Geo’s Media Blog (Guess Who?) New 1/20/20

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In the early days of Rock & Roll, the smartest thing a musical act could do if they wanted a long career was not have a named frontman. If they were known only by the name of the group, they could perform forever no matter how often the group members changed. 

However, when the Supremes became Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Supremes were screwed, as were The Miracles, The 4 Seasons, The Pips, and many others. There is no way any of these groups can go on tour without Diana, Smokey, Frankie, or Gladys. Whereas The Temptations, The 4 Tops, The Platters, The Crystals, The Drifters, and The Coasters, can go on and on and on.
 
The Beatles changed all that, though when they individually became so famous that there is no way that anybody could tour as the Beatles without all 4 of them being present. The Who couldn’t tour without Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey nor could Led Zeppelin without Jimmy Page and Robert Plant or The Stones without Mick and Keith. The only group that seems to get away with it today is The Eagles. Hell, they have to be the biggest cover band in the world what with Don Henley being the only original member left.
 
The only reason I bring any of this up is because after a 10-year drought, it is rumored that my old friends from Winnipeg, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman (shown above), are getting ready to tour again. Even though Burton and Randy will be touring as Bachman & Cummings, all of Canada will know that they’re really watching, The Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive at the same time.
 
GEO’S LIFE-LINES

If you can’t seem to change anything, change yourself. 

When you’ve watched as many movies on Netflix as I have, you begin to realize that if you’ve never heard of the actors, move on. 
 

We all die sooner than planned.

Even though everything is illegal in Massachusetts, everyone still has everything.
 
I’m not sure if this is true anymore, but when I lived in Canada, you could walk down any street without feeling afraid.
 

So do I have this right, it’s ok to slam, the President, old white guys, policeman, Christians, Russians, and rednecks, but not women, blacks, Jews, Mexicans, Muslims or LGBTQs?  

Sometimes you have to decide just whose side you’re on, the guy hanging on the cross, or the guy banging the nails?

How is the government in California able to ignore the homeless?

We only believe what we agree with. The rest is fake news.

Rich people never lose at war.

Isn’t it weird how amazed the press is every time a black person or a woman does something special?

It sure looks like the Royal Brits can’t handle Yankee girls, huh? Both Harry and his Grand Uncle Edward should have listened to American Woman by Winnipeg’s Guess Who before drawing their swords.

You never own success; you only get to rent it for a little while.

Ok, I’m ready, Chiefs and Niners. Bring it!

COMMENTS

Doug Chappelle: George, the shows like American Idol, The Voice AGT show the reality of an age-old question posed to the record companies. If only one in ten artists makes money, why not just sign the one. It is because nobody can forecast what the public will want…Hell, the public does not even know what they want. These artists have viewers watching these shows and even getting them to do the voting. Everyone that does that has their favorites…BUT…. what happens when the recording comes out… most fail. There have been a few big stars emerge, but the percentage is just as bad as the record companies….hit records and hit artists are things of wonder. (It’s The Song Man!)

Geo: When I was doing the Class format all over North America, Doug, I wouldn’t even add a record until it was in the top 30 and even then, I was wrong half the time.

Jack Schell: Well said and done, George. Very well!

Along those lines (“When you’re on hold, and you hear “your call is very important to us, thank you for holding” Do you think they really mean it!), whenever I hear the on-hold recorded speaker – for the tenth time – say, “…someone will be with you momentarily.”, I usually shout, “WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF MOMENTARILY?”  Y’know? (Ladies Of The Night)

Geo: Jack, have you also noticed that there are fewer and fewer people taking care of us at all the stores we shop in? That’s because we the customers are doing all the work and they’re not even paying us minimum wage. 

Tim Moore: Moore: George: it’s true…we ARE only one F-up away from our most defining moment. Leadership is lonely; some of our most shining moments come when we’re unapplauded and alone. But a decisive leader always prevails, because everyone else is indecisive. (Ladies Of The Nite)

Geo: Yep, It reminds me of the old joke, Tim. I build beautiful bridges, long roads, and tall skyscrapers, but just one time I …, and now I’m known as Benny the —! 

Robin Blair: Thanks, George. Daughters are amazing, and it’s nice to hear it from a loving Dad! Blessings (Happy Birthday Baby)

Jim Davis: Fairchild (KLIF’s owner) hired RKO’s Paul Drew to Craft “one last dance” in 1977. I was fortunate enough to be the PD at that time. I was surrounded by a magnificent staff and great leadership under Edd Routt Who was a friend until his passing. while the end was inevitable, it will always remain as one of the textbook examples of what a great staff can do when they play to win. (KLIF vs KVIL)

Geo: I never realized that Paul Drew was involved, Jim, how fun!

Chris McCarty: I grew up in Dallas and for me personally there was a big difference between KLIF and KVIL. When I was a kid I’d stay up after my bedtime and listen to KLIF on my transistor radio under the covers. When I was a young adult I’d listen to KVIL on my badass stereo system and on top of my covers. Long live radio! (KLIF vs KVIL)

Geo’s Media Blog is an inside look at Radio, Music, Movies, and Life. For a sneak peek at some upcoming Blogs or to see some that you may have missed, go to Geo’s Media Blog @ GeorgeJohns.com. On Twitter @GeoOfTheRadio. Sharing and commenting​ is appreciated. ​

2 thoughts on “Geo’s Media Blog (Guess Who?) New 1/20/20

  1. Re: Fewer clerks in the stores…
    Remember, you can’t file your taxes until you’ve received your W-2 for the time you worked at the Kroger self-checkouts.

  2. George is the Doug Chapelle in the first comment me with a different spelling of the name, I have posted the same thoughts previously??? I am confused, but then again I am “Old”.Now, as to the comment about safe streets, that is no longer true in Toronto…those days are gone and the “Bangers” have taken over. (Guess Who)

    Geo, Sorry Dougg these old eyes didn’t catch it. 🙂

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