RADIO HANNIBAL

A Clevelander's Passion For 80s 45 RPM Record Sleeve Artwork

I've decided that the 1980s were the worst decade in my life for music.  It's not so much that the talent wasn't there or that the songwriting was sub-par.  It was the awful production at the time.  The compression in so many recordings of that era make them nearly unlistenable for me.  And what about all those synths and synthesized drums, yuck. 

Still, it was a stylised era for rock and roll.  The 80s looked more like the future than present times.  Local writer Matthew Chojnacki has just released a book focusing on, not the sound of 1980s 45s but, the artwork on those record sleeves.  It's called Put the Needle on the Record: The 1980s at 45 Revolutions Per Minute.

The book highlights 250 45 record sleeves from The Romantics to Duran Duran to ABC.  Paging through the book brings tangible moments in time rushing back to me.  Some of those original sleeves sit in my library, albeit, many not in very good condition. 

Earlier this year I was sifting through a large record library at a house sale, many of which were 45s from the 1980s.  At 25 cents each I bought anything with a picture sleeve.  These were in much better condition than my manhandled collection. 

Anyway, the book will have you itching to search out actual copies of his examples.  It may even have you contemplating an asymmetrical haircut and buying red leather pants. 

You can get a signed copy at one of two book signings this Thanksgiving weekend.  Friday Chojnacki will be at Made In The 216 now located on W.25th in Ohio City.  Saturday he'll be at Visible Voice in Tremont.  Both events run 6 until 8pm.

Keith Richards Autobiography Is A Must Read

I'm just wrapping up Keith Richard's autobiography, Life.  It's a must read for any fan of rock and roll.  Well, I say read but I'm actually listening to the audiobook which features the narration of Johnny Depp and the very animated Brit, Joe Hurley. Luckily my girlfriend bought the book so I can see the great photos as well.

It's been well covered that he slags Mick Jagger quite a bit. In fact there's a supposed rebuttal by Mick which is fascinating in its origin alone, Please Allow Me To Correct a Few Things.

Richards goes into great detail about drugs and playing the guitar.  The narrative style is such a pleasure.  It's as if Keif is talking directly to you.

The one thing he doesn't mention and I'd still like an answer to; why did he drop the "s" from Richards then revive it later in his career?

The book's been out since last fall and been written about and discussed at length online.  Still, whenever I ask any Cleveland music fans if they've read it yet, nearly all of them say no.  Let this serve as my plea.  You gotta read or listen to this book.

Good To Be Home in Cleveland

I arrived home from Paris and retrieved my Sunday morning Plain Dealer.  I was immediately drawn to a front page story on journalist Charles Michener and his novel in progress about my (and his) hometown, Cleveland.  I've read it twice today with more glee and excitement the second go round.  Tempered by the statement that it won't be published until 2010 or 2011. 
Anyone who knows me or reads this blog is aware of my city pride.  Karen Long's story has me imagining, wondering how we can get moving and help to create the reality for this city Michener envisions. 
My sweetheart and I sat on the direct flight from Paris yesterday and watched the promotional piece Continental Airlines plays as the plane approaches Cleveland.  Shamefully, I was embarrassed at the praise lauded on my city to the visitors who sat around me. The two of us looked at each other curiously.  Surely, they will not be fooled, I thought to myself. 
Then I sat there thinking to myself, perhaps I am the fool who has a hard time actually believing what I know in my heart is a great place to visit and live.  Michener's words supported my wrong thinking but hopefully turned me around. 
He even speaks of our (Clevelander's) self-deprecating attitude.  It's a mindset we must all work on breaking. 
I so look forward to the release of this book and even more, I look forward to a truly great Cleveland.
Here's the story by Karen Long from The Plain Dealer Sunday July 6, 2008.

More on The Buzzard

So, I read The Buzzard in about 2 days.  Can't stress enough...if you are a Clevelander, a fan of WMMS, a fan of rock and roll, or a fan of marketing this is a must read.  Or, maybe, you're like me who has a hard time explaining what we had here in Cleveland with WMMS.  Simply hand them this book.  They soon understand.
Here's a piece that talks about the book, has interview clips with Gorman, the program director and author, and lots of clips from WMMS ads. WMMS video story

Also, check out this biker character and his reminiscences  of the station.

The Best Radio Station That Ever Was

Newly released, The Buzzard: Inside The Glory Days Of WMMS And Cleveland Rock Radio, is just as the title says, a tale of the greatest radio station to ever exist as told by it's longtime program director John Gorman. 
I haven't read it yet but plan on devouring it once I get a copy at the private release party next Thursday evening.  A great warm up to the Jens Lekman show discussed yesterday.  I also plan on passing it along as a Christmas gift and birthday gift to my friends who are, like me, approaching the big five oh. 
Here's some inside info.  The book is to be the basis for a film documentary of the station.  I'm involved in it but can't discuss much more at this point.  Stay tuned!