We’ve squabbled over nominees, definitions and “ethos” but now is the time to vote. The following albums have all been nominated and seconded. They are all listed on the poll to the right.
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Sep 012008
Jul 132008
Here at Rock Town Hall we often make claims for a record or artist or album cover or concert or producer or what have you as being GREAT [caps and italics for emphasis]! But what do we mean by this term? We nod our heads or disagree vehemently, as if we understand what it means, but until this RTH Glossary entry, suggested by Townsman Mwall, I’m not sure that we’ve ever been able to reach agreement on what the designation GREAT means. Listen to this Lou guy, in the following clip. I think his recounting of a GREAT concert he attended – and the telling of his experiences – clearly illustrate once and for all what’s meant when any of us proclaim something in the world of rock as GREAT!
Jan 192008
Seems like we’ve been through something like this before.
There are two issues of vital national interest in the cross hairs here.
1. Was Ollie Halsall a Rutle?
2. Who was Dirk McQuickly? Eric Idle or Ollie Halsall?
Here’s what various sites on the internets have to say:
‘Leppo, The Fifth Rutle’ (Stu Sutcliffe) — seen only in a still photograph in the film – the photo showed Ollie Halsall, who actually played and sang on the soundtrack. (Halsall, in real life, was one of the four musicians who performed all The Rutles’ music, the others being Innes, Halsey and Fataar. Idle did not actually play or sing on the soundtrack.)
The fourth ‘real’ Rutle, Ollie Halsall, died in Spain in 1992.
Ollie desperately wanted to portray ‘Paul’ in the Rutles, alongside Admiral’ John Halsey’s ‘Ringo’. The US backers needed a ‘star’ however, and the part of ‘Dirk McQuickly’ was taken by Rutles creator Eric Idle himself Ollie had to settle for the ‘walk-on’ part of Leppo (original bassist ‘Stuart Sutcliffe’). But Halsey recalls that, when it came to recording the soundtrack, Idle couldn’t quite handle the vocals parts so, Ollie, as well as creating the amazing BeatIe guitar pastiches, also sang ‘Paul’s’ part, speeded up slightly. In this and other respects, Halsall’s contribution the Rutles project has never been fully recognised.
Video after the fold.
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Jun 262007
Rock of Ages
Tonight on Larry King Live, Larry host surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr along with surviving Beatles brides Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison. King is sxpected to make his case for being crowned the Fifth Beatle. Says a rep for King, “Although Larry respects the decision of Rock Town Hall to crown George Martin as the Fifth Beatle once and for all, Larry hopes, if nothing else, to ensure a higher ranking than Philadelphia broadcasting legend Larry Kane.”
The interview will also include Cirque du Soleil founder Guy LaLiberte, as The Beatles’ tribute Love celebrates its 1-year anniversary playing in Las Vegas. It is expected that The Beatles families will thank LaLiberte and his group for doing their part to ensure that no present or future member of the extended families of McCartney, Lennon, Harrison, and Starr will ever have to work through the year 3017.
You can send in questions for Larry to ask the band here. No joke; he’s going to need help forming a few coherent questions. Please copy Rock Town Hall on your questions in the Comments section. Thanks.
May 162007
As we all know, the End Times are upon us.
And there are several rock-related issues that require closure. Up first, Who IS The Fifth Beatle? This term has been bandied about more than Paris Hilton’s labia and I for one am more than ready for some closure. And to my mind there is only ONE logical answer but apparently there are others with “opinions” of their own.
