Rant #692: Keeping the Flame Burning

In the mid- to late-1960s, there were three teen idols that ruled the roost, that were the epitome of a level of fan frenzy that many attempted to attain, but really only three did.

Davy Jones, Peter Noone and Mark Lindsay were the three, and with one recently passed, the standard bearers continue to be Lindsay and Noone.

Today, Mark Lindsay, former lead singer of Paul Revere and the Raiders, celebrates his 70th birthday.

And like Jones, Lindsay's stardom was not only on record, but directly tied into television, too.

Lindsay was the star of the Raiders, the lead singer with the pony tail sprouting out under his tri-corner Revolutionary War hat.

Appearing originally as the house band on Dick Clark's afternoon rock and roll show, "Where the Action Is," the Pacific Northwest-based band soon basically took over the show, with Lindsay as its frontman.

They had many, many hits during that period: "KIcks," "Just Like Me," "Steppin' Out," "Ups and Downs," "The Great Airplane Strike," "Hungry," "Good Thing," ... the list goes on and on.

And Lindsay was the focus. He was sort of a Mick Jagger-lite, but that pout and that ponytail turned on female viewers during that period.

They even had one contest where the winner received his queue, also known as his ponytail!

Lindsay and his ever-changing cast of bandmates were regularly featured in Tiger Beat, Flip, and those types of magazines, competing for space with Herman's Hermits' Noone and a little later, with the Monkees, and primarily Davy Jones.

As the 1960s progressed, music changed, but the Raiders continued to have hits as they starred in their own shows under the "Happening" banner. They lasted longer than Herman's Hermits and the Monkees did, and even had one monster one in the 1970s, "Indian Reservation," as Lindsay's own solo career heated up.

He had one real big hit as a solo artist, "Arizona," and he kind of mellowed out as his former teenybopper fans grew up and out of the Raiders fandom clique.

He lasted with the Raiders and as a prominent solo artist until about 1974 or so.

Lindsay has supposedly been on the outs with bandleader Paul Revere for years, so over the past nearly four decades, the Raiders have had their own career as an oldies band, and Lindsay has had his own career as a solo act singing his old Raiders/solo hits.

He puts out a record on occasion, and plays oldies shows around the country.

Yet, he, like Noone and Jones, will always be remembered for their 1960s personas at the top of the teen idol list.

And with the passing of Jones, he and Noone have that "teen idol" mantle to keep going.

Happy birthday, Mark. Keep on going on for many years to come.

Rant #691: Davy's Final Resting Place

A private funeral was held in Florida yesterday for Davy Jones, the Monkees heartthrob who passed away on Feb. 29. Reports are that he was cremated.

It was only for immediate family members. Reports are that the three surviving Monkees--Peter Tork, Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz--would like to hold a memorial concert, or at least attend the public celebrations of Jones' life that are planned for New York and England.

They stayed away from the funeral so as not to cause a media stampede, but there weren't any clear reports that they were actually invited. No slight here, this was just for family members.

Plans are still sketchy on all of these memorials, but Tork said that any continuation of the group "doesn't seem very likely, does it?" But he isn't ruling it out entirely.

"It's not absolutely impossible," Tork told Billboard.com. "The Monkees have gone out as a threesome for most of the past 20-some years. But there are no plans, no discussion. This is way too early to begin to think about that."

Tork added that "certainly if there's some kind of concert in his honor, I think we would all attend if we could arrange it."

Although the surviving threesome will always be known as Monkees, each has carved out a somewhat impressive career away from the band.

Tork currently tours with his band Shoe Suede Blues, a blues-pop band that generally plays smaller venues. He is a cancer survivor, and the oldest Monkee.

Dolenz also tours as a solo act, and once again, he will be on the "Happy Together" tour with the Turtles and other acts this summer. He has also carved out a niche as a director and an actor, and has also been a DJ on WCBS-FM.

Nesmith, the most reclusive of the bunch, has had a successful career as a solo artist, producer, writer, and record company owner. He oversees Videoranch, a site where all facets of his career can be explored.

The three have never toured together since the Monkees' prime period in the mid to late 1960s, and never as a threesome. Nesmith did join the Monkees, including Jones, for a few concerts over the years, but generally swears off such things. He has performed solo a few times during the past year.

Tork and Dolenz have appeared in concert together numerous times over the years, both in the U.S. and overseas.

Will the threesome ever get together again? I kind of agree with Tork, it is pretty senseless without Jones, because even though each one of the foursome brought something else to the Monkees, Jones pretty much WAS the Monkees.

Without Davy, there really is no Monkees.

On a lesser level, it pretty much compares with the situation of John Lennon. With all the ballyhoo in the 1970s of the Beatles reforming for "just" one concert to save humanity, when Lennon passed in 1980, that was the end of the dream.

Without Lennon, there is no Beatles, and without Jones, there is no Monkees.

(And happy birthday to Micky Dolenz today. He hits No. 67 on this day, It must be a bittersweet celebration this year, but whatever it is, happy birthday, George Michael Dolenz!)

Rant #690: Kirk's "Growing Pains"

Once again. people are putting too much emphasis on what an actor says.

Again, I ask, why are actors all of a sudden spokesmen for our civilization?

Kirk Cameron, one-time boy heart throb on ABC's "Growing Pains" sitcom, recently made some comments about gays that many believed were antagonistic to the gay community.

On the Piers Morgan program on CNN, Cameron said that being gay was "detrimental," "unnatural," and "ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization."

When people heard that, they got simply hysterical. Fellow actors criticized him for his view, and seemingly, everybody had an opinion on what Cameron said.

Even his former "Growing Pains" co-stars came out against Cameron, as if anybody really cares what they have to say either.

Heck, Cameron's received more press from this incident than he did during his "Growing Pains" tenure.

Cameron is a born-again Christian who has appeared in faith-based movies and co-founded a California-based evangelical ministry.

No, he isn't a teenybopper anymore.

Once the backlash began, he kind of backpedalled, like any good "politician" would do, stating that "It's my life's mission to love people."

He also said something more important: "I should be able to express moral views on social issues, especially those that have been the underpinning of Western Civilization for 2,000 years, without being slandered, accused of hate speech, and told by those who preach tolerance that I need to either bend my beliefs to their moral standards or be silent when I'm in the public square."

At least on this point, he is right.

This is America, where free speech is guaranteed and protected by the Constitution. He has a right to say what he wants.

If people want to disagree with him, that is fine.

That is what our country is all about.

Whatever you think about what he said, number one, he has a right to say it and believe it, and number two, remember, this isn't coming from a politician or somebody who really carries any weight.

He is an actor, remember? And he will dig his own hole--he's already done it.

Funny, when actors and others come out for gay rights, I don't hear people getting hysterical like this.

When Mel Gibson comes out with his anti-Semitic diatribes, I don't hear so many people rallying around him, ready to burn him at the stake, as I have heard many people want to do with Cameron.

But like Cameron, Gibson can say what he wants in this country.

He is ignorant, Cameron is ignorant, and let's leave it at that.

They are actors, not the creators of public policy. They are performers. Sure, they have a soapbox to stand on because of who they are, but c'mon, who is really going to pay attention to someone like this?

But the bottom line is the following:

Are the PC police patrolling around, looking for dimwitted people like Cameron to make an example of?

You bet they are!

Rant #689: The Perfect Cookie

Usually in this space we celebrate birthdays of people who have come onto the radar, at least for a little bit, and changed our lives in one way or another.

Today, we will celebrate the 100th birthday of a cookie that has probably changed our lives, at least just a little bit, or at least enriched our lives to some degree--and I say this in a politically correct time when anything fattening is instantly labeled as being "no good."

Nabisco's Oreo cookie celebrates its 100th birthday today, and while this pales in comparison to the birthday of a famous person, let's say Gandhi, it is still significant.

The cookie was created in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, with the chocolate cookie on the outside hiding the vanilla cream in the middle. That basic cookie has been with us for the past 100 years, but of course, there have been variations to the basic Oreo.

There have been Oreos with different-flavored middles, like orange and chocolate.

There have been inside-out, topsy-turvy Oreos, with a vanilla cookie and chocolate center.

And in other countries, there are as many variations of Oreos as can possibly be, including Oreos that have a fishy flavor.

But the basic Oreo stands as, in my mind, the perfect cookie.

Who hasn't sat down with a glass of milk and chomped down on a couple of Oreos?

I am sure most of us have.

Just as an aside, the Hydrox cookie predated the Oreo cookie by a good four years, but Hydrox never reached the heights of the Oreo cookie. Some claim that the Oreo was a knockoff of the Hydrox cookie, but Hydrox always had the reputation of being a knockoff of an Oreo.

But Hydrox simply wasn't as good a cookie as the Oreo was. It didn't have the sweetness of an Oreo, and in comparison, was pretty bland.

Back to the Oreo ...

Oreos were never meant to be diet foods, although there are lower-calorie Oreos on the market.

There are also larger Oreos, for those who just can't get enough of the cookie.

As I said, it is the perfect cookie, whether large or small. It offers just enough sweetness to get you by during the day, and it is the cookie that you can also relax to.

Is there anything more relaxing than taking a cookie break with an Oreo?

I went through a period where I would try to separate the cookie's halves. I would twist the thing and try not to break it.

I don't bother doing that anymore--why should I? The cookie tastes better not in pieces, but as one.

Oreos have taken us through 100 years of ups and downs, and it could be counted on to satisfy us when we were down, and when we were up.

It has even taken on social connotations. I am not going to get into what it means when you call someone an Oreo, but it isn't a very nice appellation to give to someone.

But as a cookie, the Oreo is grand.

Is there anything better than an Oreo?

Probably not.

Happy 100th birthday to the Oreo. It is incredible how a simple idea led to so much joy.

(And a "Shout Out" to one of the greatest comedians ever, Lou Costello, who would have been 106 today! "You're a bad boy," even on your birthday, Lou.)

Rant #688: A Slow Week?

After last week's tumult caused by the death of Davy Jones, I need a week to completely relax, at least here on this blog.

Maybe this week is it.

I don't really think there is that much going on to report on this week.

I really don't care to report on Rush Limbaugh's mouth, which one again, got in the way of his thoughts when he spoke out about birth control.

The Republican Presidential race doesn't interest me that much, because for the life of me, God help us whomever wins their nomination. They are all losers.

I don't care that Lindsay Lohan was on "Saturday Night Live." According to reports--since I did not watch the show--she lived up to any low expectations anyone had of her.

I know the Knicks lost yesterday, and that Jeremy Lin was totally outplayed by Rajon Rondo. I sat through that game at home, watching it on TV. That Paul Pierce three-pointer that sent the game into overtime was the real dagger that killed the Knicks in that game.

All these things are trumped by one yearly rite that is taking place now in Florida.

Spring training has started, and the games have begun.

When spring training starts, you know that the nicer weather is right around the corner.

Here in the East, we haven't had much of a winter, thank goodness. It has been unseasonably warm, with very little snow, and that's really good.

Other places, well, they've gotten hit very hard thus far this year, and I feel for them, I really do.

But happily, it isn't in my neck of the woods.

So right now, things are pretty copacetic.

And maybe it will be this way this week.

But I thought last week was going to be that way, and then Jones passed away, very unexpectedly.

This past weekend, retro channels like Me TV and Antenna TV held tributes, and the Bio channel aired some shows about the Monkees and Davy Jones.

But they stopped just short of making it overkill, which was a good thing.

Hopefully, we won't have such news this week.

I need to relax.

Rant #687: The Final Word on Davy

This will probably be my final post on Davy Jones for at least a while, but to complete the story, I felt I had to provide you with some information.

An autopsy confirmed that Davy Jones died of a heart attack.

And what makes this information even more stunning is that he recently went for a physical, and was told that he was in sound health.

The medical examiner's office in Martin County, Fla., says authorities completed their examination Thursday morning, a day after Davy was rushed to the hospital. Toxicology tests could take another six or eight weeks, but there is no sign anything else is to blame for the 66-year-old enterainer's death.

A spokesman for the Jones family says funeral arrangements have not yet been made, but one of Jones' daughters has told media outlets that memorials are being planned, presumably held in the U.S. and in his native England.

I still feel so bad about his death, but all that I am reading on the Internet is glowing praise for the entertainer.

So many people really loved this guy.

Unfortunately, all the accolades come out after he is gone.

I presume that Jones knew that people really loved him, but I guess he figured that it was nothing more than fan adulation.

But in recent days, an outpouring of emotion has emerged about him that I don't remember happening since Michael Jackson died.

But Jackson was a certifiable weirdo, more in the news for his indiscretions that anything else.

Jones was rarely in the news. Yes, he had his demons--alcohol being one--but he seemed to have kicked his troubles, and what's more, his troubles never seemed to stop him like it did others.

Jones--and his other Monkees cohorts--seemed to be more grounded than other people who reach the fame that few have attained. I think that is because their fame was so fleeting, that they had to be able to view it differently, than say someone who has everlasting fame, constant fame, fame that won't go away.

Along with accolades from people like myself, so many celebrities chimed in on their adulation for this guy that I have to say that I was really amazed--and pleased.

"Davy Jones of the Monkees is dead," wrote Al Roker of the "Today" show. "He was 66 years old. A little bit of my youth just died."

Said Neil Diamond, who wrote "I'm a Believer": "I'm sad to hear about Davy Jones. The Monkees were such a sensation that it was a thrill for me to have them record some of my early songs."

"Eternal rest for Davy Jones who leaves a great legacy of music, fun and all the colors of the rainbow," wrote Nancy Sinatra.

"Sad news--RIP Davy Jones. My wife's childhood crush...," said Ralph Macchio, who knew a little about being a teen idol from his "Karate Kid" days, and probably knew how fleeting such fame could be.

Alyssa Milano and Will Smith tweeted rest in peace, with Smith adding, "Retweet for respect."

"Sad to hear of the passing of Davy Jones! Met him just last year, was very kind to me. Monkees should have been in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame years ago," said Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins. Julian Lennon said, "RIP Davy… You did some great work! Condolences to The Jones Family."

Wil Wheaton expressed some shock -- "Oh my god Davy Jones died at 66. That's way too young."

Comic Gilbert Gottfried noted, "True...David Bowie's real name is David Jones. That's why he had to change it to Bowie. R.I.P. Davy Jones."

But back to Davy.

Davy WAS the Monkees, whether he wanted to be or not, and I think he knew it.

Sure, Micky Dolenz was the jokester, the lead singer ... Peter was the quiet, kind of goofy musician ... and Mike was the studious, quiet musician.

They all played their roles to the hilt whenever the Monkees name was used in their presence.

But Davy was the guy, the heartthrob, the focus of the band, and I think he knew it, and probably the other guys knew it too.

The Monkees are more revered today than they ever were during their heyday. The connection between television and music is closer today than it ever was, and while the Monkees didn't start that ball rolling, they certainly cemented it as the way it was going to be from that time on.

I am personally going to miss Davy, miss the possibility of a real Monkees reunion--with Mike--and miss Davy coming around again with and without his bandmates.

I think the thing with the Monkees is that up until Feb. 29, there was always a possibility that the four of them would iron out their differences and get back together on stage again.

Since John Lennon died, there was absolutely no possibility that the Beatles could ever get back together.

But at least we had the Monkees to dream about.

Now, we have neither, and that's the real shame of this whole thing.

Rant #686: More On Davy

I was very happy to see that the TV news outlets gave Davy Jones' untimely passing full coverage yesterday and today.

This news was spread across news tickers on all the stations far and wide, and stories on his passing were on both the local news and network newscasts.

CNN's Piers Morgan interviewed Micky Dolenz last night, and the story got the maximum coverage that it should have gotten.

For baby boomers, we all aged a little yesterday.

Reportedly, Jones told a reporter recently that he had been to a doctor, and got a clean bill of health. In fact, the doctor said that he had the heart "of a 25-year old," and that he was in great shape at 66 years of age.

That number 66 is pretty eerie too. Not only was it Jones' age when he died, but 1966 was the year the Monkees debuted.

Very strange indeed.

Here are a couple of links to some interesting sound and video files that I've previously posted elsewhere. Some music, some chat, but all-Monkees.

And Davy was, ultimately the penultimate Monkee, probably the greatest pure teen idol of all time.

I think you will enjoy these files as much as I did posting them.

Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz -Tomorrow Show, 9-1-77.mp3
Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz -Tomorrow Show, 9-1-77 (2).mp3

001. Dream World.mp3

001. Monkees - Valleri.mp3

003. We Were Made For Each Other.mp3

005. Daydream Believer_2.mp3

008. The Poster.mp3

010. Monkees - It's Nice To Be With You.mp3