New RTH-BFF, Universal Music is back. This time they sent us a CD copy of Roy Orbison: The Last Concert (December 4, 1988). More info on the CD after the fold.
So we’re going to do a Last Man Standing that has an actual bonafide prize for the winner. That’s right “bragging rights” AND an Orbison CD. Who’s your daddy?!
Drill is simple. Name a rock musician known for wearing glasses. Not sunglasses. Glasses. The more identifiable the glasses with the artist the better.
The Back Office along with guest judge, Soft Cell’s Marc Almond (photo not available) will have final verdict. Deadline 2am Tuesday morning PST. So if you’ve got an ace-in-the-hole you best set your alarm or party on through.
Marc can only think of two others. You gonna let Soft Cell’s Marc Almond (photo not available) one up you?!
Ready-steady-go!
More about the CD.
Eagle Rock Commemorates A Classic
ROY ORBISON: THE LAST CONCERT
An Intimate Experience – Live, Untouched, In Concert for the Last Time
~ August 10, 2010~
Instantly recognizable in vocals, songwriting and style, Roy Orbison was a musical pioneer. One of the few artists to have worldwide recognition in all forms of music – pop, rock ‘n’ roll, spoken word, and country – he received Grammys in all categories, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award. On August 10, Eagle Rock Entertainment will pay homage to Roy Orbison upon the release of The Last Concert CD [MSRP $13.98].
Originally released as a limited run via iTunes in 2008 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his passing, The Last Concert is now available on CD for the first time. Recorded on December 4, 1988 in Cincinnati, just two days before his sudden death, this was the last time Roy ever performed. This collection of fourteen songs, including seven top ten singles, is the exact order of his show that evening. This includes one of the most loved Rock ‘n Roll songs ever, “Oh, Pretty Woman,” as well as his Grammy-Award Winning “Crying” and “Dream Baby.” This historic performance is untouched by mixing and enhancements – it’s pure, honest, unmistakable Roy.
Following Roy’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, in 1989, Roy became the second singer to ever simultaneously have two posthumous Top 5 albums (King of Hearts, Mystery Girl) on the Billboard charts (the first was Elvis Presley). In addition to his inductions into the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and Nashville Walk Of Fame, Orbison was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2008, the Library of Congress added “Oh, Pretty Woman” to the National Recording Registry.
The Last Concert CD is a rarity in these days and times because it is historically correct—it is a trip down memory lane, capturing one of the best rock ‘n roll singers of all time. You don’t really get to know an artist until you go to a live performance, and this particular concert, on December 4th, 1988 was the very last time that Roy Orbison performed. It is an incredible example of Roy’s on-stage presentation, in which he always gave stellar, near-chilling performances. It is a must-have in any record collection.
Track Listing:
1.) Only The Lonely
2.) Leah
3.) Dream Baby
4.) In Dreams
5.) Mean Woman Blues
6.) Blue Bayou
7.) Candyman
8.) Crying
9.) Ooby Dooby
10.) Go, Go, Go (Down The Line)
11.) It’s Over
12.) Working For The Man
13.) Lana
14.) Oh, Pretty Woman
Amazon mp3 download here:
Thank you for your attention.
Starting you out here with Buddy Holly.
lmkr- That’s one of the two that Marc Almond was thinking of. I’ve got one more on top of that. But for now you are the LWS.
Nothing to be gained by going early, but anyway: Costello.
Swinging for the fences: Mark Mothersbaugh.
Too early to win but, obviously, Elton John.
John Lennon
Chick- Going early gets the obvious ones out of the way to clear the playing field for Mandom residents only.
Must say that Mothersbaugh is a Mandom-worthy entry that sadly lost it’s standing to the obvious Elton John.
Lennon was the other one of which Marc Almond was thinking.
Keep up the good work Townsfolk.
Jarvis Crocker from Pulp.
That dude from the Buggles
FYI: The Back Office is not a fan of Pulp but does enjoy the Cocker solo Further Complications.
“That dude from the Buggles” is currently LMS. Bonus points for not wasting anyone’s time with his real name, assuming he has one.
Carl Radle, bass player in the Dominoes (of Derek and the… fame)
The guitar player from the Shadows that all those English guys go on about.
Hank Marvin
Buggles=Trevor Horn (of Yes fame as well)
I’m a fan of Pulp, so I go with another Brit set of spectacles: Graham Coxon of Blur and solo career.
Freddy who shaves with a microphone in front of the Dreamers.
Lisa Loeb. No, really.
Greg Hawkes from the Cars
harry caray (take me out to the b-game)
Marshall Crenshaw
Peter Holsapple
Latterday Eric Clapton.
Stevie Wonder
It says everything about our society that Buddy Holly gets mentioned right away, but 20 comments later and no one has mentioned the man whose life Holly stole, Bo Diddley.
This is the type of oft-repeated critical “conventional wisdom” that I find annoying because it’s an oversimplication and thus not really true. Name one Buddy Holly song other than “Not Fade Away” that uses the Bo Diddley beat? And I say this is as someone who likes both, but definitely prefers Bo Diddley.
Graham Parker
Every musician older than 40 accepting a Grammy award that needs to whip out the reading glasses to see his “thank you” list.
Bass player guy in Sloan. LMS!
I thought of him, too, but he’s mostly known for wearing sunglasses and rarely taking him off.
Buddy Holly brings to mind Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo…
Parker is a sunglasses guy. Rivers Cuomo is currently the LMS.
Adam Clayton of U2.
Craig Finn of The Hold Steady.
Can berlyant win a special award for moaning about the “conventional wisdom” that Holly stole Diddley’s life?
I’m amazed at how many of these musicians I hadn’t thought of.
berlyant might be interested in this upcoming biopic.
Robert Schneider from Mod’s fave indie pop band, The Apples In Stereo.
Robert Fripp. Also my entry for the LMS thread, “Musicians who sit on stools.
Bootsy Collins! I would say some are sunglasses but there is a lot of fancy eyewear there.
Filling me up with your rules, B.O.
Run or DMC, you know, the one with the glasses.
Bob Mould.
Marc Almond just Google Image-d “bob mould” and there weren’t a lot pics with glasses… RunDMC though, that dude is bespectacled.
Hoping that someone chimes in so that we don’t have to make a ruling on Bob Mould.
Sorry, but not BM.
Ewwwww.
Ok, how about the Humpty Dance/main dude from Digital Underground?
Bob Mould didn’t always wear glasses, but he does now. “Known for” wearing glasses is a slippery concept. Whatever.
Ben Gibbard then?
I have a nice little list going…here’s someone known for wearing glasses:
Steve Albini (Big Black)
The squarest looking dude in the British Invasion, Chris White of The Zombies.
Manfred Mann
Ray Manzarek.
What was the verdict on Graham Parker? Because I would offer Ian Hunter – every pic has him wearing glasses. Could be eyeglasses, could be sunglasses, could be transition lenses.
Randy Newman. LMS!
Max Weinberg
Holger Czukay. LMS!
Sean Lennon.
Flo or Eddie from the Turtles, you know, the chubby one with the glasses.
Steve is right at this point. We’ve moved passed all the people known for wearing glasses and are now left with people who just wear glasses. The winner will be crowned in controversy.
Curtis Mayfield. LMS!
Morrissey
http://www.last.fm/music/Morrissey/+images/375968
As a Smiths fan Morrissey is not “known” for wearing glasses, though he sometimes does.
Curtis Mayfield was digging deep, but not the LMS.
Jeff Lynne!
“Jeff Lynne” was one of the few on our original list when we were deciding if there were enough to make this work. Shocked and awed at the number of quality entries.
If it helps, Marc and I and the B.O. staff consider “known for” as this – When you picture the artist in your mind’s eye, he/she is wearing glasses.
So, Lisa Loeb is a high quality response in this instance.
andyr- pretty sure that Stevie Wonder’s glasses are not prescription.
Graham Parker and Ian Hunter are disqualified due to lack of substantive evidence.
Either Chad or Jeremy
Heavy D. LMS!
(Both of) The Proclaimers! LWS!
Noel Redding. LMS!
You mean this Noel Redding? The one NOT wearing glasses in this iconic image?
Morrissey was in fact known for wearing NHS glasses, specifically NHS 524:
http://deadmensspex.blogspot.com/2009/12/vintage-nhs-spectacles-and-not-truss-in.html
But anyway … Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations:
http://blogs.centrictv.com/music/soulsessions/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/temptations-group-pic.jpg
Towa Tei from DeeLite.
As Towa Tei is the LMS, we in The Back Office will avoid making a determination regarding Morrissey.
Morrissey’s NHS glasses were frames with clear glass!
Sigh. The portly bassist from the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Paul Goddard.
L…M…S
Speaking of bass players, Mike Mills of the Diamondesque REM. Just try me!
OK, Glen Cornick, early bassist for Jethro Tull.
Shame on mockcarr for knowing who Glen Cornick even is. Technically this is the LMS but c’mon! This cannot stand.
Oh, I’ve got plenty of shame. But he had a weird hippie look that is hard to forget.
OK, would Paul Kanter be less weird?
Junior, of “Mama Used to Say” fame. (Come on — one-hit wonders from the 80s don’t count?
Oh man, I loved Junior’s “Mama Used to Say.”
I’d like to take a minute and talk about Warren Zevon.
Ian Paice
http://www.deeppurple.com/deeppurple/CMS/wallpapers/ianpaice_110107_800.jpg
Colonel Klink? I’m sure he sang on an episode of Hogan’s Heroes. Does a monocle count?
This post is a protest to the fact that questionable submissions of diminishing returns continue.
Does Roger McGuinn count?
I was saving Ian Paice for later…but I got some others waiting in the wings.
Klaus Fluoride (Dead Kennedys)
Jemaine from Flight of the Conchords
Paul Kanter definitely more comfortable.
Sometimes the path to Mandom is frought with obstacles. (But not monocles.)
HO-GAAAAN!
Klaus Flouride- Good one.
THomas Dolby
Actually, he may not be rock enough.
Bun E Carlos
Bun E Carlos is great. And, darn, I was saving both McGuinn and Clement for later.
That said, Japan-era David Sylvian.
Hmmmmm. If you have to put an era on it…hmmmm
eh- Dolby is every bit as rock as Lisa Loeb to the judges.
No hmmming and hawwing on Sylvian, Back Office. Sylvian, like Bowie, went through a lot of styles, and he was known for those big glasses that he wore, such as on the front of the Tin Drum album.
LMKR- Marc Almond says he finds your harsh tone “erotic” and will grant you Sylvian.
Oh. Duh! Andy Partridge.
LMS!
Also: Tim Bogert, of uh, Vanilla Fudge.
Ell… Emm… ESSS!
Well, thank you, Back Office.
I thought I was on to something here: there could be a case to be made that Perfect Tommy and Cowboy New Jersey of the Hong Kong Cavaliers had horn-rimmed glasses as part of their looks, but in doing some extra research, I believe that this is deceptive and only reflects their scientific personas. However, if bow ties were part of this contest, the multi-talented Buckaroo Bonzai would be a sure- fire contestant.
Godfather of go-go music Chuck Brown. That one will no doubt incite chickenfrank to more mischief.
Pos d”Nous from De La Soul.
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter
LMS
I’ll see your Skunk Baxter and raise you a Leland Sklar.
Well played, ladymiss, but…
the guy who plays the SG in the Jayhawks. I think his name is Gary Louris, or something like that.
Fork over the belt.
You BOTH lose! Waddy F*cking Wachtel!
LMS!
Bill Frisell – mwaaa haaa haaa.
Jim Keltner — ZING!
LMS
Karl Wallinger of World Party.
Party on if you can…
Housemartins guitarist Stan Cullimore.
Might as well drop the last one I can think of (for now):
Moby
Wooooooooo!!! Last Man Standing! That’s RIGHT! IN YER FACE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Why does The Back Office keep introducing Mandom into the discussion? I don’t see it in the original ground rules. (Lisa Loeb asked me to ask.)
And btw am I to assume Bono’s eyewear is disqualified? I don’t think they’re exactly sunglasses.
They Might Be Giants (at least one of them that is…) wearing glasses.
Ah, Donnie Iris.
Bono is disqualified for a variety of reasons.
LMS, as we all painfully know, is a blood sport. It separates the boys from the Mandom. Only true residents can make the final cut. And only one, 1, gets to go back alone to his swanky Japanese apartment, disrobe, and apply Mandom, copiously, and pretend to shoot a gun for some reason.
Unless, of course, Misskirroyale wins, and then she’ll have to splash on the Lady Mandom which is the feminine version of Mandom, much like the Lady Remington razor. I picture Angie Dickinson in the promotional advert, but then again I picture Angie Dickinson in everything.
Ah, I didn’t realize Marc Almond’s lifestyle was the ideal we were shooting for.
Uh oh. That would be dangerous for me.
I think I would not have a Japanese pad. The Lady Mandom apartment would probably be more like Scarlett O’Hara’s bedroom and one could exchange shooting, knowing looks with Clark Gable or a more recent version of his suaveness (I would picture John Cusack there).
By the way, did John Cusack wear glasses in any of his movies? I can only find or think of sun glasses references? Just wondering because I need to start working on that Lady Mandom advert.
Let’s just leave things with Patrick Carney of the Black Keyes.
Sunglasses for Cusack, and night vision goggles in Sixteen Candles, if I recall correctly.
Thank you for reminding me of the night vision goggles. I will sleep better tonight.
Stewart Copeland
I am still not ready to pull out the big guns, but I want to play NOW.
Wasn’t the rule that the musician is recognized by their glasses?
John Helliwill (Supertramp)
Make that Helliwell…………….
Hell…Yeah…I…Will…Win
LMS, as we all painfully know, is a blood sport.
Sorry, guys: Walter Becker — he of the beard fame.
LMS.
Good morning. Jerry Garcia.
Straight from a summer in the suburbs, John Sebastian
I request a ruling on this one: Janis Joplin?
I don’t think there is any person in Supertramp recognizable by their face let alone some accessory.
Depeche Mode’s Andy Fletcher…
http://www.last.fm/music/Andrew+Fletcher/+images/2553990
Jeff Porcaro, Toto.
LMS
I don’t want to be your Joey Ramone, but I do want to be your Last Man Standing!
Since I won’t be around on Tuesday, I’m offering a tip for anyone willing to follow up on it: there is an artist yet unmentioned who is known for wearing glasses because when this artist debuted they were compared to another glasses wearing artist already mentioned in this list. The two have a slight musical similarity *and* similar glasses, similarities which many reviewers felt compelled to mention, so this isn’t simply just another rock musician who wears glasses.
There is at least one other townsman who knows exactly who I’m talking about.
Happy hunting!
This game is like rummy. I had been holding Jerry Garcia for a while but someone else played the card.
I’ll play…
Phil Lesh
Marc says “no” to Janis Joplin.
He also says he isn’t really interested in a Lady Mandom but finds the concept of a Lady-Man Mandom “erotic”.
Are Joey Ramone’s prescription?
I’ll see your Jerry Garcia and your Phil Lesh and raise you one Trey Anastasio.
LMS, baby!
yep! they’re tinted, too, but I think that was associated, albino-like, with whatever genetic oopsy he had.
but of course, water under the belt by this time, so I’m gonna have to pull out a bad case of standing last: Moon Martin.
Magic Dick, J. Geils Band
Once again… LMS.
… and before you go there: Danny Klein of the J. Geils Band.
LMSsssss!
I knew that once the Jerry and Phil card were played that someone would throw the Trey card. No worries. I got plenty more.
Here’s a quick discard…but scores some (cheap) points:
Dewey Bunnell (America)
Lousy band IMHO, but four eyes!
I think there’s a little piece of D’Nous’ian rock in Mr. Curtis Mayfield.
(BUZZER)
Curtis has been said. By me!
Judge’s ruling: Rob Tyner, from MC5?
Albino-like? Like Edgar Winter? I would say those are more like shades.
Regardless, I suggest one of the dudes from Gomez. Don’t know what his name is, but he has nice glasses – I might need to get me some.
Chris Collingswood, of Fountains of Wayne.
Roy Wood.
I am now, and plan to remain, the LMS.
Ruling on Scott Walker, please.
Mr. Kirroyale believes that Scott Walker is fabulous but wears sunglasses.
That said, James McNew, Yo La Tengo.
Tyner- No
Walker- No
Colin Meloy of the Decemberists
Ohhh, Colin Meloy was one of my aces!
But there are three more in my deck…
If Thomas Dolby slides by, then there is room for:
Giorgio Moroder! (a 3 of clubs)
Ruling judges?
No ruling necessary, because I present…
Maurice Gibb
LMS!
Bobby Rogers of The Miracles
LMS
I came up with 3 during the weekend and 2 were mentioned.
The 3rd: Snork from the Banana Splits
And, no, I’m not proud of this.
How about Dion, post-Belmonts?
Berlyant’s doppelganger, Steven Page of the Barenaked Ladies.
LMS!
Cuomo and Weezer stole that look from the Feelies, who had a few bespectacled members, so I guess I’ll say Bill Million.
I’m gonna steal somebody’s ace-in-the-hole by saying: Ray Charles.
LMS!
Jim Slade from Nixon’s Head, who is well known for regularly donning his pince nez.
Dude from Fall Out Boy, whatever his name is.
k. – Snork is inspired. I had thought of the fictional musician route, hence my comment about Buckeroo Bonzai. I even looked up Josie and the Pussy Cats, looking for a long-forgotten Lisa Loeb among them. But no dice. A curtsey your way.
Ok, I’m introducing one of my gold-plated eye glass series, just to see if I can foil one of you gents:
David J of Bauhaus/Love and Rockets/solo stuff
David J. Good, very good.
But no…
Brendan Canty (Fugazi)
Dave Mattacks
LMS
Marc will no longer be making rulings unless necessary or “erotic”. He’s kinda creepin’ us out back here to be honest. We took turns staying awake last night to keep an eye on him. Just the sound of his squeaky pleather jacket is disturbing at this point.
And lord knows what he’s carrying in that paper bag.
If you have to attach an era like “post…” you’re going to be on thin ice. Ice. But thin.
Bruce Cockburn
Ha!
Bruce Cockburn?! I don’t think so! Try:
Billy Paul, of “Me & Mrs. Jones” fame.
LMS!
John “Stumpy” Pepys
Milo Aukerman of the Descendants.
At last:
Velma
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9vAsE7yIUA
Kirk Pengilly from INXS
Wait… Velma?! Damn, I shoulda held out!
More from the ladies:
Nana Mouskouiri
and
Mrs. (former) Elvis Costello: Caitlan O’Riordan
To be truly evil, another from the Gold-Plated selection:
J Mascis
Omar Rodriguez Lopez from Mars Volta.
How about the very famous Zander “Snake” Schloss from the Circle Jerks? Many of you may better know him from his fine acting career.
I warned you. Now we’re into fictional characters. I’m happy to start dropping obscure local band members soon. Kenny from the Original Sins, anyone? Don’t make me go there. If I don’t get no consolation, I’m going to take it to the United Nations.
Mea culpa, of the fictional musicians, although I was just having some fun. But chickenfrank does bring up a good point – the mighty minds of the RTH probably could come up with endless lists of obscure glasses-wearing musicians. Perhaps the Backoffice could chime in with some final clarifications and guidelines?
You know who isn’t fictional? Kyp Malone, from TV On The Radio.
Last Man Standing!
How about Tunde Adobimbe and Dave Sitek, also from TV On the Radio?
LWS!
If I were to hang an 8X10 photo of this musician on my wall he would be wearing glasses.
Christophe Franke (Tangerine Dream)
Brian Chase, drummer for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Dave Rowntree – Blur
Since no one took up my challenge, I’m dropping the name of not only someone who wears glasses, but is actually *known* for his glasses, as per contest rules.
Clive Gregson, singer and guitarist for Any Trouble, had the misfortune not only to lead a band which had some musical similarities to Elvis Costello, a band which released its first album on Stiff Records, like Elvis Costello, but also had big thick black rimmed glasses, just like Elvis Costello. If you know three things about Any Trouble, these are the things you know since reviewers often felt compelled to mention both music and glasses.
Don’t take my word for it: sammymadulin’s post on RTH from 18 Dec 2008 which I found when searching for images of Clive Gregson makes exactly the same observations. https://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/index.php/the-ulitimate-snatching-defeat-band-dese
And, because I’ve loved this song since I first heard it in 1981, here is the glasses wearer himself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sryujH_qX-4
Noted: musician in Herman’s Hermits who wears glasses. I should ask epluribus who it is…But am a little scared of the diatribe. Boston, I hadn’t heard of Any Trouble but appreciate your info. What would happen if I admitted to not knowing the names of all the member’s of HHs?
Arto Lindsay.
You mean that the fat guy from Atlantic Rhythm Section is not known for his glasses?? Then what is he known for…
Alexis Taylor – Hot Chip
http://www.nme.com/images/081024_151538_hotchipcool06_35.jpg
Look at him, flaunting his lenses!
I’m going to sleep now, so although I am the LMS, I would like to add: Mitchell Froom.
John Denver. But if he and his glasses aren’t rock enough, how about Ian Broudie of the Lightning Seeds?
Last one here – the multitalented, glasses-wearing Tommy Guerrero.
When this contest started I began jotting artists down on paper. The list got long and I crossed out those that others thought of. But as I looked at my list, right near the top, was an artist who came to mind quickly. He had the look and wore glasses, and to this day they are part of his persona. No one has mentioned him yet, but when I reveal him you will all say “Oh yeah”.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pat DiNizio (Smithereens)
and if that is not good enough then Rock and Roll Hall of Famer:
Stu Cook (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
I’m going to bed…
Man, how did we miss those two? Those are good ones to cap this off.
Not so fast!
Dartian Sahanaja, the Wondermints
LMS
I think Stu Cook wins based on the time deadline, but for the sake of completeness: Herbie Hancock.
He can’t see without them!
Wow, excellent last minute plays!
I had a similar strategy to jazcoleman, and kept adding/subtracting names as they came to mind or appeared on the site. My big mistake, though, was reading the contest deadline time as 2 am EST. I got a great night’s sleep because I thought Tommy Guerrero was our LMS!
Dammit, I always seem to have to say this guy – Weird Al.
The deadline has passed. It was 2am PST this morning which is 5am EST. RTH logs comments based on EST and we here in The Back Office apologize for any confusion. Here on out we’ll set deadlines on RTH time.
Anyhoo…The last entry prior to the deadline was:
So unless there are formal protests, Townsman jazcoleman is the winner of the Orbison Last Concert CD. Congratulations Townsman.
Please send your mailing info to thebackoffice[at]rocktownhall.com
On the way out Marc Almond wants to wish everyone an “erotic” rest of the week.