Back in my younger days, I spent a lot of time and cassettes taping segments of radio shows that I thought I might want to listen to again. This is back in the pre-internet world and, basically, if you missed the show when it ran, you probably would not hear it again. After I started working as a small town radio dj, I had access to a lot of syndicated radio programs and I taped quite a few interesting shows.
I recently began transferring the shows from cassette to my computer and here is one of my favorites. It is an interview with Dr. John on Dan Akroyd’s House Of Blues Radio Hour. It is only thirty minutes but it is well worth listening to. It is from around 1998, about the time Blues Brothers 2000 was hitting movie theatres. Sorry for the subpar audio, but the cassette had been lying in a cardboard box for 19 years or so. Listen to the show HERE
Last year I wrote about my search for information on the mysterious drummer/composer Gary "Spider" Webb. He was a musician on the L.A music scene back in the fifties and sixties who put out one of my all time favorite records, "The Cave Pt. 1&2" . Not much is known about this guy and I have been searching for more information on him for the past year or so. (If you want to check out "The Mystery Of Gary "Spider" Webb, Part 1"--go HERE.)
I recently received an e-mail from Jeppe Green (who describes himself as a major CCR nerd from Denmark) who filled me in on a Spider Webb-Creedence Clearwater Revival Connection. Apparently back in 1959 or 1960, Tom Fogerty ( John's brother and future CCR member) spent some time in L.A with a band called, Spider Webb & The Insects. The band also included Jeremy Levine later of The Seeds.
The band did release one single (Maggie/Big Noise From Winnetka) on Lugar Records. It is not known how long Tom Fogerty was in the band or if he played on the record. It appears that the 45 is pretty rare and I have not been able to track down a copy and there is nothing on YouTube. Still, it is great to know their is another Spider Webb recording out there somewhere and perhaps we can learn more about him through his connection to Tom Fogerty.
Thanks to Jeppe Green for contacting me and if anyone else has any information on either Gary "Spider"Webb or The Insects you can e-mail me at, rnrcasey@gmail.com.
Remember as a kid watching The Flintstones and wishing that Fred and Barney would form a rock n roll band? Sadly, that never happened (Although, Fred did have a brief solo career). Well dreams really do come true boys and girls, as we present to you, The Neanderthals.
Okay, so it's not Fred and Barney and it's not animated, it's actually better. The Neanderthals play a mix of garage rock, surf, frat rock and rockabilly music doing both originals and covers. They dress as caveman and wear lone ranger masks to hide their true identities.
They are lead by Los Straitjackets guitarist Eddie Angel and are not just a novelty act, they are an incredible band and write great songs like, "Werewolves From Outer Space" and "I Go Ape". The Neanderthals are well worth checking out if they ever come to your town. Probably the most fun band on earth.
Here is my latest podcast, Casey's Really Scratchy Record Party Volume 2. Yes, it is an vinyl edition of vintage pop and rock. Take a listen HERE
Playlist
Reconsider Baby. Lowell Fulson
Ticket To Ride. Beatles
Love, Love, Love. Brownsville Station
Don't U Lie To Me. Chuck Berry
Time Is Right. Booker T. & The Mgs
Mr. Pitiful. Otis Redding
Slippin' & Slidin'. Buddy Holly
Dancing In The Streets. Mamas & Papas
Rinky Dink. Paul Revere & The Raiders
Hanky Panky. Tommy James
