NIMMERVOLL'S NOTES - SEPTEMBER

Posted by Allans Billy Hyde , Friday, September 3, 2010 11:12 AM

Ed Nimmervoll is a legendary Australian rock music journalist, author and historian. He worked on rock magazines Go-Set (1966-1974) and Juke (1975-1992) both as a journalist and as an editor. Since 2000, Nimmervoll has been editor of HowlSpace, a website detailing Australian rock music history, providing artist profiles, news and video interviews.

DID YOU KNOW?
The Living End’s Chris Cheney’s trademark guitar is a Gretsch White Falcon and he uses mainly distortion and modulation effects.

WHAT'S NEW
You Am I is leaving EMI after two albums, the band’s self-titled ninth studio album will be released in October through indie label Sydney indie Other Tongues and distributed by MGM. No-one who has watched You Am I’s career will be surprised. Taking control of their recording is the next logical step, with the band already having assumed responsibility for almost everything else, shedding management, and putting production of their music in the hands of Greg Wales, who mixes the band’s live performances after being an occasional on stage member.

MILESTONE
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart had returned to Vienna from a trip to Prague in September 1791, completed the score of ‘The Magic Flute’, conducted its premiere, visited Baden in Austria - where his wife was taking the waters, and started writing the Requiem. He was evidently active and in good health. Then on November 22, two days after his last public performance, he fell ill. He may have been poisoned. He died on December 5.

MISSED HITS
Genesis turned down the chance to record Phil Collins’ solo hit ‘In The Air Tonight’ when the group was recording new material for 1980's Duke album. Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks didn’t like the track enough to include it.

IT AIN’T NECESSARILY SO
Richie Valez "La Bamba" became the biggest Spanish-language rock-and-roll hit in history, even though the young man who recorded it did not himself speak Spanish.

QUOTE UNQUOTE
In 2003 Eminem said of Britney Spears and her music, "I think it's corny as hell, but whatever. I can't knock her for doing her thing. She sucks and she can't sing."

20% THANKS
Now managed by their children - Jerry Lee Lewis (daughter Phoebe), Tony Bennett (son Danny) and Tom Jones (son Mark). Is it coincidence that all three have strong contemporary careers?

WANT ADS
In May 1962, 20-year-old Brian Jones placed an ad in England's Jazz News, seeking musicians for a new blues band he was putting together. The first person to respond to his ad was Scotsman named Ian Stewart who played boogie-woogie piano. Other musicians responded to the ad, but Jones was picky. Anyone who didn't see eye-to-eye with his vision for the band was soon ejected. He chased a singer he’d seen, Mick Jagger.

SEPTEMBER MILESTONE
Thirty years ago we were listening to ‘Uncovered’, a milestone album for John Farnham. He was no longer Johnny and the album was produced by Little River Band’s Graham Goble. Graham was so impressed with John’s voice during the making of the album he orchestrated Farnham replacing Glenn Shorrock as LRB’s singer. His next solo album would have to wait.

THIS MONTH IN AUSTRALIAN MUSIC
In 1959 Gibb family arrived in Brisbane by ship from England. Back in Manchester the family had been advised by police to emigrate for a new start. Robin was a firebug and headed for detention if the family didn’t act. They moved to Australia and the boys became The Bee Gees.