This week we finally learned the answer to that age-old lot question “Who’s got my pharmies?” Apparently they’re in a black 2004 Audi sedan piloted by a bearded redhead all hopped up on goofballs. Driving is no time for improvisation, Trey.
But there was a far more underreported story this week. It’s with my humble sadness to note that the world lost another legend this week: Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun died Thursday after spending his last few months in a coma. Ertegun had fallen while backstage at the October 29th Rolling Stones show at the Beacon Theater, suffering a brain injury as a result.
Ertegun was much more than That Guy From Ray. “As Atlantic Records grew from a small independent label into a major national music company, it became a stronghold both of soul, with Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding, and of rock, with the [Rolling] Stones, Led Zeppelin and Yes,” the New York Times wrote on Friday.
I must admit, I think one of his cooler contributions to Americana is often overlooked: Ertegun and his brother Nesuhi founded the New York Cosmos juggernaut that captured this country’s attention, albeit briefly, with Pele, Giorgio, Beckenbauer and a host of international superstars. That all seemed cool.
I’ve often said, if Booger from Revenge of the Nerds plays you in a movie about a blind piano player, you’re really doing something right. RIP Mr. Ertegun.
Now let’s take a look at what else went down on your girlfriend this week:
- On the day Live Phish released 12/29/97 to the consumer masses, Trey decided it was time to become a real rock star and get himself a mugshot — then we recapped The Day That Was on The Day After
- The constant barrage of reviews continued unabated: Felonious Monk served up some album-cover-quality photos from the Primus show in Sacramende, Hal Hansen hit the Garden for some Tenacious D, and I became a member of Big Sam’s Funky Nation
- Bonnaroo said “Call your dad from the road”: The festival will return to Tennessee the second week of June (no word on whether the hippies or hipsters will be more excited by the unannounced lineup)
- The Allman Brothers want to be your IT guy…wanna watch the shows from the comfort of your couch?
- Saturday Night Live gave everyone what they’ve been seeking for Christmas: actual comedy and a Dick in a Box
- Our regular departments need lovin’ too: The B List proclaimed the five best years of the Dead, Grousing The Aisles dug up the best podcasts and Pullin’ ‘Tubes erected a video sanctuary
On the run from Johnny Law…ain’t no trip to Cleveland. Nor Whitehall.
