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First live show for the new year and of course it's a tribute. Duh! Michael "The Professor" Shannon, co-host of Sex Cels (10-midnight Monday's on RV) passed away last month after a long bout with melanoma. I cannot say enough great things about The Professor. My regular interactions with him came during our weekly show transitions. Michael would start Sex Cels each week with a three-song opening theme. He would have me guess the theme and try to stump me. More often than not I would guess correctly. I am a walking musical encyclopedia after all. ;)~ He was a devout atheist and would proudly wear that on his sleeve. He was also a serious Star Wars fanatic. I still liked him though. I can't imagine being in the studio without his smiling face to greet me before taking over the board. Night night, Michael.
Another punch in the gut came a few weeks back when I heard about the passing of another friend, musical stalwart and jack of all musical trades, Ralph Carney. Ralph passed away following a fall down his stairs in his home in Portland, Oregon. He lived in the Bernal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco for many years, where he was known lovingly as the Mayor of Bernal. Ralph was often found sitting in with local bands throughout the week at clubs like Amnesia or Club Deluxe. He had recorded sessions possibly numbering in the thousands with bands such as the B52s, Elvis Costello, Les Claypool, Stan Ridgeway, and of course Tom Waits, who he spent about 15 years with. Ralph was such a cornball. His personality really shone through his music. Listening to him it made sense that his music was just an extension of his personality. He was like a walking cartoon character; very rubbery. The final twenty minutes of my show is a tribute to Ralph. Another great has left the building. Ralph-a-Palooza will be held on Thursday February 1st, 8PM-2AM, at SF Eagle. Performers include Robin Coomer, Gaucho, The Extra Action Marching Band, The Cottontails, Allison Lovejoy, Griddle, and many more special surprises (no Tom Waits will probably not be one of those surprises).
I interviewed Ralph on my show August of 2009. Here's a link to the blog post.
The first hour features new music from King Gizzard as well as OCS (formerly Thee Oh Sees). Hour two has a lot of tasty live treats from my vault. The playlist follows.
Join my this Sunday afternoon starting at 4PM at Thee Parkside in SF for a live memorial to International Rock Poster artist Ron Donovan. There will be rock posters made in his honor by acclaimed artists including Chris Shaw (poster below on the left), and Ron's former partner Chuck Sperry. We're going to send Ron out the only way he would allow: drunk and very very late to the party.
Enjoy.
jh
Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
http://radiovalencia.fm
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Why (Is the King of Love Dead?): Nina Simone
A Night out With Jay: Epsilons
Hey Mr. DJ: Bobby Moore
Satan's Stomp: The Flesh Eaters
The Passenger: Iggy Pop
The Book: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Fist City: Loretta Lynn
Marijuana: Reverend Horton Heat
Convenient: Sun Kil Moon
Master Pretender: First Aid Kit
Snortin' Whiskey: Honky
Red Hot: Jurassic 5
Memory of a Cut off Head: OCS
Crossroads: Cream (1968-10-20 San Diego)
Pinhead: Ramones (1977-11-14 Utica, NY)
Don't Let It Bring You Down: Neil Young 1971-02-23 BBC)
Police and Thieves: The Clash (1978-12-28 Lyceum Theater, London, UK)
Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad: Grateful Dead (1972-08-22 Berkeley Community Theater)
Overture/It's A Boy: The Who
It's Only A Bargain If You Want It: Des Ark
Pink Panther Theme: Oranj Symphonette
Blow Big Ralph: Ralph Carney's Serious Jass Project
Bojack Horseman Theme: Ralph and Pat Carney
Digital Witness: St. Vincent
Way Down In The Hole: Tom Waits
Love How In Love With Love You Are: Adam Mankintosh ft. Storm Large
My buddy and balloonatic, Addi Somekh shot this video with Ralph a few years back. Addi is playing a balloon bass and Ralph is playing a slide clarinet. This is too much fun not to share.
