Even though it gets more than a bit gossipy with some of the details, I'm really enjoying reading I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution as it provides the back story behind lots of the early (as well as latter day) videos that aired on MTV. The book concentrates solely on the years when MTV was known primarily as a music channel and ends just prior to The Real World and so-called "reality" programming taking off.

A different take on A-ha's "Take On Me" that every Zeppelin fan will be able to appreciate (or maybe not).

Should be a good one. Butch Hancock played a rare show here in NC recently but I had to miss him.

Fortunately I've found a local theatre that's not only affordable but also seems to be mostly asshat free. It also helps to go on off nights when the asshats seem to be elsewhere. It's not a state of the art theatre with stadium seating and all that but it's not run down either. I'm willing to make the compromise.

From All Things Music Plus: Pictures at Eleven is the debut solo album by Robert Plant, released on this date in June 1982. Led Zeppelin fans dazed from the 1980 death of drummer John Bonham and the breakup of the group shortly thereafter didn't have to wait long for Robert Plant's first solo album, 1982's Pictures at Eleven. Following in the more modern rock direction that Zep was headed on their final release In Through the Out Door, Pictures at Eleven remains one of Plant's best solo albums. By downplaying his former band's penchant for stomping, guitar-based hard rock, Plant comes up with a pretty original sound and direction overall - as proven by such highlights as "Moonlight in Samosa," "Slowdancer," and "Burning Down One Side." Genesis drummer Phil Collins played drums for six of the album's eight songs. Ex-Rainbow drummer Cozy Powell handled drums on "Slow Dancer" and "Like I've Never Been Gone". Pictures at Eleven signaled the return of Robert Plant, who spent the rest of the 1980s issuing solid solo albums. REVIEW by Mike DeGagne, allmusic For his debut solo album, Robert Plant doesn't exactly succumb to everyone's expectations. With a less-potent vocal style, Plant manages to carry out most of the songs in smooth, stylish fashion while rocking out rather convincingly on a couple of others. He gets some pretty good help from guitarist Robbie Blunt, who truly comes to life on "Worse Than Detroit," and both Phil Collins and Cozy Powell give Plant enough of a solid background to lean his sultry yet surging rock voice against. Plant channels his energy quite effectively through songs like "Pledge Pin" and "Moonlight in Samosa," while the single "Burning Down One Side" is a creditable one, even though it failed to crack the Top 50 in both the U.K. and the U.S. The most apparent characteristic about the album's eight tracks is the fact that Plant is able to escape most of his past and still sound motivated. Without depending too much on his Led Zeppelin days, he courses a new direction without changing or disguising his distinct vocal style whatsoever. Pictures at Eleven peaked within the Top Five on both sides of the Atlantic, successfully launching Plant's solo career. TRACKS All songs written by Robert Plant and Robbie Blunt, except "Burning Down One Side," "Fat Lip," and "Far Post," written by Plant, Blunt and Jezz Woodroffe. Side One 1. "Burning Down One Side" – 3:55 2. "Moonlight in Samosa" – 3:58 3. "Pledge Pin" – 4:01 4. "Slow Dancer" – 7:43 Side Two 1. "Worse Than Detroit" – 5:55 2. "Fat Lip" – 5:05 3. "Like I've Never Been Gone" – 5:56 4. "Mystery Title" – 5:16 2007 remaster CD - bonus tracks * "Far Post" – 4:42 * "Like I've Never Been Gone" (live)

New Rhett Miller

Couple covers (one partial) from Dan Baird and Homemade Sin: "American Girl" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and the beginning of "Helpless" by CSNY (not sure why they stopped filming and didn't edit the clip).

Never heard this original version of what later became "Let It Rain" until I heard it on XM's Deep Tracks channel several years ago. It originated from a song Clapton wrote with Bonnie Bramlett from the original sessions for Clapton's first solo album. It can be found on the deluxe edition of Eric Clapton (which includes more cuts from those sessions).

Q&A: Jonathan Demme on the Making of 'Neil Young Journeys' (Rolling Stone)

How Movie Theatres Should Be Laid Out (The Oatmeal)

It's also on the YouTubes:

If you like what you hear you can check out more Debonzo Brothers music here.

Photo from the collection of NYPD police officer Antonio Bolfo from his days on the beat in the South Bronx projects. To see more click here.

Never before seen photos taken by the late Jim Marshall (from CNN).