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The CHIRP Blog
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Jody Stephens Edition
Today, let’s pay tribute to the drummer of the legendary cult power pop band Big Star. Jody Stephens was the only main stay, other than Alex Chilton, for every iteration of the band. And Jody brought some skills to the table. His work on “Oh My Soul” alone is enough to show how skilled he was, and he certainly influenced future drummers (I would guess Will Rigby of The dB’s learned a thing or two from those first two Big Star records). Jody helps keep the Big Star flame burning and works at Ardent Studios, where the band’s classic albums were recorded. I’d reckon if you stop by there when he was in, if he wasn’t recording some band, he’d probably show you around. Let’s salute Mr. Stephens by grabbing your iPod or MP3 player, hitting shuffle and sharing the first 10 songs that come up.
Kyle Whelliston writesRediscovering Our Record Collections: “Slanted and Enchanted” by Pavement
None of us get to choose when we turn 19 years old, that magical year when we're free from mandatory schooling, (hopefully) out of the house, and unburdened from the requirement to ask permission for the opportunity to enter the difficult matrix of actions and consequences. Nineteen hundred and ninety-one, I guess, was as good a time as any. That was "the year that punk broke", as some still call it, a major before-after landmark in the history of rock.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesWeekly Voyages: Friday 10/04 to Thursday 10/10
(Weekly Voyages is CHIRP Radio's listing of concerts in Chicago at select venues. Information about tickets can be obtained from the venues' Web sites. (Do you have corrections or updates for this list? Send us an e-mail.)
Friday October 4
DJ Premier, DJ Ready Red (Formerly of The Geto Boys), Steve Ali (of IllaNotix)
Abbey Pub 21+
Dan Vapid & The Cheats, Flamingo Nosebleed, The Turkletons, Calling all Cars
Beat Kitchen 9pm
The Features
Bottom Lounge 7pm
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Don Cornelius Edition
He was a journalist who came up with one of the most popular syndicated music programs ever, bringing soul, funk and hip hop stars to larger audiences. There had been tons of record hop shows on television, but none geared so specifically towards black music until Cornelius started up Soul Train here in Chicago, on WCIU-TV, Channel 26, in 1970. The show was an instant sensation, and within a year, Cornelius moved it to L.A. as it went national. He hosted the show until 1993, closing every show by saying "... and you can bet your last money, it's all gonna be a stone gas, honey! I'm Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!" Soul Train broke out beyond the African American community and became a trendsetting show, as everyone watched the Soul Train dancers (who included, briefly, future Chicago Bears great Walter Payton), the Soul Train Scramble Board and a lengthy list of great performers. Cornelius was the epitome of laid back cool, emphasizing a positive message and adding legitimacy to great music and a culture that wasn’t seen before on national TV. Let’s salute Don Cornelius by grabbing your iPod or MP3 player, hitting shuffle, and sharing the first 10 songs that come up.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesWeekly Voyages: Friday 09/27 to Thursday 10/03
(Weekly Voyages is CHIRP Radio's listing of concerts in Chicago at select venues. Information about tickets can be obtained from the venues' Web sites. (Do you have corrections or updates for this list? Send us an e-mail.)
Friday September 27
Meghan Saletta
Abbey Pub 9pm, 21+
Radical Something
Bottom Lounge 6pm,
Gold Fields, Rush Midnight
Double Door 8:30pm 21+
Feeling October's, Cavalier, Tigernite
Elbo Room 8pm 21+
The Hoyle Brothers
Empty Bottle 5:30pm, 21+
Meat Puppets, Enemy Planes, Vamos!
Empty Bottle 9pm, 21+
Snowmine, K. Serra, Taught Abroad
Hideout 01pm, 21+
Papadosio, EarthCry
House of Blues Chicago
Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, David Ramirez
Lincoln Hall 9pm, 18+
Prong, Iron Lung Corp, 16 Volt, Skrew, Hate Dept., Evil Mothers, Plague Bringer
Metro 6pm 18+
Balkano & Ethnic Dance Chicago
The Old Town School of Folk Music 8:30pm