Burtnik News

[sadie65]

Stepping away from politics for some far lighter fare:

http://www.oregonlive.com/O/entertainme ... xml&coll=7

Moody guitarist will flap his Wings again
Saturday, October 04, 2008
PETER AMES CARLIN
The Oregonian Staff

D enny Laine is kind of a rock 'n roll hero. Just not the kind you hear about very often.

He's an understated guy, more involved with his guitar than with talking about how many legendary musicians he's played with, though it's a pretty impressive list. Just consider his decade-long run as Paul McCartney's chief co-pilot in Wings during the 1970s.

And that was after Laine co-founded the Moody Blues and served as lead singer on the group's first hit single, a driving piano ballad called "Go Now." Laine left the group in 1966, founded the Electric String Band, which earned the acclaim of Jimi Hendrix, among others. He played with Stevie Winwood and Ric Grech in the all-star band Ginger Baker's Air Force, then in 1971 fielded a call from McCartney.

Laine will be playing an array of Wings-era hits at the Aladdin Theater on Sunday night. The music will come bracketed by tales about rock's most legendary figures, but typically, Laine won't be doing the talking: that will fall to the show's producer, Pete Bennett, a garrulous insider whose own career includes long stints with the Beatles, all the ex-Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Madonna and more.

But let's give Laine the microphone for a moment and let him describe his own wild life in his own laid-back words.

"I formed the Moody Blues in Birmingham (England), back when the Spencer Davis Group was there, too. We were a blues band then, nothing but the blues. Then we got discovered and moved to London, and got into American rhythm and blues. We did the Beatles' second British tour, then toured with the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, all those guys, and we backed up quite a few black blues players, too.

"I quit the Moodies and started the Electric String Band, which had guitars and electrified violins and that. We were a kind of minor, underground hit if you know what I mean. We opened a Hendrix show, and even Jimi was impressed, I could tell. And that was where I think Paul started thinking of working with me. He was there too, with John Lennon.

"But that band broke up and so I went to Spain and studied flamenco guitar for a while. Then I joined Ginger Baker's Air Force and was living in my manager's office when Paul called. He said, 'Do ya fancy putting together a band?' And I said sure, so I was on the plane to his farm in Scotland to start rehearsing the next day. I slept in Paul's garage on a kind of mattress, they didn't have any spare rooms then.

"We just sort of jammed for a while in his barn. Paul got Linda to play keyboards, teaching her these simple parts. That was weird for me -- I was used to playing with really experienced people. But that's what Paul wanted to do. I got Henry McCullough from Joe Cocker's band to join us on guitar, then we went out to play these small gigs at universities. We'd just show up unannounced and ask if it was OK to play that night.

"I wrote a lot of songs with Paul (including the group's biggest worldwide hit, "Mull of Kintyre"), and it was just like the way he wrote with John: He'd bring in songs he'd started, or he'd help me finish something I'd started, or we'd take two completely different songs and fit them together. By 1976 we were huge, playing bigger shows than the Stones or Led Zeppelin. That Kingdome show in Seattle (the first rock concert in the stadium) was the biggest show we ever played. But we never got to Japan, until 1980, and that's when Paul got busted for having pot. That was the end of our touring days, so that was why I left. I didn't want to just play in studios.

"We never actually fell out, just sort of drifted away. The press might have twisted things around later, and so it did go haywire for a while. We saw each other at a UB40 concert last Christmas, and it was a bit nostalgic. Someone took a picture of us and I said, 'That'll be on the Internet tomorrow.' And it was.

"Now I've written a musical called 'Arctic Song,' basically a sci-fi environmental piece; it involves an alien who meets a Siberian girl and they solve the world's problems. I played some shows with Todd Rundgren, I've got a solo record nearly done, and I'm writing an autobiography, so I've got a lot on my plate.

"The show on Sunday will have a lot of Pete Bennett's stories. He started with Elvis, and worked with the Beatles and like that. He's just brilliant, and a character, too, so we have lots of laughs together. We play a lot of Wings stuff, Glen Burtnik, from Styx, is in the band, and he's terrific. I just know the caliber of the musicians is fantastic. It can't fail, to be honest."

Peter Ames Carlin is on book leave from his post as television critic at The Oregonian, though you can follow his musings on his blog at www.blog.oregonlive.com/idiotbox/

[LordofDaRing]

Pretty cool Saidie. I always lookes at Wings as an underated band, because of the inevitable Beatle comparisons. However an album like Band on the Run was a freaking masterpiece. Albeit, Paul's writing and creativity was the focus. Go now is a great song.

[brywool]

Danny Laine was always cool. Some of his Wings songs were really good, "Time to Hide" being the best track off of "Wings: At the Speed of Sound". I always thought Denny got a rough deal with Paul. Too bad.

[LordofDaRing]

Brywool:
Time to Hide on the live Wings Over America is one of the best tracks on that whole three ablum (2 CD) set. He really rocks on that one. Paul has always been one of those guys that could turn an average recorded song into a super live track: Rock Show, Letting Go, Soily, Live and Let Die all from that collection. Not sure what went down between Paul and Denny. I know after John's death, he ended wings. I know his touring band now is absolutely phenominal. Cannot wait till he tours again, maybe early next year.

[brywool]

Brywool:
Time to Hide on the live Wings Over America is one of the best tracks on that whole three ablum (2 CD) set. He really rocks on that one. Paul has always been one of those guys that could turn an average recorded song into a super live track: Rock Show, Letting Go, Soily, Live and Let Die all from that collection. Not sure what went down between Paul and Denny. I know after John's death, he ended wings. I know his touring band now is absolutely phenominal. Cannot wait till he tours again, maybe early next year.

What happened with Wings really boiled down to the Pot bust in Japan. Denny had hung with Paul through everything and was even around AFTER Wings was no more. Basically, Paul jettisoned Lawrence Juber and Steve Holly (the later players in Wings) and went and did the McCartney II album solo. There were songs later that had Denny still on them, I believe from both Tug of War and Pipes of Peace. But then Paul started working more closely with 10CC's Eric Stewart. Denny, as he said, wanted to keep playing live, but at that time, Paul really wasn't doing that much live playing.

His new band is definitely good. When I first heard them, I thought they were a bit sloppy, but they were better singers than the 1990 Flowers in the Dirt band by a long shot. The new band has way more balls to it and adds a cool rough edge while still sounding good. I wish that Paul would use them more on his albums. It's nice to have different vocal textures there other than just Paul's multi-tracked voice.
It would be nice to see Paul and Laine work together again. sorry, kind of went off topic there...

I'm surprised DeYoung isn't trying to get in on this with Glenn as he's a huge McCartney fan. You'd think he'd want to participate.
Hey Glenn! I sing and play guitar! I'd like to help!!! I know Denny's tunes!!

[LordofDaRing]

Although he won't admit it, I think Paul was concerned for his own safety after John was assassinated, which was shortly after that drug bust if I remember. In fact there was some book out that claimed John and Yoko set Paul up at the Japanese airport. I remember Harry Nilson had asked George Harrision to participate in an anti hand gun campaign/concert, and George publicly remarked something to the account of not wanting to walk around with a bullseye on his back at the show.

I now during a special Paul did about wings not to long ago, he simply replied that wings had run its course.

[brywool]

that book sucked! Geoffry Guliano= Douche Bag. (the author).
I don't remember George saying that, but it sounds like something he'd say. He pretty much stayed at Friar Park for years after John' murder. You didn't hear much from him that. He was pretty disgusted with the music biz too.
(Speaking of John's murder, check out the new Rick Springfield song about it. It's a GREAT song. "3 Warning Shots")
I think they all kind of hid away for a bit and just kept low, at least for a bit.

[stmonkeys]

getting back on topic (burtnik news) rumor has it that anybody going to the Atlanta show this weekend will be in for a REAL treat (NEW SONGS!!!)

be sure to report back! LOL (that means you, zan!!!)

[bugsymalone]

I don't remember George saying that, but it sounds like something he'd say. He pretty much stayed at Friar Park for years after John' murder. You didn't hear much from him that. He was pretty disgusted with the music biz too.

I think, at the time, there were several interviews with George where he expressed his concern about a copycat murderer targeting him or any of the other Beatles. I don't blame any of them for laying low and being worried. There are too many idiots out there hoping to make a name for themselves in this manner as we well know.

What is strange is, despite his concerns and how well he protected his home, George was victimized by a lone crazy who managed to get into his estate (Not unlike the intruder who got into Buckingham Palace and into the Queen's bedroom!) Olivia Harrison was the heroine of that night, for sure and very likely saved George's life. What a strange, strange event.

Bugsy

[LordofDaRing]

"What is strange is, despite his concerns and how well he protected his home, George was victimized by a lone crazy who managed to get into his estate (Not unlike the intruder who got into Buckingham Palace and into the Queen's bedroom!) Olivia Harrison was the heroine of that night, for sure and very likely saved George's life. What a strange, strange event. "

I was thinking the exact same thing Bugsy. Yeah I heard his wife kicked some ass, good for her.

"getting back on topic (burtnik news) rumor has it that anybody going to the Atlanta show this weekend will be in for a REAL treat (NEW SONGS!!!)

be sure to report back! LOL"

My brother-in-law lives just outside of Atlanta, it would be more than worth the drive, he seems to play there a lot. Just can't fit it in this weekend. Definately whomever goes, report back!

[LordofDaRing]

I listened to another Denny Laine classic cover of Richard Cory off the Wings live this morning.

[brywool]

I listened to another Denny Laine classic cover of Richard Cory off the Wings live this morning.

yeah, that was a good one. I also liked Spirits of Ancient Egypt from Venus and Mars. Speaking of Wings, McCartney, Beatles...

did you guys see Ringo and his no fanmail message? WHAT A JERK.

[LordofDaRing]

Nope, what is that all about?

[froy]

LordofDaRing"]Nope, what is that all about?

LONDON: Former Beatle Ringo Starr is cutting himself off from his fans.

He has put up a video message on his web site asking fans not to mail him after Oct 20.

"No more fan mail and nothing and no objects to be signed, nothing," the message says.

The former drummer said: "Nothing will be signed after the 20th of October. If that is the date on the envelope, it's gonna be tossed. I'm warning you with peace and love I have too much to do."

He gave no reasons for the decision. In April, a foliage sculpture of Starr outside a train station in Liverpool was beheaded by vandals. BBC News says the performer had reportedly angered some locals when he told the BBC's Jonathan Ross he missed nothing about the city.

Starr now lives in the US and France, apart from his house in Surrey, England. He had released his most recent album - Liverpool 8 - this January.[/quote]

[brywool]

Play the video:
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Showbiz-News/Ringo-Starr-Former-Beatles-Drummer-Says-He-Is-Giving-Up-Signing-Autographs/Article/200810215119576?lpos=Showbiz_News_First_UK_News_Article_Teaser_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15119576_Ringo_Starr:_Former_Beatles_Drummer_Says_He_Is_Giving_Up_Signing_Autographs


Sorry for the huge URL.
He comes across as a major ass. I can see his point, but he should be cooler about it in my opinion. I think more people have played this message than played his "Liverpool 8" album.

[LordofDaRing]

Sorry to hear that. I saw him in concert this last summer, and he really came across as a great guy and very appreciative of his fans. I have never understood a celeberties refusal to sign an autograph, unless it was really a bad time (sitting on the can or attending a funderal for instance). These hollywood types never have seemed to grasp, without the fans, they would be absolutely nothing.