retro-the-best....: Oct 5, 2011

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Retro: Kimmer

MOTOR CITY'S BURNING DOCUMENTARY: MOTOWN TO THE STOOGES
STEVE JOBS: THE WORLD LOST A BRILLIANT MAN TODAY
RETROKIMMER MEETS BOOTSEY X!
JULIAN PAVONE: GUITAR CENTER DRUM OFF DETROIT

MOTOR CITY'S BURNING DOCUMENTARY: MOTOWN TO THE STOOGES

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 08:03 PM PDT

The MC5

This is a full length documentary available on You Tube... but only as a link. Click below and I found it very interesting as I had not seen this before...

MotorCity's Burning Detroit from Motown to The Stooges 2008 DOCUMENTARY. Full length

STEVE JOBS: THE WORLD LOST A BRILLIANT MAN TODAY

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 07:23 PM PDT

Steve Jobs, 1955 – 2011

I am totally bummed that we lost Steve Jobs today... This one man influenced my life probably more than any other... The MAC computer/Ipod/IPad/IMovies and the beat goes on. Bill Gates copied every idea Steve ever had... and he had them all. Take a look at this tribute to perhaps our greatest inventor in US history. At least in my computer geek opinion... RIP Steve...

Steven Paul Jobs, co-founder, chairman and former chief executive of Apple Inc., passed away Wednesday.

A visionary inventor and entrepreneur, it would be impossible to overstate Steve Jobs' impact on technology and how we use it. Apple's mercurial, mysterious leader did more than reshape his entire industry: he completely changed how we interact with technology. He made gadgets easy to use, gorgeous to behold and essential to own.

He made things we absolutely wanted, long before we even knew we wanted them. Jobs' utter dedication to how people think, touch, feel and interact with machines dictated even the smallest detail of the computers Apple built and the software it wrote. FULL STORY

RETROKIMMER MEETS BOOTSEY X!

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 10:13 AM PDT

Bootsey X (Robert Mulrooney)

It has been not quite three years since I began the Retrokimmer blog. What a wild ride! There wasn't much action on Facebook in 2008 when I began but now FB is an integral part of life for a blogger. Networking and meeting new friends and readers is a joy. Another fun part of FB for me is when musicians find my page and comment or just hang out. Such is the case for Bootsey X and Kimmer.

For the past year or so Bootsey X has left comments or liked things that I was doing or photographing to post on FB. He just seemed like such a nice guy. He truly is one of the nicest people I have ever met.

Gerald Shohan and Bootsey X

Anyway, I was headed out to his area to shoot the Guitar Center Drum Off and knowing that Bootsey (like IGGY) is also a drummer, I thought he might like to go along. Thought it would be fun to shoot BX in different environments around the store.

Kimmer and Bootsey X

Never had met Bootsey (Robert Mulrooney) in person, before last night. Stanley T. Madhatter and I went to a gig at the Painted Lady in 2010 for Bootsey, but we just missed meeting him. I did get to see the Lovemasters but Bootsey was downstairs relaxing...

Listen to Pusherman of Love

Some of the Lovemasters are famous Detroiters that we like already like guitarists Phil "Greasy" Carlisi, Ricky Rat, and Gerald Shohan (we met Gerry last night), who's been a Bootsey associate (and Lovemaster) since they started in Coldcock in way back land.

Bootsey X

Bootsey X, has been a mainstay of the Detroit rock scene since his early days as the drummer for the Ramrods. More recently, he's known as the infamous frontman of Bootsey X and the Lovemasters.
I

Cool Black Vic Firth Sticks Bootsey bought at GC

Bootsey gave me 3 of his cds last night and autographed them all for me! YAY... I uploaded them on my computer and rocked out until 3 am with the Lovemaster.... You guys will love him.... and his kick ass band....

For New Bootsey X CD's Email HERE

The Lovemasters: Pusherman of Love
The Lovemasters: Hot Pants Zone
The Ramrods: Gimme Some Action

Bootsey X and the Lovemasters Metrotimes

JULIAN PAVONE: GUITAR CENTER DRUM OFF DETROIT

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 06:26 AM PDT

Guinness World's Youngest Drummer Julian Pavone 7

Last night I went out to Roseville Michigan to shoot Julian Pavone's drum solo at the Guitar Center Drum Off Finals. Knew there would be some really hot young drummers and we were not disappointed! Julian is too young to enter this competition but not to young to steal the show!

The last event of the evening was Julian playing the drum solo from Dave Brubeck's classic "Take 5". Here is my video of Julian's solo:

Julian just blew away the room! Wow it is so incredible watching this young drummer... Even the other drummers were total Julian fans...

So cute!

Julian has such control for so young. I was lucky the store manager let me film from 4 ft away. It was the first time I really got to watch him solo without any interference or people walking through my shot. Amazing... we just don't have any adjectives left! Julian is so talented and yet he is just such a normal boy...

Julian Pavone age 7

Georges "Octobous" Serhal

Georges "Octobous" Serhal was the first drummer to play when we arrived last night. He is fabulous and so powerful. We really liked his technique and power. We will be writing more about him so stay tuned....

This young drummer was incredible !!

Met Bootsey X lead singer/drummer from Detroit... last night at the Guitar Center gig. What a great guy.. We had a lot of fun shooting photos and generally terrorizing the store guys at GC. Just kidding! It was crowded with friends and parents of the contestants so we kind of hung around the perimeter.

Bootsey X Lisa See and Gerald K

Also as my guest was Lisa (See) Szczesny. We met last winter at my birthday party and toured some venues together. Lisa is a vocalist from Detroit and has performed in many venues... most recently at the main summer festivals in Detroit.

Gerald K is a facebook friend who came out to support the drummers and was such fun to hang out with. Thanks GK

Thanks go out to the staff at Guitar Center especially manager Chris Thornburg for assistance with this story.

[New post] Beware the Batman in 2013

Beware the Batman in 2013

by dailypop

One door closes as Batman the Brave and the Bold comes to an end and another opens in Beware the Batman. I had heard that Brave and the Bold would be ending just as yet another Batman series was ramped up, but today an official word came from Sam Register (Executive Vice President, Creative Affairs, at Warner Bros).

Via SuperHeroHype:

The next Batman animated series, debuting in 2013, is titled Beware the Batman. According to Register, the CGI animated series will spotlight a classic-looking Batman teaming up with a gun-toting Alfred Pennyworth and a female ninja sidekick. Beware the Batman is executive-produced by Glen Murakami, and will explore the mythology's more obscure villains, such as Professor Pyg, but also won't shy away from featuring some of the more well-known Batman foes. In the series, Batman will team up with a younger female sidekick named Katana. During the keynote, Register added that Katana will fill the sidekick role, but won't be a replacement for Robin.

Before Beware the Batman hits Cartoon Network in 2013, the ambitious DC Nation will have already been a year old. The entertainment block will be anchored around core episodic programming like the Young Justice, Green Lantern: The Animated Series and Beware the Batman, but DC Nation is also slated to become a one-stop shop for fans of the overall DC universe.

For starters, the network plans to air a multitude of different animated shorts from the likes of Aardman Animations featuring Batman in the company's trademark style, while another set of shorts will highlight DC characters like Wonder Girl, Batgirl and Supergirl in Super Best Friends Forever. Finally, for the die-hards, Plastic Man will get some much-needed face time, while Doom Patrol will be featured in a series of action-oriented shorts.

DC Nation will also bring the world of comics to the fans through a series of live-action news shorts that will range from interviews with top DC brass like Jim Lee, to brief stories on every-day folks who have a unique passion for comics and the DCU.

The ambitious project should help to introduce DC's vast array of characters to a whole new audience, and help pave the way for more feature films or television series like the upcoming Deadman and The Spectre series Warner Bros. has planned.

I'm not sold on the CGi animation style, but this is only a promo image. I am, however, very keen to see DC spread their animated wings with more cartoon projects. They have shown since the Emmy Award-winning Batman Animated Series that they excel in the medium.

More as it comes...

dailypop | October 5, 2011 at 2:29 pm | Tags: Batman, dc comics animation | Categories: Batman, cartoons | URL: http://wp.me/p4kUt-39X

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[New post] Quick reviews: Hulk, Black Panther and X-Men

Quick reviews: Hulk, Black Panther and X-Men

by dailypop

Hulk #41

The finale of the Omegex cycle, the latest issue of the Hulk (red) is full of fisticuffs but also features plenty of character moments and drama for Gen. Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross. Since taking over the series, Jeff Parker has successfully transformed what was a plot gimmick into a fully developed Marvel character.

For traditionalists looking for a more straight forward Hulk comic, this series has been a dream come true. During the off-the-walls Loeb run, the Red Hulk was shown to be extraordinarily powerful. As depicted by Ed McGuinness, these scenes of explosive action are stunning but in retrospect readers had to ask 'is he really that powerful?' At the time it felt more at home in a Warren Ellis book with its over-the-top imagery. Following that run, Jeff Parker has taken to honing and defining the limitations of the Red Hulk and even directly addressing the KO of Utatu the Watcher.

Uatu is one of the oldest cosmic characters of the Marvel Universe. Often shown as a benign being, seeing him get knocked out was absurd. In recent issues, Uatu has set events in motion leading to the release of the deadly Omegex, a being created as the absolute engine of destruction in an alien war long forgotten. Gaining the 'scent' of the Red Hulk from his punch on Uatu's jaw, Omegex hurtles toward Earth to perform his duty. Omegex is essentially a 'Doomsday'-type villain for the Hulk, an unstoppable powerhouse that challenges the Red Hulk's abilities.

Adding to the mix of trouble is the fact that the Red Hulk has become infected with devices that would kill him should he revert back to his human state. Additionally, a trio of monstrous villains led by Zero/One is on his path. Ross has had something of a crisis lately, looking back at his failure as a man and a career military officer. Revisiting his family farm, Ross wistfully talked about his early days as a pilot before Omegex arrived and began their titanic battle.

During Fall of the Hulks/World War Hulks, Loeb attempted to paint a rich and full portrait of Ross in a single issue detailing what drove him to take the Leader's offer and become the Red Hulk. While I liked that issue and enjoyed the break in the action, Parker achieves far more with less effort in this comic. Ross is out of his depth fighting Omegex, but just as he faces definite destruction with no regrets, Zero/One forces him to justify his humanity by revisiting past moments of his life. It's terribly touching to see a rock-solid persona like Ross humbled into sobriety, watching his marriage dwindle by and his daughter fade from his grasp.

In the end, it wasn't breaking his knuckles that defeated Omegex, but Ross accepting himself, faults and all. In the hands of another writer, this would have been sappy and dire but Parker has such a strong relationship with the character and a skill with character-driven stories that is unparalleled. Next month sees the arrival of a new artist, but for a farewell storyline, Omegex saw Gabriel Hardman off in style.

___________________________________________________________________

Black Panther #523.1

A friend of mine recently spotted the 'Black Panther- the Man Without Fear!' headline online and asked me what the Sam Scratch was going on. I answered by saying that it was complicated and left it at that. To be honest, there really is no reason why Black Panther should have taken over Daredevil's place as protector of Hell's Kitchen other than the fact that Marvel Editorial had no idea what to do with him. However, author David Liss and artist Francesco Francavilla have taken lemons and made champagne (if you'll forgive me murdering an adage). A vigilante and cunning crime-fighter, Black Panther has risen from being one of the best heroes of Marvel Comics to an exciting street-level hero. This is significant because Black Panther has often existed in his own little bubble, far away from the rest of the MU. While he has always been a great character, as a Wakandan king, the Black Panther's adventures often deterred readers not sold with that kind of story. By placing him on the street with no resources other than his own intelligence and physical prowess, he is instantly relatable.

In effect, he's Marvel's Batman.

The Black Panther book has received rave reviews for months by fans in love with the rich pulp novel feel of the series. It was a rough road getting used to it, but after getting past the barrier of 'why is this happening?' I recognized how great this series has become.

Without his enhanced abilities or high tech gadgetry, Black Panther has recreated himself as a protector of the innocent. Living a double life as the manager of Diablo's Kitchen, a dilapidated diner in the heart of the city, Black Panther attempts to keep in touch with the common people around him, often becoming ensnared in their lives in the process. Investigating a series of murders, Black Panther finds that a social worker living across the hall has been killing parents abusing or neglecting their children. Hiring an out of work Russian emigrant, T'Chala finds that he has brought an ex assassin into his little world. It's all very complicated.

This point one issue is a great opportunity for new readers to catch up and also enjoy an excellent detective/adventure story. Black Panther has been one of Marvel's rarely respected luminaries for ages. Seeing him gain acclaim has been a fun experience, but I hope I'm not the only one reading. All too often these critically acclaimed books get canceled for lack of sales.

So buy a copy today!
___________________________________________________________________

X-Men Schism #4 (of 5)

The major X-Men event of the ages is coming to a head.

For decades, Cyclops and Wolverine have led the X-Men with a strained kind of respect. The limited series opened showing that even they were shocked at how far they have come, from wanting to kill each other to proudly supporting each other in their leadership of the mutant race. It's all the more saddening to witness that hard won friendship coming to an end. The schism of the story has, to this point, been one of ideologies. Cyclops has accepted that the X-Men is an army fighting a never-ending war while Wolverine views his teammates as family. This conflict heightens as a global army of malfunctioning Sentinels take to the skies, killing humans and mutants alike. Attempting to save face at the opening of a mutant-related museum opening, the X-Men become targets of the new Hellfire Club led by brutal children bent on domination.

I have always been attracted to the X-Men by their facing impossible odds again and again. There has been no the book showing its cast beaten and battered time and time again like the X-Men. Hated and feared by the world at large, the X-Men are at risk by supervillains and the public citizens as well. It's a lose/lose situation. Add to that the friction inside the team itself and you have the makings of a powder keg going off every month.

In the latest issue, a mega-Sentinel is bearing down on Utopia island. Cyclops is determined to fight with what he views as his final stand army of children. Wolverine, however, recognizes that they are facing extinction and must evacuate. Unfortunately, Cyclops doesn't agree, so Wolverine has to force his hand by lacing the island with explosives. On an island about to explode, a massive Sentinel nears with enough power to wipe the entire mutant population from existence.

Then... things get bad.

The friction between Wolverine and Cyclops has always centered on one thing, or person to be more precise... Jean Grey. As soon as she is brought into the argument, things get brutal.

The art chores have strangely shifted each month with this issue drawn by the impeccable Alan Davis. Familiar to comic fans from his work on numerous books, seeing Davis' art on X-Men again after so long is like a trip down memory lane (a long trip in my case).

Cyclops and Wolverine have had disagreements before but this is bad. I'm very interested in seeing how things shake down in the final part (out today).

dailypop | October 5, 2011 at 10:30 am | Tags: black panther, cyclops, Francesco Francavilla david liss, Hulk, jeff parker, Wolverine, x-men schism | Categories: Hulk, Marvel, X-Men | URL: http://wp.me/p4kUt-39Q

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[New post] Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Clone troops embark on ‘Mercy Mission’

Retro: Kimmer

RETROKIMMER: BARON WOLMAN THE ROLLING STONE YEARS

Posted: 04 Oct 2011 04:20 AM PDT

Rolling Stone Magazine's first chief photographer collects his classic photos and inside stories in a dramatic new Coffee Table Book.

LONDON ― Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Baron Wolman – Rolling Stone magazine's original chief photographer during its first three years (1967-70) – is bringing his "Cosmic World Book Tour" back to America this autumn to promote his wildly popular new coffee table book, THE ROLLING STONE YEARS (UK's Omnibus Press) as it enters its 2nd printing.

Baron and friends...

A two-time Amazon #1 Best Seller on two separate Arts & Photography lists, the new 176-page volume is the perfect holiday gift for music fans of all ages. Filled with photos and text, THE ROLLING STONE YEARS is illustrated throughout with "some of the most memorable unguarded images of the era" (Rolling Stone), ranging from iconic to rare to never-before-seen.

This "gorgeous" (The Morton Report) collection covers some of the most significant artists and events from rock's most fertile period, visualizing the music through images of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, The Who, The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Santana, and dozens more!

Since mid-summer, on promotional swings through Russia, the U.S., and most recently, an extended jaunt through Australia, Wolman has presided over sold-out book signings, ecstatically received lectures and glorious exhibitions honoring his lovingly assembled tome -- featuring both classic rock & roll photographs and the inside stories behind them.

Worldwide media coverage includes CNN American Morning, ABC News Australia, Rolling Stone (Russia, Mexico, Spain, Australia and the U.S.), Newsweek's The Daily Beast, Mojo, The Independent (UK), London Times, Boston Globe, and much more.

"The reception everywhere of me, of my photographs and now, my book, has been astonishing," says Baron. "Over the years I've always been amazed how my much my early rock photography has meant to so many people, but experiencing it first-hand throughout the world has been an eye-opener. I am blessed to have been able to record such a significant moment in history."

Grace Slick

Wolman returns to the U.S. with scheduled appearances in Austin, TX (Texas Book Festival, Oct. 22-23), and his native San Francisco (Dec. 4), where he not only witnessed so much of what is doubtless the most important period of change in popular music and popular culture, but helped shape it through his iconic shots from rock's most fertile era. Wolman also is scheduled to visit Europe in November to sign books and exhibit his rock photography in London and Rotterdam. More dates will be announced soon.

Pete Townshend

Rolling Stone magazine encapsulated and distilled the most noteworthy events and changes as they were taking place. Each issue would speak to this evolving youth culture in a language that was all its own.

For years Wolman has been asked to talk about the photos, how they came to be, and what happened on assignment at the various shoots. This book answers those questions and more. Grateful that he and his camera were around at a seminal time in the history of the music business and popular culture, THE ROLLING STONE YEARS is his "thank you" for the privilege.

"This is more than a photo book," says Wolman. "I hope people spend some time reading the text. We look at pictures and wonder how they came to be. Or we speculate a bit about the life of a photographer, especially one who has been on the front lines, the front lines of any subject, be it music, war, politics, etc. In my book I tried to provide a small window into that photographer's life and offer a few words about the origin of the photos."

Among the more than 200 images are a rail-thin, T-shirted Pete Townshend recording parts of Tommy at the piano; Frank Zappa posing on a tractor at an abandoned construction site near his home; and Pink Floyd (with Syd Barrett, who pretended to drop an acid sugar cube) posing on a Sausalito hotel fire escape on their first American visit.

"You can't plan for a career like mine," he says. "Yes, I chose to be a professional photographer but my tour of duty with Rolling Stone was a fortunate accident, a gift from the photo gods."

ABOUT BARON WOLMAN:

Baron Wolman was the first-ever photographer for Rolling Stone magazine. During his three year tenure at the magazine he captured some of the biggest names in music. Since leaving Rolling Stone in 1970 he has focused on such diverse subjects as authors, fashionistas, professional sports, airplanes and bridges. A qualified pilot, he has also published several widely-praised collections of aerial photography and continues to exhibit his work around the world today.

TOUR INFORMATION

THE 2011 "COSMIC WORLD BOOK TOUR"

Saturday, Oct. 22-Sunday, Oct. 23
Texas Book Festival
1st United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX

Sunday, November 6
V!P's Gallery
Van Vollenhovenstraat 15, 3016 BE
Rotterdam, Netherlands

Sunday, November 11
Lumas Gallery
50 Coduit Street
London, W1S 2YT

Sunday, December 4th, 7 pm.
Book Passage
1 Ferry Building
San Francisco, CA 94111

MORE DATES TO COME …

For author interviews, review copies and further press info, please contact …

Scott Segelbaum / Right Brain Agency

610.389.1807 / scott@rightbrainagency.com

Randy Alexander / Randex Communications

856.596.1410 / randex@randexpr.com

Online press kits with downloadable jpegs at www.randexpr.com

Amazon.com Widgets

IGGY STOOGES DKT/MC5 PHOTOS GUITARE EN SCENE FESTIVAL 2011

Posted: 04 Oct 2011 02:29 AM PDT

Woke up early this am and found a message from our friend Christian in France. He sent me a link to this Flicker page with a ton of photos from the Guitare en Scene (Guitar Festival) in France this past July 31. Iggy and The Stooges, DKT/MC5, and The Bellrays played. These photos are fantastic! You can see the photographs HERE

Read More on RK

DKT/MC5 KICKED IT OUT IN FRANCE

retro-the-best....

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Retro: Kimmer

Retro: Kimmer

[New post] Beware the Batman in 2013

Beware the Batman in 2013

[New post] Quick reviews: Hulk, Black Panther and X-Men

Quick reviews: Hulk, Black Panther and X-Men

Hulk #41

Black Panther #523.1

X-Men Schism #4 (of 5)

[New post] Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Clone troops embark on ‘Mercy Mission’

Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Clone troops embark on ‘Mercy Mission’

Clone Commander Wolffe and his battalion of troopers assist the disaster-stricken world of Aleen in an all-new episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Retro: Kimmer

Retro: Kimmer

Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Everyone 🎁

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Wednesday, October 5, 2011

New post on The Daily P.O.P.

New post on The Daily P.O.P.

Hulk #41

Black Panther #523.1

X-Men Schism #4 (of 5)

New post on The Daily P.O.P.

Clone Commander Wolffe and his battalion of troopers assist the disaster-stricken world of Aleen in an all-new episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars