Who's So Vain, and Other Rock Mysteries
From around the world and up your street, here's the latest news of interest to me and my classic rock buds (that's you.)
Broadway Delay
An intriguing collaboration between John Mellencamp and author Stephen King has been moved to the back burner. The combination of music by Mellencamp and a novel by King was to have become a stage production, The Boys Of Darkland County. It was set to debut next spring in Atlanta, and, if all went well, move to Broadway. "Unanticipated scheduling problems" are blamed for a delay in getting the script ready on schedule. The target is now late 2009 or early 2010.
Jokes For Grads
"What's the difference between a musician and a municipal bond? A municipal bond matures and makes money." So joked Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell as he spoke at commencement exercises at Central Michigan University. But it wasn't all yuks and chuckles, as Leavell offered some of his own experiences to convey the message that success comes from a combination of desire, determination, and integrity.
Who's So Vain?
For the past 35 years the world has wondered who was so vain that he probably thought Carly Simon's 1973 hit song was about him. It looks like we are destined to wonder indefinitely. Simon says her song was indeed about a specific person, but in an interview with Reuters, she held fast to her doctrine of secrecy. She is, however, happy to talk about her new album, This Kind Of Love.
Frank Zappa's Baltimore Bust
The art commission in Baltimore wants to display a bronze bust of the late Frank Zappa, and the eclectic artist's widow, Gail, says that's just fine with her. The model for the bust is one that has been on display for several years in Lithuania, where fans led the effort to get the Baltimore-born Zappa's likeness put on display in his hometown.
Who's On The Web
Can you believe that The Who are only just now getting around to launching a website? The "official home of The Who online" is thewho.com. Hey, welcome to the 21st century, guys!
John Mellencamp photo by Jamie Squire / Getty Images; Carly Simon photo by Paul Hawthorne / Getty Images
Comments
Well, I doubt very seriously that Jagger was the, “vain,” one from that song. He was singing back-up on, “You’re So Vain.” As for me, I’m prety sure that, “he,” was Warren Beatty. He wanted to conquer ever woman and just about everyhting else at the time and he’d most certainly fly to Nove Scotia to see the eclipse.Then, again, it WAS Jagger who mentioned,” on Kentucky Derby Day,” from the Stones’ DEAD FLOWERS, but that too was a song about, “some rich folks that you know.”