I understand Grand Funk still tours these days but without Mark Farner. No Mark Farner = No Grand Funk.

That's probably because it still hasn't been officially announced.

From the L.A. Times: CBS and Warner Bros. have announced that they are cancelling production of the hit sitcom “Two and a Half Men” for at least the rest of the season after star Charlie Sheen trashed the show’s executive producer in his latest radio interview. The show had been on production hiatus since late last month after Sheen entered rehab. Earlier Thursday, Sheen called in to "The Alex Jones Show" radio program and took a shot at Alcoholics Anonymous and Chuck Lorre, the co-creator of his hit show.

Believe you me, featuring Zep on an episode of Glee isn't going to stop people (young, old or ignorant) from referring to them as "he".

I know my interest started to wane after the Phoenix record.

Because their albums started to suck?

I don't understand the reasoning here. So, it was used on a TV show so now you've sworn off the song itself?

Here in NC it's usually late on Saturday night/early Sunday morning. Your best bet is to check your local listings for PBS.

Critics hated bands like Grand Funk Railroad for being too generic but when I was a kid and heard "I'm Your Captain" (or whatever song it may have been) for the first time, what some critic thought of it was the furthest thing from my mind. I liked it (and still do) because something about the music moved me. Just look at that crowd at Shea Stadium in the clip above, goes to show I wasn't the only one.

I think "Ode To Billy Joe" is such a great song because what actually happened is never revealed so it always maintains an air of mystery.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am1D_JYjnp8

I've never seen or heard the performance. Bits and pieces here and there, yes but I haven't seen the entire performance.

Alice Cooper: The Original Shock Rocker by DAVID C. BARNETT February 22, 2011 In March, five new performers will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It's an eclectic group of selections, ranging from New Orleans funk giant Dr. John to gravel-voiced skid-row balladeer Tom Waits. But in spite of their differences, each of these singers adopted a special identity or image to stand out from the rest of the pack. Over the next several weeks, Morning Edition will look behind the stage personas of this year's inductees. Vince Furnier's first stage costume was a Beatles wig. He and some buddies from the Cortez High School cross-country team in Phoenix entered a talent show in 1964, doing their impression of the Fab Four. They went over so well that they cut a record the following year. They called themselves the Spiders, and Furnier says they really took their stage image seriously. To read the rest of the article click here.

Cover art for the new Steve Earle record which is due April 26th:

This is not the type of material that Link Wray cemented his reputation on a la "Rumble" but it is very much worth checking out nevertheless:

One of the coolest things Rolling Stone magazine has ever done is their recent Playlists issue. That has given me more insight into the artists than most interviews ever will.

For those interested, the Aquarium Drunkard blog has a nice write up on The Band here.

I'll have to hear the album to make up my own mind but according to this review, the new record is an "absolute disaster".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JXrFW3YGZw

Thanks to NPR's First Listen.

From the RockItOutBlog: If you’re a fan of the Rolling Stones but only like the hit singles then you’re probably the brunt of a lot of jokes from hardcore Stones fans. Still, the band realize that people like you exist which is why they’re releasing a giant singles box set on April 11th. The Rolling Stones Singles (1971-2006) includes 45 singles from the band along with rarities, re-mixes and live versions of the tracks which adds up to a grand total of 173 tracks. But, according to the post at the band’s website, that ain’t all you’re gettin’. It comes in a striking pink box featuring the band’s trademark tongue design and replicates the original 7”, 12” and CD singles in miniature picture sleeves and labels. It also includes a 32-page hardback book packed with memorabilia, period photos, essay by renowned journalist, broadcaster and Stones expert Paul Sexton and features an exclusive new interview with Bill Wyman, the band’s former bassist and on-going archivist. Plus, since every bit of music released in April is connected to Record Store Day in some way, the Stones are releasing a limited 7″ vinyl of “Brown Sugar” on April 16th.

I enjoyed it too, except for the Dylan part which was just painful to watch. My aversion to the Avetts began with their manager hyping them to death on a local (NC) music discussion list back in the early 00s. I would probably enjoy them in concert but haven't done so yet. They're playing the Azalea Festival in Wilmington so I may try to check them out then.

Again, not trying to start a fight here. I'm just saying The Avett's performance definitely inspired lots of folks to seek out their music. Sales also went up for Mumford & Sons. From CreativeLoafing.com: The Avett’s Grammys surge February 18th, 2011 by Jeff Hahne Just got this in a press release: Following their performance on this year’s Grammy Awards broadcast, The Avett Brothers sold 23,000 singles withing the show’s broadcast. Immediately following the live Grammy telecast, The Avett Brothers topped the iTunes Top Songs and Top Album chart. The band also reached “volcanic” status on Google searches as well as becoming a trending topic on Twitter. The traffic to the band’s site increased 525%. Additionally, The Avett Brothers experienced a 256% sales increase, which was a higher increase than even that of other performers Arcade Fire, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Lady Antebellum and Bruno Mars.