By Ian Liberman
WAR OF THE WORLDS
The rhetoric of countries, each demonstrating their superiority, can sometimes lead to significant military interactions where many lives can be lost. However, there is hope on the horizon if two warring rock artists (who have been feuding for years) have suddenly decided to use diplomacy to mend their musical relationship. Maybe we can learn a lesson from Trent Reznor and Marilyn Manson.
Once musical companions, the duo had a major confrontation which damaged their friendship for years. Manson reached out to Reznor after watching HBO’s The Defiant Ones, who responded with a mutual interest to join together to work on a future project.
Manson’s latest album, Heaven is Upside Down, takes him into diverse, twisted and eclectic areas of poetic rock imagery.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF CHESTER BENNINGTON
The surviving members of Linkin Park have organized an evening of remembrance, and a musical tribute to their late frontman, Chester Bennington. The event is taking place on October 27, 2017 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. “Celebrate Life” is the title of this solemn and somber occasion. A highlight of the event is going to be the video presentation of their song “One More Light.” Bennington’s fans have found solace in the lyrics and the spiritual melody of the song, which was written by Bennington just before his death. Major acts that will be participating in “Celebrate Life” include: Blink-182, frontmen of Korn and Bring Me The Horizon, Machine Gun Kelly, and System Of A Down.
“CREEM” OF THE CROP – JEFFREY MORGAN
This month’s interview focuses on Jeffrey Morgan, a rock author, rock photographer, and Canadian rock editor of one of the most popular rock magazines ever, Creem. I remember reading every issue of Creem that was published, and admiring how scholarly and entertaining Jeffrey Morgan`s articles were (until the magazine closed shop in 2008).
In Canada, Morgan created the legendary music magazine, Cheap Thrills. Having grown up in Toronto, I am familiar with many of his accomplishments. Morgan is known as the author of Alice Cooper’s “Alcohol and Razor Blades, Poison, and Needles: The Glorious Wretched Excess of Alice Cooper, All-American”(1992), and also for being the author of Iggy Pop and the Stooges’ “Stooges, Yes.”(2008).
As a roving photographer at rock concerts, Morgan captured, with creative ease, some of the most influential rockers of our time: Lou Reed, Mick Jagger, Iggy Pop and David Bowie, Paul McCartney, New York Dolls, Steven Tyler and much more.
Morgan’s fantastic website captures the focal points of his illustrious career. Check out my interview below, which is laced with humor and insightful perceptions of Morgan’s life and career…
You published official biographies on Alice Cooper and Iggy Pop and the Stooges. If you could gain access to any present hard rock artist or band (formed in the 90`s to present), whose biography would you write about and why?
“Unlike Alice Cooper and The Stooges, both of whom fit the bill, I can’t think of any post-1990 entity that would mesh with my exaggerated comma-eschewing ungrammatical alliterative run-on sentence style of writing. Except maybe Jennifer Lopez.”
You’ve demonstrated a profound interest in comic books. Which comic book movie have you enjoyed most, and also represents the closest rendition to the original comic?
“Frank Miller’s Sin City is about as unreasonably obsessive as you can get. So is Frank, for that matter.”
I used to read every CREEM Magazine published. You were a writer, photographer, and the Canadian editor of the magazine. From your perspective, what made CREEM Magazine so unique and special when it came to covering rock and metal?
“CREEM never took itself, or the music it covered, too seriously. Everyone and everything was fair game, to be made an example of, especially to hammer home a point. You were often informed; usually entertained; and always eviscerated.”
What projects are you focusing your talents on now?
“Thank you for asking. I’m currently compiling a profusely illustrated, 60,000-word anthology of my collected rock ’n’ roll writings as told through 50 years of interviews; record reviews; and dozens of rare, never before seen, rock photographs. God willing, it will be published in 2019, just in time for my in-person appearance signing copies at ALTAMONT 2019: THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION CONCERT. You can’t miss me. I’ll be in the front row.”
Thanks to Jeffrey and Creem Magazine.
INFERNO OF ROCK TRIVIA QUESTIONS:
If trivia is up your alley, make sure to check out the Inferno of Rock Trivia Card Game available on Amazon or worldwide from Rock From Hell.
SEPTEMBER 2017 TRIVIA QUESTION ANSWERS
[1] Matt Heafy sang two songs at his high school talent show that helped him to land the gig with Trivium. Name them…
“No Leaf Clover” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Metallica.
[2] What instrument is never used on a Royal Blood album?
Lead Guitar and never any overdubbing plus each song was done in one take.
OCTOBER 2017 TRIVIA QUESTIONS
[1] Gojira’s name comes from what horror movie?
[2] Name the guest musician on Zakk Wylde’s song “Sleeping Dogs”…
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