Imagine Little John
Down to the Crossroads
Jimmy Page and his Gibson
Fans of of their favorite Beatle, guitarist and songwriter John Lennon know he wasn ' t the biggest fan of dead rock star cash-ins. He told Rolling Stone " I don ' t want to be a fuc-ing dead hero " in 1980, but that was before the internet, corporate rock IPO ' s and billion dollar music deals.
Since the Beatles are the most popular music act of all time, this dead hero is getting a figurine. Molecule 8 is " setting new standards in craftsmanship," according to its press release, " with its commitment to life-like imagery and the highest quality production. The company will incorporate John Lennon ' s likeness in a global, limited edition collectible figure represented in sixth scale( 12 inches)." The figure will be available for preorder at molecule8. com / product / john-lennon /).
According to the company, " we are honoured to have been approved by Yoko Ono and Epic Rights to develop a line of distinct premium collectibles under the John Lennon brand," said Vijay Chadha, CEO of Molecule 8. " In addition to the sixth scale figure of Mr. Lennon, our team is developing a unique assortment of pieces that will speak to the genius, character, and passions that defined John Lennon, both as an artist and as a man."
Ono has been largely respectful of her late husband ' s legacy, but we ' re expecting more licensing deals in the future. Since Lennon was a well-known marijuana smoker in his Beatle years, we half-expect a California dispensary to offer a Lennon "# 9 Dream " cannabis in a few years. " More I cannot say."
04 • 2018
Halfway To Halloween
Iconic guitar-maker and guitar brand Gibson is at a financial precipice. According to the Los Angeles Times " like the blues giant Robert Johnson, whose mastery of a Gibson guitar was said to be the result of a deal with the devil, Gibson itself has come to a crossroads. After 116 years, the devil ' s knocking on the guitar company ' s door. Debt of as much as $ 560 million is due this summer, and investors are whispering that Chief Executive Henry Juszkiewicz has got to go."
Not only is the CEO ' s ground shaky, the company may be forced into bankruptcy if their next payment is not refinanced at a reasonable rate. According to the Nashville Post, " Gibson has already started laying off employees. So far, that includes 15 employees at at the Gibson Custom Shop, which focuses on higher-end, custom guitar manufacturing."
In a press release issued by the company, Juszkiewicz said the layoffs were put forth as“ part of broad initiative throughout the company to prepare for our refinancing,” and a“ Spring cleaning of sorts” to lighten the operational load," according to the Post.
It ' s hard to imagine the Gibson brand going away, but by 2019 guitarists can expect a cleaner, meaner guitar maker getting back to basics.
Blues Clues
You’ ve heard of Christmas in July, how about Halloween in April? The horror-day and dry rub specialists Cigars and Stripes BBQ Lounge in Berwyn can’ t wait until October and are dragging Chicago punk stalwarts HotLips Messiah to their stage on Ogden Avenue to celebrate their " Halfway to Halloween " event, starting at Noon, Saturday April 28th.
Before the music starts, owner Ronnie Lottz and his staff will showcase a live, full-body corpse makeup demonstration by Antanisha Stokes of Asimagined, which will also be projected on big screens in the bar and beer garden. Neo-minimalist and“ Disco Miscarriage” cover artist Matt Geer will be painting live and exhibiting his new work. This all day event will also showcase their awardwinning delicious BBQ, streaming horror movies, and bloody mary specials in abundance.
Lottz told IE. " Our customers can ' t seem to get enough of our month long Halloween Freaktober events in October, so we decided to give them a little taste of it again in April, as the weather got warmer. "
Stripes BBQ has been making a name for itself with its amazing BBQ, extensive beer selection, watch parties for Svengoolie on Saturdays, and Walking Dead on Sundays. It ' s also one of the most eclectic live entertainment venues in the western suburbs. For details visit www. StripesBBQ. com.
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illinoisentertainer. com april 2018
Hot Lips Messiah at Cigars & Stripes in Berwyn April 28
Lurrie Bell
The Chicago Blues Fest returns to Millennium Park for the second year on June 8-10. The unconventional location serves as a contrast to the line-up of classic artists and historic tributes. Opening with an elaborate tribute to Chicago ' s iconic Delmark Records and its founder Bob Koester, highlights to watch include Lurrie Bell ' s tribute to his father Carey Bell, Omar Coleman ' s tribute to Junior Wells and Demetria Taylor, and Tomiko Dixon ' s tribute to Big Time Sarah. Billy Branch leads a tribute to legendary Chicago blues harpist Little Walter on Saturday with Florida young gun Selwyn Birchwood opening. Sunday features perhaps the most unusual show with gospel and R & B queen Mavis Staples headlining, Kenny Neal providing a musical bridge between blues and R & B and Oakland musician Fantastic Negrito connecting the dots with his signature " blues with a punk attitude."
- Rosalind Cummings-Yeates