So here you have it. A collection of some of my favorite links from this week.
Rolling Stone: Jim Morrison Ghost
Bangstyle: 10 Best Films Never Made
The New Yorker: The Lure of the Fairy Tale
Rolling Stone: The 10 Coolest Summer Albums
The New Yorker: "The Clock" Returns to New York
Rolling Stone: Previously Unseen Bob Dylan Lyrics from 1965
The New York Times: Aziz Ansari, Voice of the People
Twitter: Conde Nast Elevator
Tumblr: Rich Kids of Instagram
The New York Times: At the Olympics, Women's Time to Shine
The New Yorker: The Massacre in Aurora: Can You Blame the Movies
Glamour: Barbie's Wedding Photos (No, Really)
As always, click the doobli-doo on the right and follow my blog!
Oh, and don't forget to leave some comments. I'd love to see what you've been checkin' out on the internet lately.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
The Guerrilla Girls
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| The Guerrilla Girls |
They formed in 1985, as a response to the Museum of Modern Art's exhibition "An International Survey of Recent Painting and Sculpture," which showcased work by 169 artists. However, out of those 169 artists, only 17 were women. The curator's press release for the exhibition stated: "Any artist who is not in my show should rethink his career." The founding Guerrilla Girls spoke out against the curator's statement by placing posters throughout SoHo. Ironically, their posters are now on display at the museum they originally protested.
Early organizing was based around group evaluation of statistical data gathered regarding gender inequality within the New York City art world. An example of data gathered by the group included the "penis count," where members would go to institutions, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and count the male to female subject ratio in artworks. The data gathered from the Met's public collections in 1985 showed that only 5% of the subjects were women, and that 83% of the women depicted were nude. Data like this formed the basis for protests - both verbally and visually. The group also kept "report cards" about organizations, galleries and critics featuring this data.
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| Example of the Guerrilla Girls Report Cards |
However, the Guerrilla Girls had their fair share of critics, too. One even stated, “why do they have to wear such ugly things like gorilla masks, why can't they wear Cinderella masks?”
Membership in the New York City group is by invite only, and is based on relationships with current and past members, and one's involvement in contemporary art world. Due to the lack of formality, the group is comfortable with individuals outside of their base claiming to be Guerrilla Girls. One Guerrilla Girl stated in a 2007 interview that "it can only enhance us by having people of power who have been given credit for being a Girl, even if they were never a Girl." Men are not allowed to become Guerrilla Girls, but may support the group by assisting in promotional activities.
Guerrilla Girls generally take on pseudonyms based on dead and/or forgotten female artists. Members go by names such as Alma Thomas, Rosalba Carriera, Frida Kahlo, Julia de Borgos, and Hannah Hoch. By using pseudonyms, they are able to pay homage to, and remember, female artists.
Though the art world has made quite a bit of progress since the Guerrilla Girls formation in 1985, it's still a work in progress. Women artists working today still earn less than what most male artists earn, and working women in general earn about 77.4% of a man's salary.
Since 2000, only 14% of the Guggenheim's solo shows of living artists have been devoted to women. Only 8% of the work exhibited by the Museum of Modern Art is by women. Only about 23% of solo gallery shows at top New York sites feature pieces by female artists. Women are also consistently only 15% of the names on Artforum‘s, Art + Auction‘s, and ArtReview‘s annual “power lists.”
80% of students at the School of Visual Arts are female. However, in the real world, galleries and museums are dominated by male artists, as 70 to 80% of work displayed is usually by male artists.
Now I'm going to get off my feminist soapbox, and let you do your own independent research! As always, feel free to comment or contact me with any questions. Sorry it took me so long to get the post up, I've been having some problems with my internet.
"There is still an institutional lag and an insistence on a male Eurocentric narrative. We are trying to change the future: to get girls and boys to realize that women's art is not an exception—it's a normal part of art history."
Judy Chicago, Artist
Since 2000, only 14% of the Guggenheim's solo shows of living artists have been devoted to women. Only 8% of the work exhibited by the Museum of Modern Art is by women. Only about 23% of solo gallery shows at top New York sites feature pieces by female artists. Women are also consistently only 15% of the names on Artforum‘s, Art + Auction‘s, and ArtReview‘s annual “power lists.”
80% of students at the School of Visual Arts are female. However, in the real world, galleries and museums are dominated by male artists, as 70 to 80% of work displayed is usually by male artists.
Now I'm going to get off my feminist soapbox, and let you do your own independent research! As always, feel free to comment or contact me with any questions. Sorry it took me so long to get the post up, I've been having some problems with my internet.
"There is still an institutional lag and an insistence on a male Eurocentric narrative. We are trying to change the future: to get girls and boys to realize that women's art is not an exception—it's a normal part of art history."
Judy Chicago, Artist
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Trainspotting: Netflix Edition
Netflix, though great for watching Dawson's Creek and catching up on Gossip Girl (both of which I have done,) is also home to a lot of wonderful movies that are often overlooked.
Until now, that is.
Here with yet another installment, I have come to rescue you from your Netflix rut.
Trainspotting is a 1996 British film directed by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours.) The film follows a group of heroin addicts in the 1980's living in an economically depressed part of Edinburgh, Scotland.
The film was ranked number 10 by the British Film Institute in its list of Top 100 British films of all time. In 2004 the film was voted the best Scottish film of all time in a general public poll.
Trainspotting is based on the novel of the same name by Irvine Welsh, and stars Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle and Kelly Macdonald.
Irvine Welsh once stated in a Q&A that the title is a reference to people thinking that the act of trainspotting makes no sense. Irvine says he feels the same about heroin addicts. To non-addicts the act seems pointless. However if you take heroin, it makes absolute sense.
Mark Renton, played by Ewan McGregor, is a young man with few prospects and ambitions. Like most of his friends, Renton is a heroin addict who loves the drug's blissful oblivion. Financing his habit also provides excitement that his life otherwise lacks. Renton's two best friends are Sick Boy, played by Jonny Lee Miller, a well dressed James Bond lover, and Spud, played by Ewan Bremner, a naive but lovable nerd. Renton and his pals also hang out with Begbie, played by Robert Carlyle, a borderline psychotic who loathes junkies though he drinks like a fish. After one too many brushes with the law, Renton kicks his heroin habit and moves to London, where he finds a job, a flat, and something close to sanity. However, Sick Boy, Begbie, and Spud all arrive at his doorstep one day, leading Renton back into a life of drugs and crime.
In order to prepare for the role, McGregor read numerous books on crack and heroin addiction. In fact, he was even taught how to cook up heroin with a spoon using glucose powder. McGregor even considered injecting heroin to better understand the character, but eventually decided against it. Probably a good idea in the long run. Director Danny Boyle had them all prepare for the film by making them watch other movies about rebellious youths, such as The Hustler, The Exorcist and A Clockwork Orange. Danny Boyle pays direct tribute to A Clockwork Orange in the scene set at the Volcano nightclub, which is very similar to that set in the Milk Bar in Kubrick's film. In fact, the track playing in the Volcano club is by Heaven 17, who took their name from A Clockwork Orange.
Upon its initial release in the United States, the first 20 minutes of Trainspotting were re-edited with alternative dialogue to allow the American audience to comprehend the strong Scottish accents and slang. Its release sparked much controversy as to whether it promoted drug use or not. U.S. Senator Bob Dole accused it of moral depravity and glorifying drug use during the 1996 U.S. presidential campaign. However, he later admitted that he had never actually seen the film.
I highly suggest you add Trainspotting to your Instant Queue. The film is a fantastic mix of fantasty and reality, and its bright colors and driving soundtrack deliver a potent kick. Though defended by some as anti-drug and attacked by others as pro-drug, I do not believe the film is either. Trainspotting takes a realistic look at the exhausting and unruly life of a drug addict, and the two things that make a bearable.
You can view the trailer for the film below.
Until now, that is.
Here with yet another installment, I have come to rescue you from your Netflix rut.
Trainspotting is a 1996 British film directed by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours.) The film follows a group of heroin addicts in the 1980's living in an economically depressed part of Edinburgh, Scotland.
The film was ranked number 10 by the British Film Institute in its list of Top 100 British films of all time. In 2004 the film was voted the best Scottish film of all time in a general public poll.
Trainspotting is based on the novel of the same name by Irvine Welsh, and stars Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle and Kelly Macdonald.
Irvine Welsh once stated in a Q&A that the title is a reference to people thinking that the act of trainspotting makes no sense. Irvine says he feels the same about heroin addicts. To non-addicts the act seems pointless. However if you take heroin, it makes absolute sense.
Mark Renton, played by Ewan McGregor, is a young man with few prospects and ambitions. Like most of his friends, Renton is a heroin addict who loves the drug's blissful oblivion. Financing his habit also provides excitement that his life otherwise lacks. Renton's two best friends are Sick Boy, played by Jonny Lee Miller, a well dressed James Bond lover, and Spud, played by Ewan Bremner, a naive but lovable nerd. Renton and his pals also hang out with Begbie, played by Robert Carlyle, a borderline psychotic who loathes junkies though he drinks like a fish. After one too many brushes with the law, Renton kicks his heroin habit and moves to London, where he finds a job, a flat, and something close to sanity. However, Sick Boy, Begbie, and Spud all arrive at his doorstep one day, leading Renton back into a life of drugs and crime.
In order to prepare for the role, McGregor read numerous books on crack and heroin addiction. In fact, he was even taught how to cook up heroin with a spoon using glucose powder. McGregor even considered injecting heroin to better understand the character, but eventually decided against it. Probably a good idea in the long run. Director Danny Boyle had them all prepare for the film by making them watch other movies about rebellious youths, such as The Hustler, The Exorcist and A Clockwork Orange. Danny Boyle pays direct tribute to A Clockwork Orange in the scene set at the Volcano nightclub, which is very similar to that set in the Milk Bar in Kubrick's film. In fact, the track playing in the Volcano club is by Heaven 17, who took their name from A Clockwork Orange.
Upon its initial release in the United States, the first 20 minutes of Trainspotting were re-edited with alternative dialogue to allow the American audience to comprehend the strong Scottish accents and slang. Its release sparked much controversy as to whether it promoted drug use or not. U.S. Senator Bob Dole accused it of moral depravity and glorifying drug use during the 1996 U.S. presidential campaign. However, he later admitted that he had never actually seen the film.
I highly suggest you add Trainspotting to your Instant Queue. The film is a fantastic mix of fantasty and reality, and its bright colors and driving soundtrack deliver a potent kick. Though defended by some as anti-drug and attacked by others as pro-drug, I do not believe the film is either. Trainspotting takes a realistic look at the exhausting and unruly life of a drug addict, and the two things that make a bearable.
You can view the trailer for the film below.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Rainy Dayz
Ohio has been experiencing quite a few rainy days recently, so I thought I would put together a little mix of what I've been listening to while driving around town in the rain.
And yes, there is ONE Lana Del Ray song in the mix.
ONE.
For anyone who knows me, I am coming off as a total hypocrite right now. Yes, I am aware of how much I complain about her. I mean, she always sounds like she's pouting. And not in a sexy way, in a "oh my god your too old to be whining like that" kind of way. But I don't care. It's catchy.
Kind of like the flu...
Anyways, enjoy the tunes, and be sure to catch up on all of my recent posts! There are some pretty good ones up right now.
As always, please follow me and comment on my posts. I'd love to hear feedback from you guys! I'm always looking for good advice and constructive criticism.
And yes, I said constructive. Please don't berate me for any typos or the type of font I use.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Woody at 100
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| Musician Woody Guthrie |
This month, musician Woody Guthrie would have turned 100. Though his music is probably not everyone's cup of tea, I don't care. I'm going to talk about him anyways. After all, this is my blog. Not yours.
Woody Guthrie was an American singer-songwriter and folk musician, best known for his political songs and traditional ballads. Guthrie also wrote many children's songs, and was capable of writing in almost any style.
During the Dust Bowl, Guthrie travelled from Oklahoma to California with a group of migrant workers, where he learned to play traditional folk and blues songs. As a result, many of his songs were about his experiences during the Dust Bowl era of the Great Depression. This earned him the nickname the "Dust Bowl Troubadour." In fact, if you know anything about Woody Guthrie, it's probably from studying John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath, a novel about a family of migrant workers traveling from Oklahoma to California during the Dust Bowl.
His best-known song is probably "This Land Is Your Land," which is often misinterpreted as an incredibly patriotic song. Though it was about the beauty of traveling throughout the United States, Guthrie is quick to point out its downfalls. In fact, before its release, Guthrie removed two verses from the famous song, verses 4 and 6. The verses read:
"There was a high wall there
That tried to stop me
A sign was painted that said "Private Property"
But on the other side it didn't say nothin'
That side was made for you and me"
"In the squares of the city
In the shadow of a steeple
By the relief office
I'd seen my people
As they stood there hungry
I stood there asking
Is this land made for you and me?"
Famous for regularly performing with the slogan "This Machine Kills Fascists" displayed on his guitar, Guthrie was also a member of the Almanac Singers, a folk-protest group. Initially, Guthrie helped write and sing what the Almanac Singers called "peace" songs. While the Nazi-Soviet Pact was in effect, the Communist line was that World War II was a capitalist fraud. However, after Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union, the group wrote anti-fascist songs. The members of the Almanac Singers and residents of the Almanac House were a loosely defined group of musicians, though the 'core' members included Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Millard Lampell and Lee Hays. In keeping with common socialist ideals, meals, chores and rent at the Almanac House were shared.
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| The Almanac Singers |
Sadly, by the late 1940's, Guthries health was deteriorating, and his behavior became extremely erratic. Eventually, he was diagnosed with Huntington's Disease, a genetic disorder he inherited from his mother. Guthrie's condition worsened, and he became increasingly unable to control his muscles. From 1956 to 1961 he was hospitalized at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in New York, and was then transferred to Brooklyn State Hospital until 1966. Finally, he was moved to Creedmore Psychiatric Center until his death in 1967 at the age of 55.
Guthrie served as a figurehead during the American Folk Revival in the 1960's (which deserves an entire blog post of its own.) Folk revivalists were increasingly more aware of their political surroundings, and focused on issues of the times, such as the Civil Rights Movement and the Free Speech Movement.
Many folk revivalists grew to idolize Guthrie. One day, during his stay at Greystone, Guthrie was visited by a 19 year old Bob Dylan. After learning of Guthrie's whereabouts, Dylan visited him regularly.
Guthrie was said to have had his good days and his bad days. On the good days, Dylan would sing songs to him, and Guthrie seemed warm to Dylan. On the bad days, Guthrie would berate Dylan. Apparently, on Dylan's last visit, Guthrie did not recognize him at all.
Guthries illness was mostly untreated, due to the lack of information about the genetic disorder. However, his death helped raise awareness of the disease and led to the formation of the Huntington's Disease Society of America.
Dylan later went on to write a song in tribute of Guthrie, titled "Song to Woody."
Musicians such as Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, Joe Strummer, John Lennon, and Jeff Tweedy have all acknowledged Guthrie as a major influence.
Although most Americans today couldn't name more than few songs by Woody Guthrie, his influence is undeniable. Even if you have never heard of Woody Guthrie, I encourage you to listen to some of his music. Even if you don't like folk music. Guthrie is an important part of American musical history, and his legacy lives on today.
Guthrie served as a figurehead during the American Folk Revival in the 1960's (which deserves an entire blog post of its own.) Folk revivalists were increasingly more aware of their political surroundings, and focused on issues of the times, such as the Civil Rights Movement and the Free Speech Movement.
Many folk revivalists grew to idolize Guthrie. One day, during his stay at Greystone, Guthrie was visited by a 19 year old Bob Dylan. After learning of Guthrie's whereabouts, Dylan visited him regularly.
Guthrie was said to have had his good days and his bad days. On the good days, Dylan would sing songs to him, and Guthrie seemed warm to Dylan. On the bad days, Guthrie would berate Dylan. Apparently, on Dylan's last visit, Guthrie did not recognize him at all.
Guthries illness was mostly untreated, due to the lack of information about the genetic disorder. However, his death helped raise awareness of the disease and led to the formation of the Huntington's Disease Society of America.
Dylan later went on to write a song in tribute of Guthrie, titled "Song to Woody."
Musicians such as Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, Joe Strummer, John Lennon, and Jeff Tweedy have all acknowledged Guthrie as a major influence.
Although most Americans today couldn't name more than few songs by Woody Guthrie, his influence is undeniable. Even if you have never heard of Woody Guthrie, I encourage you to listen to some of his music. Even if you don't like folk music. Guthrie is an important part of American musical history, and his legacy lives on today.
I've decided to end my blog post with a little quote. Guthrie could write a better conclusion than me.
"I hate a song that makes you think that you are not any good. I hate a song that makes you think that you are just born to lose. Bound to lose. No good to nobody. No good for nothing. Because you are too old or too young or too fat or too slim too ugly or too this or too that. Songs that run you down or poke fun at you on account of your bad luck or hard traveling.
I am out to fight those songs to my very last breath of air and my last drop of blood. I am out to sing songs that will prove to you that this is your world and that if it has hit you pretty hard and knocked you for a dozen loops, no matter what color, what size you are, how you are built.
I am out to sing the songs that make you take pride in yourself and in your work."
Guthrie on songwriting
Happy 100, Woody.
"I hate a song that makes you think that you are not any good. I hate a song that makes you think that you are just born to lose. Bound to lose. No good to nobody. No good for nothing. Because you are too old or too young or too fat or too slim too ugly or too this or too that. Songs that run you down or poke fun at you on account of your bad luck or hard traveling.
I am out to fight those songs to my very last breath of air and my last drop of blood. I am out to sing songs that will prove to you that this is your world and that if it has hit you pretty hard and knocked you for a dozen loops, no matter what color, what size you are, how you are built.
I am out to sing the songs that make you take pride in yourself and in your work."
Guthrie on songwriting
Happy 100, Woody.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Sunday Link Collection
A collection of some of my favorite links this week...
Rolling Stone: Best Albums of 2012 So Far
The New Yorker: What We Can Learn From the Reporting of the Health-Care Decision
Flavorwire: Brutally Honest Posters for Summer Blockbusters
Nylon: Fully Functional Mermaid Tail
The New Yorker: Five Key TED Talks
Rolling Stone: Fleetwood Mac to Reunite in 2013
The New Yorker: Inappropriate Literary Products
Flavorwire: Survey of Awkward Couples in Art History
Vanity Fair: Hollywood's Embrace of Off-Beat Heroines
Rolling Stone: Vampire Weekend Debut New Song
Photojojo: Creative Ways to Use a Disposable Camera
Rolling Stone: Women Who Rock
Nylon: Arrested Development Art
Flavorwire: The Rudest Letters from Celebrities to their Fans
Chicago Sun-Times: 88 Books that Shaped America
LA Weekly: Old Records are Outselling New Ones
Flavorwire: The Favorite Films of 10 Famous Actors
Dangerous Minds: Behind the Scenes of 'A Clockwork Orange'
Rolling Stone: Best Albums of 2012 So Far
The New Yorker: What We Can Learn From the Reporting of the Health-Care Decision
Flavorwire: Brutally Honest Posters for Summer Blockbusters
Nylon: Fully Functional Mermaid Tail
The New Yorker: Five Key TED Talks
Rolling Stone: Fleetwood Mac to Reunite in 2013
The New Yorker: Inappropriate Literary Products
Flavorwire: Survey of Awkward Couples in Art History
Vanity Fair: Hollywood's Embrace of Off-Beat Heroines
Rolling Stone: Vampire Weekend Debut New Song
Photojojo: Creative Ways to Use a Disposable Camera
Rolling Stone: Women Who Rock
Nylon: Arrested Development Art
Flavorwire: The Rudest Letters from Celebrities to their Fans
Chicago Sun-Times: 88 Books that Shaped America
LA Weekly: Old Records are Outselling New Ones
Flavorwire: The Favorite Films of 10 Famous Actors
Dangerous Minds: Behind the Scenes of 'A Clockwork Orange'
Fifty Years of Stones
Legendary rock band the Rolling Stones recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. Currently composed of Ronnie Wood, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts, the band played their first concert 50 years ago at London's Marquee Club on July 12, 1962. In honor of this momentous occasion, I decided to put together a little post detailing the bands most infamous, controversial and memorable moments.
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| The perfect example of the bands iconic style |
Pop Stars and Drugs
Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and former guitarist Brain Jones began to be hounded by authorities over their recreational drug use in early 1967, after News of the World ran a three-part feature entitled "Pop Stars and Drugs: Facts That Will Shock You." The series described alleged LSD parties hosted by The Moody Blues and attended by top stars including The Who's Pete Townshend and Cream's Ginger Baker, and alleged admissions of drug use by leading pop musicians. The first article targeted Donovan (who was raided and charged soon after;) the second installment (published on February 5) targeted the Rolling Stones. A reporter who contributed to the story spent an evening at the exclusive London club Blaise's, where a member of the Rolling Stones allegedly took several Benzedrine tablets, displayed a piece of hashish and invited his companions back to his flat for a "smoke." The article claimed that this was Mick Jagger. However, it turned out to be a case of mistaken identity—the reporter had in fact been eavesdropping on Brian Jones. On the night the article was published Jagger appeared on the Eamonn Andrews chat show and announced that he was filing a writ for libel against the paper.
Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and former guitarist Brain Jones began to be hounded by authorities over their recreational drug use in early 1967, after News of the World ran a three-part feature entitled "Pop Stars and Drugs: Facts That Will Shock You." The series described alleged LSD parties hosted by The Moody Blues and attended by top stars including The Who's Pete Townshend and Cream's Ginger Baker, and alleged admissions of drug use by leading pop musicians. The first article targeted Donovan (who was raided and charged soon after;) the second installment (published on February 5) targeted the Rolling Stones. A reporter who contributed to the story spent an evening at the exclusive London club Blaise's, where a member of the Rolling Stones allegedly took several Benzedrine tablets, displayed a piece of hashish and invited his companions back to his flat for a "smoke." The article claimed that this was Mick Jagger. However, it turned out to be a case of mistaken identity—the reporter had in fact been eavesdropping on Brian Jones. On the night the article was published Jagger appeared on the Eamonn Andrews chat show and announced that he was filing a writ for libel against the paper.
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| Keith Richards and Marianne Faithful |
In their few million years on Earth, the Rolling Stones have inspired a bottomless pit of myths and legends. However, nothing quite matches the infamous case of the pornographic Mars Bar. Marianne Faithfull was a folk singer with aristocratic roots in the Habsburg family dynasty when she met the members of England's newest hitmakers through their manager, Andrew Loog Oldham. Her first pop hit was a version of the Stones' 'As Tears Go By,' and she was soon a key figure on the Swinging London scene. Though she married in 1965, she was determined to call one of the Stones her own. On a getaway weekend with friends at Keith Richards' estate in Sussex, England, Richards and Mick Jagger were arrested in a police raid. During the bust, Faithfull, who had just emerged from a bath, was wrapped in an orange fur bedspread. She later acknowledged briefly flashing the police for her own amusement. Sometime before the trial, a rumor began to spread that the police had barged in and caught Jagger with his head between Faithfull's legs, munching on a curiously placed Mars Bar. Its genesis most likely stemmed from the police report, which apparently featured details of Richards' secret stash of sweets. Faithfull dismissed the story of the abused chocolate bar in her 1994 autobiography. "The Mars Bar was a very effective piece of demonizing," she wrote. "It was far too jaded for any of us even to have conceived of. It's a dirty old man's fantasy -- some old fart who goes to a dominatrix every Thursday afternoon to get spanked. A cop's idea of what people do on acid!" Still, the rumor persists. Meanwhile, Mars Bars are now marketed in Europe with the slogan "Pleasure you can't measure" (yes, I'm being serious.)
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| The Rolling Stones performing at Altamont Speedway |
Headlined and organized by the Rolling Stones, the Altamont Speedway Free Festival also featured Santana, Jefferson Airplane, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, with the Rolling Stones taking the stage as the final act. The Grateful Dead were also scheduled to perform, but declined to play shortly before their scheduled appearance due to the increasing violence at the venue. Approximately 300,000 people attended the concert, and some anticipated that it would be a "Woodstock West." The event is best known for having been marred by considerable violence, including one homicide and three accidental deaths: two caused by a hit-and-run car accident and one by drowning in an irrigation canal. Four births were reported during the event, as well. The Hells Angels were hired as security for the event, on the recommendation of the Grateful Dead (who had previously used the Angels for security at performances without incident), for $500 worth of beer — a story that has been denied by parties who were directly involved. Although peaceful at first, over the course of the day the mood of both the crowd and the Angels became progressively agitated, intoxicated and violent. The Angels had been drinking their free beer all day in front of the stage, and most were drunk. Fueled by LSD and amphetamines, the crowd had also become antagonistic and unpredictable, attacking each other, the Angels, and the performers. By the time the Rolling Stones took stage in the early evening, the mood had taken a decidedly ugly turn as numerous fights had erupted between Angels and crowd members and within the crowd itself. The Angels proceeded to arm themselves with sawn-off pool cues and motorcycle chains to drive the crowd further back from the stage. During the third song of the Stones' set, "Sympathy for the Devil," a fight erupted in the front of the crowd. After a lengthy pause and an appeal for calm, the band restarted the song and continued their set with no incident. That is, until the start of "Under My Thumb." Some of the Hells Angels got into a scuffle with Meredith Hunter, age 18, when he attempted to get onstage with other fans. One of the Hells Angels grabbed Hunter's head, punched him, and chased him back into the crowd. At that point, Hunter returned to the stage where Hunter's girlfriend Patty Bredahoff found him and tearfully begged him to calm down and move further back in the crowd with her. However, he was reportedly enraged, irrational and so high he could barely walk. Video footage shows Hunter drawing a long-barreled revolver from his jacket, and Hells Angel Alan Passaro, armed with a knife, running at Hunter from the side, grabbing the gun with his left hand and stabbing him with his right. Passaro is reported to have stabbed Hunter five times in the upper back. Witnesses also reported Hunter was stomped on by several Hells Angels while he was on the ground. The Rolling Stones were aware of the skirmish, but not the stabbing, and felt that had they abandoned the show, the crowd may have become even more unruly. The Altamont concert is often contrasted with the Woodstock festival that took place less than four months earlier. While Woodstock represented "peace and love," Altamont came to be viewed as the end of the hippie era and the conclusion of late-1960s American youth culture. "Altamont became, whether fairly or not, a symbol for the death of the Woodstock Nation."
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| Keith Richards |
New Blood for Keith
The tale goes that Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards underwent a radical blood replacement treatment in order to clean up after a particularly bad period of heroin use (not one of the many light, breezy heroin addictions you hear of.) The treatment involved a kind premature enbalming, where the old, polluted blood was taken out of the body and replaced with new, clean blood. Among the many rock icons, it is hard to imagine someone who embodies the spirit of sex, drugs and rock n' roll more than Keith Richards. So when the story that he had undergone treatment before the Stones 1973 European tour first surfaced, it did not help that he himself told a journalist that the rumours were in fact true. "I was just fooling around,” he admitted, years later. “I was fucking sick of answering that question.” In reality, it seems it was true that he did undergo some haemodialysis, which can filter some impurities from the blood. Richard’s tendency for toying with the media has since been realized. However, the media learned the hard way, after much of the world press printed stories of him mixing his fathers ashes with cocaine and snorting it. Richards came forward soon after, and it has since been regarded as a joke by the rock legend. It seems that if the guitarist does have any vampiric tendencies, he sure as hell didn't smoke his fathers ashes. However, the myths will continue to add up while he appears to be one of the dead, yet continues to have a fuller night life than most. |
| The Rolling Stones Iconic Tongue Logo |
Mick Jagger's Pouty Pucker
A Rolling Stones Fan Museum in Lüchow, Germany angered many locals over the design of their urinals, which were based on the band's famous lips logo. Apparently, some people just weren't comfortable doing their business into a giant, open mouth. While the lips-and-tongue design was reportedly based on frontman Mick Jagger's pouty pucker, the controversy over the urinals stems from the fact that the tongue is excluded from the design. Without it, according to opposers, the piece becomes misogynistic. Many feminists believed that the piece discriminated against women, and that, had the fixtures sported a tongue, the connection to Jagger would have been unmistakable. Apparently, without it, it becomes a woman's mouth, not a man's mouth. Museum founder Ulrich Schroeder, meanwhile, denied that it was specifically a man or woman's mouth, and has no plans on altering the men's room set-up.  |
| The remaining Rolling Stones (from left to right,) Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Charlie Watts |
Regardless of the controversy they faced, the Rolling Stones continue to create fantastic music and have opened doors for generations of rock and pop musicians. They are truly rock legends, and I have no doubt they will continue to create and perform.
Congrats, Stones. Here's to many more years of disturbing sex acts, blood transfusions, and fantastic music.
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