  HOW SUPRISED WAS I, when I saw him on Johnny Carson, and learned that he was a loving father and husband and seemed like a guy who you would be thankful to call a freind, someone who backed many charities and causes and longed for a better humanity, and did so before it became
fashionable.

AMAZING.

Unfortunately, he pulled off this role so well, that he was type-cast as that character and we were pretty much cheated on what else he could have shown and done....but fortunately, what we have is a treasure-trove of laughs which will fill generations to come, as long as there are televisions and electricity.

God bless you, Mr. Linville, the world has lost a good one.

FAB FOUR MINUS ONE REUNION:

My homeboy Mike made mention of this the same day I heard it on the radio. Now, this must be taken with a grain of salt, I'm sure, but from what I heard Paul, George, and Ringo REALLY had a wonderful time together and evidently the conversation came up a few times about touring.  Where that goes to, who knows with these guys. Remember, they refused millions and great causes to NOT play, and yet if George's limo driver hadn't gotten lost in New York City, we would have had our reunion with John included on Saturday Nite Live many years ago. As most people know, that almost happened as a result of the skit with Chevy Chase, who I believe offered them 302 dollars and 27 cents, or something stupid like that. (Not exactly; see below---N)        I'm not sure of the amount, but that's inconsequential.  Maybe these guys are starting to realize they won't have many oppurtunities left as they approach...gulp!..60.

I'm feeling older every day....man, does it suck.

In closing, I must refer to my last column where I expounded on the youth of today.  I was NOT saying that abortion is the reason kids don't respect themselves and life....I WAS saying that the lack of self-preservation that our society is teaching children from the age of 1 cannot help but mold incorrectly those children who do not have parents willing to teach them right and wrong. Possibly, I did not convey this accurately. I will touch on this more next time, as it's something that really bugs me...and possibly many of you. (By all means, vent!--N)

Later days,
Matthew

The Saturday Night Live skit in question was actually performed by producer Lorne Michaels, who, looking directly into the cameras as if addressing the Beatles directly, stated he was "authorized by NBC" to offer the Beatles $3000 if they'd reunite on the show.
The high point: "I'm holding a check for three-thousand dollars to be divided among you however you see fit;  if you want to pay Ringo less,......."
Pandemonium-level laughter from the audience at this point and history was made as John and Paul (who rumor had it were watching the skit live!) actually considered going down there. I didn't remember the part about George's limo driver, but it has a familiar ring to it. Paul verifies the first part, anyway. ---Nolan.
"Mike's Rant" column is © 2000 by Michael A. Smith.
"Matt's  Rail"  column is © 2000 by Matt Drinnenberg.


Write to:

 

page created with Easy Designer