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