Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

17-11-70

My brother from another mother during my days in Rock Radio was one Jim Murphy. We, along with a crew of intrepid radio innovators, helped propel an FM Rocker, 60 miles outside Downtown Chicago, into the Top 20 in that city's Arbitron ratings in the mid '80s...no small feat. We did it with irreverent style and an eclectic playlist that refused to play only hits. And yeah, a 50,000 watt blow-torch of a signal.

Jim reached out the other day with a photo from within his fridge. It was of a gallon of milk, stamped with the expiration date of 11-17-20. He asked if it rang a bell...and, it didn't until he said, "50 years ago?" And, it all came flooding back.

17-11-70 (in the British style of numeric dating) was the title of the live album from a then-emerging Elton John. His first album didn't elicit much attention in the States. His second, contained the hit "Your Song" and was released in April of 1970. In November of that year, he was touring in America and was offered the opportunity to play live on New York's WABC-FM (live concerts on the radio were a big deal before TV concert shows and, of course, the internet).

The live bootleg of that radio concert on WABC-FM is an amazing glimpse into what was to come. If you want some background to stave off today's Friday the 13th Blues, these 85 minutes are pretty cool. You'll get the crackle and pop from an old vinyl...but it's an audio snapshot from 50 years ago. Before his first single in America exploded.

During the concert, he talks about the release of the single from his last album, shares a song from his new album that had just been released two weeks prior as well as a song from a soundtrack to a film that was coming out in 1971. Fascinating how the music industry operated 50 years ago...and how Elton was playing everything. This live album was released on March 12, 1971. The soundtrack to "Friends" 12 days later. And then..."Madman Across the Water" seven and a half months later. It was an incredible burst of creativity.

Because there's no video from that WABC concert, we salute that moment on this Music Friday with this gem that was featured on "17-11-70" a few months earlier from a BBC-TV concert. This is "Burn Down the Mission."

And, Jim? We so gotta reconnect soon. And, thanks for the smile from your fridge.

Gaining a Broader Understanding

Last month, the President issued an Executive Order that would prohibit federal agencies from offering diversity, equity and inclusion training for government workers. In doing so, he called DEI initiatives "divisive" and "un-American."

I'm not sure how helping government workers better understand unintended bias and identify ways to open up opportunities for all is "un-American," but the American Society of Association Executives last week urged the Administration to rescind the directive, post haste.

Truly, the only people that believe that DEI programs are "divisive" are those that want a strict continuation of the status quo...a status quo that pretty much sucks. Which is one of the reasons we issued our position paper on Board Diversity in collaboration with Searchwide Global this summer.

It's also why you should consider the Travel Unity Summit October 21-23. The All-Access Pass is only $50 and offers sessions from some of the top names in travel accessibility and DEI, including Destination DC's Elliott Ferguson, Sports ETA's Al Kidd, HospitableMe's Billy Kolber and many more. And, there are a handful of sessions that are free, including the keynote from Travel Unity Executive Director Roni Weiss.

For more on the Travel Unity Summit, click HERE.

Eddie Van Halen

We lost two more names in the world of Music this week. Johnny Nash, often credited with bringing reggae to America, passed away at the age of 80 at his home in Houston. He had several hits over more than two decades...but his biggest was the lilting "I Can See Clearly Now."

But, the one that was the punch in the gut was the loss of rock innovator Eddie Van Halen. A self-taught guitarist who made many of his own instruments, Eddie's sound was immediately identifiable. And, with such an extensive catalogue of work, we have a lot of choices on this Music Friday.

Track 1, Side 1 of album 1 announced Eddie's arrival to the world.

It was the band's fourth album in which Eddie introduced keyboards to the VH sound. David Lee Roth once commented that Eddie played keys with his fists. "Jump" is one of their best videos, primarily because it shows Eddie as supremely confident and having a ball.

It's a horrible video...but it's proof that Eddie supplied the guitar solos (and, apparently, rearranged the bridge) in Michael Jackson's "Beat It" despite not being paid or credited.

Then there's this...the moment that Eddie and Sammy jammed at Farm Aid '85 that sealed the deal that produced the "Van Hagar" era.

And, we all slow down. When Eddie welcomed Diamond Dave back to again front the band, he looked tired...but his guitar work still sizzled on "Tattoo."

If you're pressed for time, just watch this compilation of greatness.

Rest now, Eddie...you blazed a trail that will never be forgotten.

The Lack of a Coherent Strategy

The global pandemic has laid bare the absolute lack of leadership across the globe that should cause us all to re-examine whether voting for an eloquent candidate produces qualified individuals to lead us.

Here in America, a President that was unable to grasp the enormity of the growing menace passed it off as nothing to worry about in the early days of the 'VID. And, whether you support or loathe the man, the President told us not to be concerned...and the power of the office lulled many into complacency when swift action was needed. We now pay the price for that faith.

Because of that lack of leadership at the top, States were the next line of leadership. Some addressed the pandemic aggressively. Others followed their President's lead. The resulting shitshow of uneven mitigation threatens us all.

One of the leaders in shutting down the virus was Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Many of us watched as he would announce lockdowns...and Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and others would rapidly follow. In the early days, Ohio was rocking it on the nation's behalf, stepping into the leadership void at the Federal level.

But, in recent days, the protocols that Ohio has employed have a lot of people scratching their heads. There is a lack of consistency and coherency in the ever changing rules businesses must follow. A recent op ed piece by Chelsie Thompson, President of Renaissance Performing Arts, called into question the inequity of the State's standing orders.

Strip Clubs are open (essential services, apparently?) but Performing Arts Centers are not? Casinos are open..but not live theatre? Bars featuring live music with hundreds of people, shoulder to shoulder, are OK but museums are not? It's as if the State believes Arts & Culture are inconsequential.

As Chelsie so eloquently said, "What we cannot accommodate is the continued confusion on what is and is not allowed to happen across the state, the obstinate refusal to acknowledge the presence and impact of our industry on Ohio’s economy, and the egregious double standard to which the arts are being subjected under the Responsible Restart plan."

Honestly...can we have leaders that work with epidemiologists to produce a coherent strategy? Is that too much to ask?

Yeah...it obviously is.

The Unnoticed Victims

All of Broadway shut its doors within days of the first usher testing positive for the VID. Many believe live theatre won't return until there is a vaccine.

We pine for the days we can once again experience live performance; to once again support actors on stages making us feel alive and sharing powerful truths about the human condition.

But, what about Playbill? That booklet that is thrust into your hand as you enter the theatre? Can it survive this crisis?

You gotta love CEO Phillip Birsh's take: “Playbill is 136 years old,” he tells Fast Company. “We’ve survived five depressions, 20 recessions, two world wars, terror attacks."

But...they've laid off half their staff. And, every day the theatres are dark is a day that Playbill isn't published.

Another unnoticed victim of this insidious disease.

What's Going On

It was 50 years ago this month that Marvin Gaye laid the vocal track for "What's Going On."

As Brian McCollum recently wrote in the Detroit Free Press, "racial tensions, police controversy, environmental anxieties, a globe on edge — they were the topics on the front burner when Gaye rebooted his musical career and took control of his creative vision inside Motown."

“There’s too many of you crying…there’s far too many of you dying."

Finished in the fall of 1970, Motown executives sat on the song until January, fearing it would be too controversial. Upon its ultimate release, it shot to Number 2 on the charts and sits at Number 4 on Rolling Stone's "Greatest Songs of All Time" list.

On this Music Friday, we ask again, "What's Going On."

And, this isolated vocal track will give you chills.

"You know we've got to find a way to bring some understanding here today."

Shakespeare on the Zoom

One of the delights in living in South Central Wisconsin is American Players Theatre. Shakespeare (and other classics) are performed each evening under the stars (and the bats) and weekend afternoons, on a stage nestled into a hillside near Spring Green (Frank Lloyd Wright's former Wisconsin haunt). It is one of the blessings we look forward to as Winter gives way to Spring, and Spring to Summer.

Alas, poor Yorick, there will be no outdoor season in this year of "the VID." But, that's not stopping APT from "playing in the woods" (albeit virtually). Tomorrow evening, they'll be performing "Julius Ceasar" via Zoom on Wisconsin Public Television and their own American Players Theatre Facebook page.

And yes, I know tomorrow is also the premiere of "Hamilton" on Disney+. Luckily, both will be available to stream on your schedule...and Wisconsin Public TV is waiving its geographic restrictions so anyone can see all of APT's Zoomy productions through July 26. 

Thanks APT...this will make this season's parting a far less sweet sorrow.

A Flower Grows

From the shattered glass and devastated dreams of so many small business owners...springs art, hope and love.

For those that have only seen the images of the looters (not the peaceful protestors) that destroyed Madison's beloved State Street, we offer these images from Downtown Madison, Inc. Local artists, leaving their message and love on the plywood that momentarily replaces the once vibrant storefront views.

A recent poll suggests 40% of these small businesses will be unable to reopen. We pray that will not be the case.

Kudos to Beth Skogen for the images.

Another Tough Week for American Culture

Another week, another farewell to artists that shaped our world. 

We lost Betty Wright, who is probably best known for "Clean Up Woman," but she nailed one I love even more..."No Pain, No Gain."

And then we lost Little Richard, called by some the "architect of Rock n Roll." He once said he never said that...but he agreed that he was. Indeed, Paul McCartney patterned his falsetto after Little Richard. 

On this Music Friday, we salute them both and share an early Little Richard TV appearance and a performance at Muhammad Ali's 50th Birthday Celebration.

You both influenced the music and culture of our world.

Godspeed. 

Non-Essential My Ass

Calling any business non-essential is an insult. Every business is essential to someone...just not to people within government who claim to know better than the rest of us.

Take, for example, a drive-in movie business in New Jersey; the only one in the State. It was rolled up in the decree that found movie theatres non-essential. But, wouldn't a drive-in theatre be among the safest of environments?

The owners of the Delsea in Vineyard NJ have pleaded their case to every level of government (including the Governor) with nothing but crickets in response.

Really...why must it be this hard to understand that blanket orders are often not the appropriate response (only the easy one)?