Michael Jackson or Prince fan? Which are you?

For music fans in the 1980s & 1990s, you were either a Michael Jackson fan or a Prince fan. You couldn’t really be both and it really was a case of “Never the twain shall meet”!!

For the Record Press author it wasn’t a difficult decision – I fell easily into the Prince camp, culminating in seeing him in concert princeat Olympia, Earls Court in London in 1992. It’s a night that will stay with me thanks to the brilliance of Prince and the fact that I took as my guest the daughter of a Texan oil millionaire who had taken a real shine to me.

Sadly I let the millionairess from Austin, Texas slip through my fingers and have led a life of relative poverty since. However I never let Prince go……

As much as I admired and respected Michael Jackson, and nobody in their right mind would dismiss his vocal and dancing prowess as an all round performer, Prince was the man. Michael Jackson was too camp and feminine; Prince prince purple rain vinyl single coverwhilst being androgynous had a grittiness about him. Prince was a contradiction certainly but his music wasn’t.

Prince’s music was much more edgy and gritty; the music of Michael Jackson whilst very sophisticated lacked political punch with the exception of the dreadful Earth Song. Prince songs often had a social comment; sadness and sleaze often dressed up in a floral flourish but there was a message unmistakeably.

I’m not asking you decide between “Jacko” and Prince. That would be invidious. In some ways it’s hard to differentiate between as they shared many character similarities – both were shy, socially awkward, eccentric recluses. And undoubtedly both were musical geniuses.

However on the occasion of his death, let’s remember the genius of Prince with this Top 5 Best Prince Songs –

 

Top 5 Best Prince Songsprince purple rain vinyl single

1) Purple Rain

2) Sign O’ The Times

3) When Doves Cry

4) Little Red Corvette

5) Let’s Go Crazy

 

Celebrate your love of Prince, by ordering your favourite Prince song as a framed and mounted vinyl single. If it’s intended as a gift, you can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque.  ORDER NOW….. www.framedvinylrecords.com.au/

Framed Vinyl Single MFR

Framed vinyl singles and framed CDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day.  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT.  ORDER NOW…….. www.framedvinylrecords.com.au/

 

Guns N’ Roses lead vocalist Axl Rose to front AC/DC

Guns N’ Roses front man Axl Rose will step in for AC/DC lead vocalist Brian Johnson for the rest of their latest tour.

AC/DC postponed the Rock or Bust tour in March after lead singer Brian Johnson, was informed by doctors that he was at risk of going deaf. Axl Rose will join their European and postponed US dates, before returning to Guns N’ Roses in the summer.axl rose joins acdc

In a statement, AC/DC said they were “fortunate” to have Axl Rose’s “support”: “As much as we want this tour to end as it started, we understand, respect and support Brian’s decision to stop touring and save his hearing. We are dedicated to fulfilling the remainder of our touring commitments to everyone that has supported us over the years.”

Axl Rose recently reunited with guitarist Slash and bass player Duff McKagan for their first Guns N’ Roses gigs together in 23 years culminating at the Coachella festival at the weekend. The band headlined the Coachella festival in California on Saturday and were joined on stage by AC/DC guitarist Angus Young to cover the Australian band’s classic songs Whole Lotta Rosie and Riff Raff.

AC/DC have suffered a number of controversies in recent months, with former drummer Phil Rudd being convicted in 2015 of drug possession and making threats to kill and sentenced to house arrest in and guitarist Malcolm Young, the brother of Angus, being diagnosed with dementia. But you can’t keep a good Aussie band down!! Rock n’ Roll never dies!!

Celebrate your love of AC/DC or Guns N’ Roses, by ordering your favourite AC/DC or Guns N’ Roses song as a framed and mounted vinyl single. If it’s intended as a gift, you can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque.  ORDER NOW….. www.framedvinylrecords.com.au/

framed acdc vinyl single

Framed vinyl singles and framed CDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day.  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT.  ORDER NOW…….. www.framedvinylrecords.com.au/

 

 

Artist destroys Kanye West mural in Sydney, Australia

A massive mural in Sydney, Australia of Kanye West locked in a passionate embrace with himself has been destroyed by its creator.

Australian artist Scott Marsh painted over the six-metre-tall depiction of rapper Kanye West, having sold the piece for kanye west mural$100,000 (£53,000).

The Kanye West mural was located in Chippendale, a creative district in Sydney. The image of Kanye West was a re-creation of a photo of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the 2015 Grammys. Artist Scott Marsh swapped  Kim Kardashian with another Kanye West.

Shortly after images of the mural went viral, the artist said that he was contacted by someone claiming to be with Kanye West’s management, who offered him a five-figure sum to paint over it. Scott Marsh explained: “I asked for six figures and a lifetime supply of Yeezy Boots.

Scott Marsh announced that he would paint over the mural and sell a video of the event plus a one-off oversized print of Kanye Loves Kanye for $100,000. Marsh has now realised that sale.

If you are a fan of Kanye West, you don’t have to commission a huge mural to prove you are. Instead you can order your favourite Kanye West song as a framed and mounted vinyl single or framed CD single. If it’s intended as a gift, you can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque. ORDER HERE….. www.framedvinylrecords.com.au/

Framed vinyl singles and framed CDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original Framed Vinyl Single MFRgifts for a special celebration  / special occasion i.e. a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day.  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT.  ORDER NOW…….. www.framedvinylrecords.com.au/

 

RIP Jon English: English by birth, Australian by choice!!

The legendary Australian singer Jon English has died after complications following surgery for an aortic aneurysm. He was 66. But what a life. His contribution to Aussie culture and entertainment is inestimable.

A statement released by Jon English’s music label, Ambition Music Group, confirmed his death: “It is with great sadness that we commemorate the passing of Jon English. Jon died peacefully last night, aged 66. The cause of death was post-operative complications.”

Jon English, perhaps best known for his stage role in Jesus Christ Superstar, was due to tour Australia from May jon english jesus christ superstarstarting in Perth, but was forced to cancel several shows earlier in the week because of “unexpected ill health”. He was hospitalised for broken ribs when the aneurysm was discovered.

Jon English was born in London and arrived in Australia with his family in 1961, aged 12 and was as comfortable singing number one hits as he was playing roles on stage and screen. His breakthrough performance arrived in 1972 as Judas in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, he’s best remembered by many Aussie fans for roles on hit television shows like Hey Hey It’s Saturday, Countdown and All Together Now.

At 22 Jon English scored his first big break when he landed the coveted role of Judas in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ in 1972. That show would run five years and 700 performances and Jon English would go on to enjoy a very successful career with four ARIA awards, three Mo Awards for entertainer of the year, three number one hits including ‘Six Ribbons’, two Logies and an AFI award. In all he recorded more than 20 albums.

Four of those albums Jon English recorded while touring with ‘Superstar’ before going on to roles in iconic Australian jon english six ribbonsTV series like Number 96 and Matlock. His most recognised single remains ‘Six Ribbons’, written as the theme song for series ‘Against The Wind’ which topped the charts locally and featured in the top 10 in five other countries. He also won a Logie for best new talent in the show.

Jon English guest hosted Countdown on several occasions and trained regularly with his beloved Parramatta Eels rugby league team during the 1970s. Throughout the decade and into the 1980s he was also made regular appearances on Hey Hey It’s Saturday, judging on the Red Faces segment and performing his singles.

During that time he was on the soundtrack of the rock opera ‘Ned Kelly’ and in 1985 he shared an AFI award with Renee Geyer for the theme song for the movie, ‘Street Hero’. Then followed a short break from the music industry when he took on the role of Bobby Rivers in the popular 1991 TV sitcom ‘All Together Now’, co-starring Rebecca Gibney and current Today Show weatherman Steve Jacobs

Jon English’s last album, ‘English History’, was recorded in 2001 as he would go on to focus heavily on touring with his rock shows and appear on various TV shows including ‘Frontline’, ‘Pizza’ and ‘Rockwiz’.

Jon English’s two shows at The Gov in Adelaide in late February are believed to have been among his last. Sickness in the past month led to the cancellation of his ‘Trilogy of Rock’ performances in Tamworth and Dubbo.

R.I.P. Jon English. English by birth; Australian by choice!!jon english

What are your memories of Jon English? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

Celebrate your love of Jon English, by ordering your favourite Jon English song as a framed and mounted vinyl single. If it’s intended as a gift, you can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque. ORDER HERE….. www.framedvinylrecords.com.au/

Framed vinyl singles and framed CDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original Framed Vinyl Single MFRgifts for a special celebration  / special occasion i.e. a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day.  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT.  ORDER NOW…….. www.framedvinylrecords.com.au/

 

Sydney band the Presets lobby for Australia Day to be moved

A Facebook post by the Australian band Presets calling Australia Day on the 26th January the “cruelest of anniversaries, has gone viral.

Sydney band the Presets have suggested alternative dates for Australia Day, including the birthdays of presetswriter Henry Lawson or Indigenous activist Eddie Mabo. The post has been “liked” 20,700 times and shared by more than 3,300 Facebook users.

On their Facebook page the Presets have pointed out that the 26th January inappropriately celebrates the anniversary of the British settlement of Australia, when “a white man arrived with his guns, his alcohol, his church, his flus and other unknown illnesses. Out of all the days of the year that we could possibly choose to celebrate this wonderful nation of Australia, we think it’s frankly sickening that we continue to celebrate on this cruelest of anniversaries, January 26.”

The Aria award-winning electronic music duo, Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes, said they looked forward to a time australia-day-logo2when “a new day is chosen to celebrate our great nation – a day that we can all truly get behind”.

 

First Australian international pop star from Easybeats dies

Stevie Wright, who fronted the 1960s band The Easybeats and is widely regarded as Australia’s first international pop star, has died at the age of 68.

The Aria Hall of Fame Inductee fell ill on Boxing Day and was taken to Moruya hospital on the New South Wales south coast, where he died on Sunday night.easybeats.png.jpg

Rock historian Glenn A Baker confirmed to radio station 6PR he had been informed of the rock legend’s death. The Easybeats lead singer had a massive influence on generations of Australian rock bands, from AC/DC and INXS to the Saints to You Am I.

The Easybeats, with the strong song-writing duo Harry Vanda and George Young in their lineup, were arguably the first Australian pop band to find a global presence in the 1960s, a year ahead of the Bee-Gees.

Their classic 1966 song Friday On My Mind, co-written by Vanda and Young, was a No 1 hit in Australia. It also easybeats.pngreached No 6 in the UK and the Top 20 in the US. Friday On My Mind was actually recorded at the Abbey Road studios in London, home of all The Beatles recordings. The song was later covered by David Bowie on his Pin-Ups album.

The Easybeats Friday On My Mind was voted the best Australian song ever in a poll celebrating 75 years of the Australasian Performing Rights Association in 2001. Friday On My Mind perfectly captures the euphoria of a Friday, signalling the end of the working week; heralding the start of the weekend. It is one of the Record Press author’s favourite feel good songs.

The Easybeats split up in 1969 and Stevie Wright, also known as Little Stevie, became a solo artist with his epic easybeatssong Evie. Sadly his later life was blighted by drug and alcohol addiction for two decades.

“I’ll be honest with you, many people didn’t expect him to reach 68,” Baker told the ABC’s Breakfast programme on Radio National on Monday morning. However Stevie Wright lived long enough to receive accolades for his contribution to Australian rock and pop history – in 2005 he was inducted into the Aria Hall of Fame for his success with the Easybeats. He last performed at the Legends of Rock Festival at Byron Bay in 2009.

You can immortalise the impact and influence Stevie Wright and The Easybeats had on Australian music history and modern culture in Oz by getting The Easybeats Friday On My Mind as a framed vinyl single, personalised with an engraved plaque…… ORDER Framed Vinyl Single MFRHERE……..www.framedvinylrecords.com.au/

Framed vinyl records, framed CDs, framed DVDs & framed book covers with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!   ORDER HERE……..www.framedvinylrecords.com.au/

 

Bowie space journey continues with new album Blackstar

David Bowie’s career started in space in 1969 with his his first hit Space Oddity and 46 years later continues in space with the announcement that Blackstar is the name of Bowie’s forthcoming album and also his new single.

David Bowie’s new single Blackstar will be released on the 20th November and the album of the same name on the 8th January, Bowie’s 69th birthday ( a strange synergy with the start of his chart success in ’69!! )

A statement from David Bowie’s publicist states that contrary to “inaccurate reporting on the sound and content of bowiethe album, by sources this weekend, which claimed that ‘Blackstar may be the oddest work yet’ from the pioneer, only the following can be confirmed: the single will be released on 20 November, and it will not be part of Bowie’s theatre piece Lazarus, and that the album will be released on Bowie’s birthday, 8 January 2016. No further details can be confirmed at this stage.”

There is no bigger David Bowie fan than the Record Press author, but I wonder whether this is simply a space journey too far for the old astronaut. His recordings have been weak and feeble in recent times, especially The Next Day album released in 2013.

So let’s hope for the best with Blackstar but comfort ourselves with this Top 5 Best David Bowie Songs

 

Top 5 Best David Bowie Songs

1) Life on Mars  ( Hunky Dory album )bowie life on mars

2) Heroes  ( Heroes album )

3) Starman  ( Ziggy Stardust album )

4)  Moonage Daydream ( Ziggy Stardust album )

5) Oh You Pretty Things  ( Hunky Dory album )

 

Which are your favourite David Bowie songs and why? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

 

To get a favourite David Bowie song as a framed vinyl single or a framed CD single, personalised Framed Vinyl Single MFRwith an engraved plaque, as a special, unique gift…… ORDER HERE……..www.framedvinylrecords.com.au/

Framed vinyl records, framed CDs, framed DVDs & framed book covers with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!   ORDER HERE……..www.framedvinylrecords.com.au/