STUMPTOWNBLOGGER

PAUL IS 77 TODAY

WAYNE NEWTON NOW PLAYING A LOUNGE IN VEGAS

Vegas legend Wayne Newton is now playing the Cleopatra Lounge in Caesars Palace. He was a huge sell out in major casino showrooms for decades.

PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS FEATURED IN NEW MOVIE

Quintin Tarantino’s new film, getting standing ovations at film festivals features four songs by The Raiders. This will be the big summer movie with Brad Pitt & Leonardo DiCaprio. The film is set in 1969. Can’t wait to see it. 

https://youtu.be/ELeMaP8EPAA

DOORS ON VENICE BEACH

BURT IS 91 TODAY

RANDY WEST REPORTING FROM HOLLYWOOD

Speaking of payola yesterday, here's the great scapegoat...

 

On this date in 1958, Rock and Roll's pioneer air personality, Alan Freed, was fired from WINS in NYC after being charged with inciting a riot at a rock concert. He was scapegoated for being the highest-profile promoter of "race music," to the mass audience. After he was fired, the charge was dropped.

 

But wait, there's more!

 

The ultimate indignity was suffered in the payola witch hunt. Freed was fired the following November from giant WABC for refusing to sign a letter that he never took payola from record promoters. He was found guilty of commercial bribery, while most others who were embroiled in the investigation were merely admonished. His career in ruins, Freed died penniless and hopelessly drunk in Los Angeles a few years later at age 43.

 

Why was Alan Freed scapegoated? Besides being high profile, he was not apologetic and humble, holding the investigating parties in obvious contempt. Although far more enmeshed in conflicts of interest, Dick Clark was respectful, effusive with apologies, presented as the picture of humility. 

 

Dick cooperated by divesting himself of over 30 different controversial business interests before appearing as a witness, and he had ABC's Leonard Goldenson quietly supporting him.

 

Lesson: Attitude counts

FRANKIE VALLI IS 85 TODAY

ENGELBERT IS 83 TODAY

WILLIE IS 86 TODAY! DURING THE 50’s HE WAS A DJ BY DAY AND PERFORMER AT NIGHT

HIS FINAL STOP IN STUMPTOWN