Scary Sideman
Hello My Name
is Rick Wakeman
L to R: Fripp, Bowie, Eno
B
eing a musician in the 21st Century means battling for every penny over streams, airplay, roy-
alties performance, mechanical rights, and a half dozen other money-generating (or losing)
opportunities. Even with technology tracking assistance, the modern musician isn't too far
removed from requesting a briefcase full of cash before they go on stage like Chuck Berry.
King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp doesn't necessarily need to battle for payment on a 40-year-
old session dispute, but it's the principle of his battle with David Bowie's estate and British licensing
and performing rights organization Phonographic Performance Ltd. (PPL) to receive the proper des-
“It is my opinion that Robert Fripp is considered to be a Featured Artist on two of David Bowie's W
notably very important progressive albums, Heroes and Scary Monsters. Mr. Fripp was chosen because ARW spinoff — calls the keyboardist the most hilarious man he’s ever known,
of his unique style, a total original, as a featured artist in his groundbreaking work in King Crimson and other bandmates swear that it’s his razor-sharp wit that makes touring
and his collaboration with Brian Eno on several albums. As the producer of these albums, I can tes- tolerable. Yes fans might know it, but he has an actual standup comedy rou-
tify that Mr. Fripp was not ‘told’ what to play. We asked him to invent new parts as only he can for tine that he performs overseas. “In the UK, I’m as well-known for that as I am
us. We were in awe of what he played, something we could never have imagined. for the music,” he reveals. “I hosted a comedy show for eight years on televi-
ignation as a featured performer on both Scary Monsters and Heroes. Both albums prominently fea-
ture Fripp's guitar work, and he wants extra compensation accordingly.
Fripp has enlisted producers Brian Eno and David Visconti to help argue his case. Visconti wrote,
Featured Artist and Featured Player are terms that were invented in the 1990s by record companies.
But it also applies to artistes that played on records back to the beginning of the recording industry
from Thomas Edisons’ time,” he concluded. “Its absence on a record sleeve cannot be held against an
artist who is featured on recordings before Featured Artist, and Featured Player came into use.”
Maybe he should just request a briefcase full of cash.
hat’s so funny about Rick Wakeman? Pretty much everything,
according to most of his bandmates, friends, and family, and
much of the TV-watching public in his native Britain. Jon
Anderson — his longtime vocalist in prog-rock stalwarts Yes and the recent
sion called Live at Jongleurs, and then the Grumpy Old Men show — #1 rated
that ran for six seasons — I was on all of that, and I’ve done quite a lot of
standup.”
Currently, the man is on his first American solo tour in 13 years, tapping
into illustrious high points like “Journey to the Centre of the Earth” and “The
Six Wives of Henry VIII,” alongside more recent quieter work from last year’s
“Piano Odyssey.” But the show will be peppered with playful anecdotes, in
10•2019
accordance with his new profile as a ribald raconteur. (Continued on page 8)
Bring It Up High 8
HiFi & The Roadburners
The annual Bring It Up High Fest, now in its eighth year, is back on Saturday, November 9 at The
Hideout. BIUH is a celebration of the lives and the legacy of veteran Chicago roots-rock band, HiFi & the
Roadburners. In 2009, the band lost guitar player Jeff Schuch. In 2011, founder and singer Erik "HiFi" Kish
passed away in a motorcycle accident. The HiFi and the Roadburners Memorial Foundation is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit that was founded to organize the annual show, maintain the legacy of the band, and distrib-
ute the money that is raised every year for charities. Formed in 1984, HiFi & the Roadburners played a
gritty mash-up of jump-blues, R&B, rock n roll, and punk rock, performing throughout Chicago and
nationally for 25 years. This year's event will feature performances by skanking St. Louis-based ska band
Skalars, original members of the Roadburners, The Devonns, powerhouse vocalist Bailey Lee, and leg-
endary ska and reggae (and label owner) DJ Chuck Wren. For details, visit HideoutChicago.com.
Guitar Season: Part 2
Longtime guitar retailer Midwest Buy & Sell and Butler Music in Missouri are back with
their annual Guitar Show November 10 from 9 am to 5 pm, at the Meridian Conference
Center (1701 Algonquin Road, Rolling Meadows). Admission is $5, and Dealer tables are
$125. Dealers from across the Midwest will be buying, selling, and trading new, used and
vintage guitars. You’ll also find woodwinds, brass instruments and other gear, including
accessories. Last year's show was one of the highlights of the season. For info and to add a
last-minute dealer table email mwbuynsell@ sbcglobal.net or call 773-545-2020.
6 illinoisentertainer.com october 2019