WHO ARE YOU?
I was shocked when I checked last week's issue of PCR and saw Nolan's "flash" that John Entwistle had died. Nicknamed "the Ox" because of his stoic stage presence (I mean, he made Rolling Stone bassist Bill Wyman look positively manic, and I don't think I saw Wyman move more then three feet in any direction in the 4 times I saw him on stage!). As Nolan and Matt have already covered his career, I thought I'd comment on the decision made by Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey to continue the tour. It's not the first time that a major band has lost a major talent. In fact, it was almost 25 years ago that the Who lost drummer Keith Moon. Now, when I saw them years later with Kenny Jones playing the skins, was I seeing the Who? Bill Wyman left the Stones a decade ago, yet the band is touring this year. Is it still Led Zeppelin with Jason Bonham playing drums instead of his dad? Many bands are identified by one or two key members. Stones: Mick and Keith. Zeppelin: Robert and Jimmy. the Who: Pete and Roger. But in my mind, all of the boys in the band are key. So, while I've seen the Who, I never saw THE WHO. Hell, I guess I've never really seen THE STONES since I first saw them more then a decade after Brian Jones died. Hell, I didn't even see them with Mick Taylor. That's why all of those Beatles reunions with Julian Lennon sitting in for John were funny. Because without John Lennon, IT AIN'T THE BEATLES! But, as a fan of the music, I would have been first in line for tickets. And the fans are what are important say Townsend and Daltrey. So, this past Monday in Los Angeles, the band took the stage with bassist Pino Palladino, who had played on several of Townsends' solo albums, filling in. Before kicking off the 17-song, 2 1/2 hour set, Townsend told the crowd, "We're not pretending nothing happened. It's difficult. Tonight we play for John Entwistle. He's the true spirit of rock 'n' roll. He lives on in the music we play." While researching this story, I learned that Total Guitar magazine had named Entwistle the greatest bassist of the millennium. An incredible achievement indeed considering he beat out Paul McCartney, Bill Wyman and John Paul Jones among others. Rest in peace, Ox.
TRAILER NOTES
With the summer movie season in full swing, it is time for the studios to release previews for the next round of hopeful blockbusters. I have commented on several of them already this year. Here are a few new ones that you should see soon:
T3: Rise of the Machines. Not much to go on here. A few silver drops slowly form the new logo, accompanied by the music from "T2." Good audience buzz, though.
Star Trek: Nemesis. In what is being advertised as "A Generation's Final Adventure," this looks to be the darkest of the series. Nothing in the trailer hints at the supposed marriage of Ryker and Troi, though there is a quick romp in the hay shot! I have yet to be disappointed by a "Generations" film, and this one looks like it will continue the string.
The Two Towers. Pretty much an extension of the piece that ran at the end of "Fellowship of the Rings," this installment looks to be packed with action. Looks to be huge!
(And I might add all three of these trailers are playing in front Of "Men In Black 2" where I saw it!---Nolan)
MAXIM'S 50 WORSE FILMS
Hey, I like "Staying Alive!"
Well, that's it for this week. Have a safe and happy fourth! Cya!
"Mike's Rant" is ©2002 by Michael A. Smith. Webpage design and all graphics herein are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2002 by Nolan B. Canova.
