The Heavy Get a Rare Encore on Letterman

The Heavy are from Bath England. They look like Dave Grohl, Mick Jones (of The Clash), a young Pete Townsend and Corey Glover. How You Like Me Now sounds like James Brown meets Pig Bag. Their performance on Letterman got them an encore. They played in and out of the commercial. This song has the power that Gnarls Barkley's Crazy had.

Speaking of Mick Jones, he recently went into the studio with former band mate Topper Headon to record a version of The Clash's Jail Guitar Doors with Bill Bragg on lead. It's to benefit Billy's charity with the same name. From their website: Jail Guitar Doors is an independent initiative which aims to provide instruments to those who are using music as a means of achieving the rehabilitation of prison inmates. Founded by Billy Bragg, it takes its name from the b-side of the Clash’s 1978 single ‘Clash City Rockers’. Breaking Rocks is a documentary about the recording and the organization as well as a tour which will begin in February in the UK.

Mick can also be heard with other former band mate Paul Simonon on Gorillaz title track for their latest Plastic Beach.

Levi Stubbs-Lead Singer of The Four Tops

The music of the Four Tops was omnipresent on WABC radio when I was young. Their lead singer Levi Stubbs had a urgency in his voice especially heard on Bernadette. I remember being a little frightened by that song. Here was a guy who was pleading, on his knees, at wits end. crying for Bernadette with an intensity not heard by me at that time. The Four Tops had their first No. 1 single in 1965, “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)”. Other songs that will always get the crowd dancing are "Reach Out, I'll Be There" -a favorite live cover for David Johansen, "The Same Old Song", "Standing In The Shadows of Love", etc.

Mr Stubbs passed away on the 18th. No cause was given. His wife of 48 years survives him, as well as 5 children.

According to his obit in the NY Times, Levi's cousin was Jackie Wilson (Higher and Higher). As jazz singers the Four Tops played the Tonight Show when Jack Parr was the host covering In The Still Of The Night.

Billy Bragg immortalized Levi in his song "Levi Stubbs' Tears":

When the world falls apart some things stay in place
She takes off the Four Tops tape and puts it back in its case
When the world falls apart some things stay in place
Levi Stubbs' tears...

Musicians Unite: UK Leads The Way

Frank Sinatra tried to unionize US musicians. He found no other takers and eventually dropped the cause. Many, Many years later in the UK, musicians are banding together to gain control of their rights and not have the record companies negotiate the deals for them. Radiohead, Billy Bragg and Robbie Williams are just a few name that have signed on. According to the Featured Artists' Coalition's website:

The Featured Artists' Coalition campaigns for the protection of performers' and musicians' rights. We want all artists to have more control of their music and a much fairer share of the profits it generates in the digital age. We speak with one voice to help artists strike a new bargain with record companies, digital distributors and others, and are campaigning for specific changes.

Their manifesto, states that it's now time that the musicians take control of their destiny in this digital age. Radiohead is leading the charge. They are the first major artist to forgo a major record label on their latest release and feel that they should not have to live by rules that were dictated by the labels, which are not supporting their interest. Musicians that are interested can join the cause. Will the US follow?