007 - THE NUMBER OF THE YEAR

   

Howdy Hamilton...

   

Wow...I just got back from the shopping frenzy with Alex, my girlfriend's son, and its chaos out there.  This whole ordeal of going in and out of stores is like a rash.  More importantly, I look at the faces of these poor helpless men, who are trapped into the shopping labyrinthes, and they do not want to be anywhere near a store.  But, on a happier note, both Alex and I hit 8 different locations in 2 hours and 10 minutes. Not to brag, but I mean 8 different locations by car in that time frame!!!!  I do believe that this could be the proto-type to the "HOW TO SHOP IF YOU ARE A DUDE" booklet.  I have done quite a bit of shopping at music and book stores and the line ups are MINIMAL!!!!

   

So, looking back at 2007, there were some very interesting personal hi-lites for yours truly.  Names like Richard Lloyd, Cheetah Chrome, David Thomas and Pere Ubu, Peter Case, Club Absinthe, Lionshead Pub, Audience, Lori Yates, High Voltage, The Orphans, Manolis Zantonis, Nick Blagona, and Howard Kaylan were certainly the peaks of the summit.  In between all of these names were many outstanding shows, moments of happiness, and unfortunately less elated times.

   

Outstanding in its own field is JAMILTON.  Tom Hogue from the Hamilton Spectator contacted me in the summer of 06 and asked if I would be interested in being a Blog Author for the newly created JAMILTON website.  I was excited to share rock n roll stories with all of you, and sharing a column with Gord Lewis has its own pats on the back.  At times, I must be honest with you and let all of you know that spilling my words on this site is therapeutic. It puts perspective in to who I am, and as to why I continue being a musical nut. 

   

I look forward to year 2008, and I will continue to fill the voids with stories about interesting Rock N Roll shows, personalities, and trials. 

   

For an example, I have been chatting with Albert Bouchard
from the infamous Rock N Roll band BLUE OYSTER CULT.  I am excited about having Albert over for a visit in the spring time of 2008.  I had the HUGE pleasure of meeting him and chatting his ear off back in the spring of 2006 when I hosted a show with the Brain Surgeons.  This band also included Ross The Boss on guitar.  How cool, eh?????

 

So, being a big BOC fan, I was excited to speak with Albert, and since then, we have been keeping in touch.  As of late, there have been very impressive BOC re-issues with great liner notes from the one and only, Lenny Kaye. Blue Oyster Cult has always been tagged as the "INTELLIGENT MAN'S ROCK N ROLL BAND".  I am not too sure of that quote because I am a fan, and in no way am I a brainiac! - In all seriousness, BOC have been a hard rock institution that marries lyrics, melodies, riffs, and coolness into many impressive songs.  Many of you may not know this, but Albert was the principal songwriter for BOC, and a luminary poet. 

   

Personally, I always looked at BOC as WA - BOC (With Albert/Blue Oyster Cult) and AA - BOC (After Albert/Blue Oyster Cult).  The band was never the same without Albert. 

   

In any event, once the T's are all crossed, and all the I's are dotted, then you will be the first to know all the details pertaining to Albert Bouchard's visit into Canada.

   

Before I forget, C101.5 FM will be celebrating their 10th anniversary and there will be a huge bash in March 2008 to make it legit.  All the details will be posted here shortly.  I host a Rock N Roll radio show every Wednesday between 12:30pm - 6pm on C101.5 FM.  Please tune in and enjoy.

   

Finally, I want to wish all of you the best during the holiday season.  Be kind to each other, and fuck all the hatred.  Life is too short and too sweet to despise.

   

There will be plenty of surprises of this Molinaro sleeve.  Stay Tuned!

   

Lou Molinaro
(Photo: Albert Bouchard of Blue Oyster Cult)