Noel Redding, who laid down the now legendary basslines for Jimi Hendrix, has died at age 57.
When the "Experience" first formed, Redding was a guitar player by trade, but as we all know, Jimi was a pretty good ax-man in his own right. Not to mention they needed a bassist. Teaming with Jimi and drummer Mitch Mitchell in '66, this power trio was responsible for all the classics we now enjoy that sprung from the classic triage of albums that ended when the group disbanded one year before Hendrix sad and tragic death.
Years ago, Redding claimed he was duped by the music business into selling his royalty rights for a one time fee of 100,000 dollars to pay mounting bills. According to him, he did so only after being told by the record label they had no plans to reissue any Hendrix material. Then, of course, came the CD and DVD age. Nice that those record company's can keep a promise! NOT!!! It would be nice if they at least gave him something, but alas, that would require fairness, and good judgement, something I feel is desperately lacking in the industry today, sans my favorite artists, of course. Loving the Experience as I do, Redding falls into that category.
Speaking to Billboard magazine last year, Redding joked, "I should have been a plumber. That's a joke. But the thing is, plumbers get paid, But there again, I'm still playing, thank God. That's the main thing." What a positive statement. Obviously p.o.'d about it, but not letting it ruin his life. Just happy to be playing. I think only guitarists could understand.
Later in his career, Redding abandoned the bass and went back to his first love, the ol' 6 string, when he joined up with Fat Mattress, Road and the Noel Redding Band.
The entire "Experience", including Noel and Mitch, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Thankfully both of them were around to receive the honor. And I'm sure Noel has already filled Jimi in by this point.
MASTERS OF HORROR MAGAZINE
You read that right, monster fans. As if there isnt enough classic monster lore for you to fill your craniums with, I now present my new E-Zine, which is online now!
It can be accessed by going to my Masters of Horror site and clicking on the E-Zine in the top right of the screen. After months of delibertion and consternation, the final edition is up, with an excellent article by now famous PCR creator Nolan B Canova on the life and career highlights of Bela Lugosi. In truth, when I asked Nolan to write up something for my site, I had no idea it would be so extensive and impressive. Well worth the read, if I do say so myself.
Also in this edition, is an expounded-upon article about the return of FM, as well as a recurring tag line SURFING THE MONSTER WEB, where each issue I'll cover a different monster web site you may not know about yet!
Best of all...it's free! And costs you nothing other than time. If there is anything you would like discussed in the mag, or suggestions of articles, or departments, you'd like to see, email me at my link below, or email horrorheadfred@netscape.net, which is my official MOH email sidekick. Fred will be more than happy to relay the message.
HEY, HEY, WE'RE THE BUCCANEERS
Okay, okay! I know it's early, but the NFL power rankings are out and sitting atop the list, O' Fans of Pewter Power, is our mighty Bucco's!! For those not in the know, the power rankings show, in order, the teams that are projected to have the best chance to win it all. GO BUCS!!!
Till next time, take care and God bless,
Matthew
