White Lightning

Steve Clark died 16 years ago today. He was the co-lead guitarist for Def Leppard, a tortured soul who drank himself to death at age 30.

Adrenalize was Def Leppard’s first album without Steve. He died midway through production after an accidental overdose of mixing prescription pain killers and liquor. On the album, the remaining four members of DL recorded the track “White Lightning.” Clark’s nickname was “White Lightning” but the term is also used to describe booze and other drugs. While treated as an anthem to their fallen comrade, lyrics to “White Lightning” also include a warning for others riding the addiction train:

“You wanna leave but you can't let go
You wanna stop but you can't say no
(You never laugh about it, you just can't live without it)
You've had enough but you just want more
You never get what you're looking for
(You never laugh about it)”

And later, after the bridge:

“The White Lightning - On a dead end street
White Lightning - Where the deadbeats meet
White Lightning - It's a one way ride
White Lightning - Oh, there's nowhere to hide.”

Instead of replacing Clark during the Adrenalize sessions, the band forged ahead as a quartet, later hiring Vivian Campbell on guitars. On the official website www.defleppard.com, Steve Clark retains a biography under the band section.

This, beyond any recording or songwriting capabilities, speaks volumes to the talent Clark oozed during his time with the British supergroup. In short, Clark knew the true essence of the 1980s musical zeitgeist and was able to transform that mold into power cords, strong riffs and gigantic album sales.

Personally, I think “White Lightning” is the best track on Adrenalize. The 50 second guitar intro literally makes the song, and the entire track isn’t overproduced like so many DL hits. Interestingly, the song was never released as a single, and I can only assume this was out of respect for Clark. The band didn’t want to look like it was profiting off the death of their famous guitarist. For this reason, “White Lightning” will be our underappreciated song obsession of the week.

For Def Leppard, success is a mixed bag. Personally, I award DL the title of the biggest band of the 1980s. They sold more albums, played more shows and stayed on the charts longer than any other glam band. In the middle of the grunge hey-day, Adrenalize simultaneously debuted at number 1 on the U.S. and U.K. Billboard charts, remaining in the top spot for several weeks. Sales-wise, this was Def Leppard’s last big success, save for the many greatest hits compilations (Rock of Ages: The Definitive Collection was certified platinum in February of 2006). Critics say that when Steve Clark died, so did Def Leppard. I don’t know if I agree with that statement, but I do think the band lost a certain edge that will never be replaced. It’s a certain quality every band loses when an integral musician leaves the fold.

[“White Lightning” lyrics by Def Leppard, for the 1992 Mercury/Universal release Adrenalize]

Live! Tonight! Sold Out!

"We’re Not Gonna Take It."

A fierce battle cry from Dee Snider and the rest of Twisted Sister helped the New York glam band reach stardom. Now, more than two decades later, the tune is being used to hock hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Just one more instance of rock bands selling out in a world where nothing is sacred, including the rebellion and anti-establishment attitude of rock.

Rocks biggest whores, the Rolling Stones, have sold out numerous times, and I don’t just mean Madison Square Garden. Think back to 1995, when financial titan Microsoft launched Windows 95 and paid the Stones 10 million bucks for rights to "Start Me Up."  I’m sure all that money went to feed hungry kids in Africa and help illiterate kids here in the U.S. learn to the read.

It gets worse.

My beloved Aerosmith sold their flagship song, “Dream On” to Buick. Buick!?! How can rock icons hock Buicks? In under a month, NASCAR season revs up again, with Aerosmith as the official music act of the world’s largest spectator sport.

Here’s a quote on the “partnership” from guitar legend Joe Perry: “Aerosmith and NASCAR on ESPN and ABC couldn't be more appropriate. 'Go faster' is our middle name. Between the five of us, we probably own 25 or 30 cars and half of those are American muscle cars. In fact, when we're off the road and we can't find Brad [Whitford], he's probably on the infield at a NASCAR race. This is a dream come true for us. See you at the races!"

Good God.

Aerosmith taped a video of (gasp!) “Back in the Saddle” during a recent tour stop in Las Vegas. The video will be used in opening credits for all ESPN/ABC presentations of NASCAR races. No matter how hard I dig, I can't find how much this little partnership is worth. I can only assume a fat dime.

Think about all the travel commercials you see during the summer. Yes, that’s the Iggy Pop tune “Lust for Life” in all those Carnival Cruise Line ads. Makes you want to run to the dock and rock with the family, doesn't it?

The whole point of the tirade is this: if seminal bands like the Rollings Stones, Aerosmith, and scores more are in hot demand by record executives, then the music is still in hot demand by their loyal fans. There’s a reason why Madison Avenue isn’t calling  Diddy or 50 Cent for their next big ad campaign. You can bet Mick Jagger is sitting by the phone, waiting for his next offer.

Another One Bites the Dust...

Poor, macabre Marilyn Manson. He's getting divorced from the seemingly normal burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese.

Here's a shocker: Von Teese filed paperwork for the divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Tabloids speculate Manson's alcoholism contributed to the marital problems.

The couple married in December 2005.

In related news, it seems guitar legend Eddie Van Halen is getting hitched. At least, that's what it says on his girlfriend's MySpace page. As a non-MySpace user, I don't know what to make of the official "announcement" except that I find it more than coincidental that the day after the posting, Eddie selected a new publicist to handle media requests and the upcoming 2007 "reunion tour."

Ah, the life of rockstars...

Paxl n' Roses

Yes, more news on Axl Rose, loyal glam readers.

A biography on the sometimes crazy, always talented Guns n' Roses frontman. Rock Journalist Mick Wall is putting the finishing touches on a biography of Rose, titled Axl Rose: The Unauthorized Biography. A May 4 release date is planned.

Yes folks, this is the same Mike Wall that wrote the unauthorized biography Guns N Roses: The Most Dangerous Band In The World.

The long awaited Guns n' Roses album Chinese Democracy was recently featured in a lengthy article for the U.K. Mail, written by none other than Mike Wall.

The article talks about the upcoming album, and Wall's book project. He says Rose threatened to kill him if the book went to print.

That has yet to be seen. I'll be sure to keep tabs on this hot developing story.

Just Couldn't Wait

Ok, I was planning on saving this blog until the new season of Gene Simmons Family Jewels started, but I can't wait.
If you haven't seen the show, it airs on A&E on Monday nights. (I think it's very postmodern that a show about the KISS frontman is on A&E!)

As you can assume, the show focuses on Gene Simmons and his life with former Playboy Playmate Shannon Tweed, and their two (very normal) kids. In fact, the whole family is oddly normal. The kids are disciplined. Shannon does the house chores. Gene pays the bills and complains about the noise when his son rehearses with his rock band! The only catch is that Gene and Shannon are not married. He doesn't believe in marriage because that would force fidelity, but the pair have been together for more than two decades.

The series started with slow ratings, and quickly grew to one of the network's highest rated shows. More than a typical reality series about a famous family, the series is really an experiment in modern American life. Gene Simmons is classic rock legend, glammed to the hilt. This is the same man who swears to have slept with more than four thousand women, but refuses to drink or do drugs. He says America needs moral values. Insert your own comments here.

As a sidebar, Season 1 of Gene Simmons Family Jewels is out on store shelves. Gene likes his money, and he'll market anything with the KISS logo including a casket that helps you rock into the afterlife.

Just this morning, the bands official website, www.kissonline.com, launched a campaign for a new KISS Visa card. 

What fans really want is a new KISS album. Oh well.  

Strange Bedfellows

Metal music is making a lot of bizarre headlines today. I was prepared to write about Stephen Pearcy's new deal with an L.A. management company which is promising  help developing a record label. The ex-RATT frontman started Top Fuel Records a short time ago and also plans on releasing a box set of his classic material.

Now to the headlines:

First, isn't music supposed to bring us closer together? A man was killed after an argument over Metallica! The man was fighting with a group of teens while riding on a Canadian bus and things got heated. As the motley group continued to fight, the teens got more and more agitated and allegedly beat the man to death. The three teens now face charges of manslaughter.

And this morning, a Washington Post report finds that detainees at Guantanamo Bay were forced to listen to metal music. First, is this punishment? Second, why is this considered punishment? And is it wrong that I take offense to this? The article goes on to explain some actual torture techniques that our fine government paid for and instituted. Actually, I'm too disgusted now to continue. Just plain disgusted.

Check out the entire article on www.washingtonpost.com 
You'll be disgusted too.

This people, is NOT glam.

Friends in High Places

Back in the 1980s and early 1990s, Lonn Friend was a big time music player. He started at Hustler magazine and worked his way up to editor of RIP magazine , largely lauded as the heaviest magazine in rock. After the magazine went out of publication, Friend became an A&R rep for Arista records, and later a consultant for several major rock acts.

Friend was on the outside looking in, looking back out. He had privilege and access few only dream of (myself included). After a near mental breakdown, failed marriage, and money problems, Friend returned to the fold to write a book about his life in music, aptly called Life on Planet Rock. The book is a music biography like no other, filled with behind the scenes details and testimony to Friend's power in the very fickle industry. Left with only his pen and memories, Friend is able to transport his readers backstage at the Monsters of Rock Festival or to the dinner table with heavy hitters like record executive David Geffen.

What also makes this book a great read is that Friend is first and foremost a journalist. As a member of the press, it's nice to know that not every celebrity hates the journalists that make them famous and keep them in the public eye.

As the rock scene changed in the late 1980s, Friend's demeanor and authorial voice also changes. From 80s decadence to 90s self-awareness, Friend reflects on his life and his (sometimes) failed career moves. As someone who dreams of working for a music magazine, this book proves an invaluable resource.