"Goin' Home with The Rolling Stones '66" by Gered Mankowitz -Review by Tosh Berman for Pleas Kill Me Website

 Tosh Berman on "Goin' Home with The Rolling Stones

Remembering Cameron and the Late Bohemian World of Los Angeles by Tosh Berman

 

Please Kill Me Link to Article by Tosh Berman

ARCHITECT OF STARDOM: Irving Mills and Duke Ellington

Part of my "Architect of Stardom" series on 'Please Kill Me' website. Here I focus on Irving Mills, the manager of Duke Ellington, among other greats.

 His “Elvis” was Duke Ellington, but he did far more than manage the careers of the Duke, Cab Calloway, and Hoagy Carmichael. Irving Mills got his hand in every aspect of the music business—managing, publishing, recording and leading his own band. He may, in fact, be the unsung father of the modern music business in America. - Tosh Berman

Read it here:  ARCHITECT OF STARDOM: Irving Mills and Duke Ellington

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

This morning I uploaded my latest podcast which is yours truly reading the Marcel Duchamp chapter from my book "Tosh."  Lun*na added my theme song which is something I put together based on her sewing machine noise/music.  It works well in the context of a theme song (of sorts).

Yesterday was a sad day due to the burning of the Norte-Dame Cathedral in Paris.  I always see that building/structure as something from the 11th-century as well as gothic literature.  Even without the poetry of the place, I feel that the building has its own life.  Also as a building, it's location is essential when I'm walking around without a map.  I always recognized the Norte-Dame from a distance, so I know that I'm close to various other locations in that area of Paris.  For instance, Shakespeare and Company.  Without the Norte-Dame, I think I could never find that fantastic bookstore.  It was late yesterday that I realize it is a functioning church, but I never see Norte-Dame in that light.   To me, it's a scary, beautiful building.  The church itself has no meaning beyond its beautiful structure and textures.

It's funny how some people react 24-hours later (the Americans, who are excellent in having an opinion as soon as possible) on the possibility of the Cathedral being re-built, and its ability to raise a great deal of money to do so.  Some Americans are commenting on isn't it better to give money to starving children, or whatever the pet cause is at the moment.  Same as some who complain about Bernie Sanders being a millionaire.   What does that have to do with the issues he brings up.  For some reason, people feel that a Socialist shouldn't have money.   Alternatively, it is hypocritical to have money and yet for fair representation in politics.   For one, I think those who bring this up are just pissed off that Senator Sanders even exist on this world.   With respect to the Church, the Norte-Dame Cathedral is not just a building, but an iconic spot for the last 800 years.  Buildings do come and go, but the Cathedral represents more than just a structure.

After finishing up the Podcast, I worked on my piece for the Please Kill Me website. We have been going back and forth on this particular essay, and I enjoy the communication with their editor.  Everything he has brought up is something to make the piece better.  As a writer, working with an editor is the best relationship.   I love them.

I just got back from a walk through Downtown Los Angeles. Beside Echo Park Lake, I love wandering around Downtown due to its architecture.  I always get the feeling that I need a martini while I'm in Downtown, but I avoid hitting a bar at an early hour.  I drink, but I'm not yet a full alcoholic.  At 64 I'm always looking for an adventure.

Friday, April 5, 2019

People who know or think they know me will be surprised to know that I never heard a Charles Mingus album until today.  I went to Rockaway Records on Glendale Blvd, to purchase a British Electric Foundation (BEF) album, and by chance, I came upon Mingus' "Oh Yeah."   I have read that one of David Bowie's favorite albums was "Oh Yeah," and I'm starting a collection of 'Bowie's favorite albums.'   To know an artist you must know what that artist have read or listened to, or both. I played "Oh Yeah" twice in a row and found it to be incredibly charming.   I suspect that it's an unusual Mingus album because he sings on it, and plays the piano.  His main instrument (at least to the general public) is the bass.   I'm aware that he has put out an album called "Mingus Plays Piano," which is him improvising on the keyboard.  That should be an interesting listening experience. 

For the Please Kill Me website please kill me.com I'm writing a series on various music managers and how they influence or even made 'music culture.'   I'm doing all the obvious rock n' roll managers but will dwell into some of the more obscure hustlers and shakers that made a huge contribution to the music (and film) world.  I always had the obsession to see the Wizard at work behind the curtain, so this is something I'm looking forward to.  One of the key inspirations is a book by Johnny Rogan called "Starmakers & Svengalis" The History of British Pop Management."   In this book, he interviews the major managers of various rock n' roll figures and it is endlessly fascinating.  After I complete the rock n' roll managers, I'm thinking of doing a series on book publishers, who are equally interesting, and of course, all become tastemakers of sorts. 

Very rarely do I mention politics in my diary or journal due that I find that subject matter distasteful.  Not always, but since Trump became President, it seems such conversations become aimlessly inane. One thing he succeeds is to make politics into a vulgar spectacle.  It has always been tasteless, even at its best times, but this is true now on a decadent level.  To even comment on anything to do with that man becomes drawn into a level of stupidity that is hard to digest on an empty stomach.   As a practice or even a skill, I refuse to read or listen to any of his speeches, or interviews. When I do read about his administration it has to be a critique or straight journalism.   For one, whenever he opens his mouth a lie comes out, so therefore he's not a good source for information.  The irony, of course, is that he himself is 'fake' media.   He has nothing of value, and he cheapens the world around him.  A horror show takes place on a daily basis, and I just refuse to watch the pornography he produces on a regular basis. 

I'm feeling a touch under the weather.  I hope nothing 'sick' comes my way.  I want to stay busy by working. 

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

I wrote a piece for Please Kill Me website on the legendary and brilliant Scott Walker.  His death was a terrible blow to me, and in many ways, perhaps my last pop music or cultural idol.  When he died last week it was hard for me to put in words how I feel about him and his music.  Gillian and Alan at Please Kill Me offered a platform to do an essay on him, and I did so.  Scott Walker.

Yesterday I spent the entire day at our home, while it was being fixed for various leaky pipes throughout the house.  I'm somewhat like a cat who doesn't like their place disturbed by neighbors or other animals.  I felt trapped in my room as the workers tore away the downstairs ceiling, and then eventually work on both of our bathrooms.  Of course, once they started to do serious work in my bathroom, I immediately needed to use the toilet.   Which got me thinking that perhaps we should get a Japanese computer toilet that can blow, wipe, and practically dress you up again after using the bog. But that will be expensive, and we decided that the American toilet is perfectly fine for our daily habitual use.  

After being stuck all day (and night) yesterday in my office space at home, I decided to spend the afternoon at Artbook at Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles to do my work.  I officially work for them, by writing on books for their Facebook page.  But I also do my own writing as well as studying culture, which means long hours reading posts on Facebook.  It's chilly inside the store and in all the galleries, so I decided to sit in the 'farm' part of the complex to do work.  I'm here with the chickens and herbs and personally, I feel that the chickens here are working harder than me. 

"Scott Walker: Man of Mystery" by Tosh Berman (Please Kill Me )

My appreciation and a little essay on one of the great figures in music.  The late and always fantastic Scott Walker.  

Tosh Berman on Scott Walker (Please Kill Me)

KENNETH PITT: The Architect Who Turned David Jones into David Bowie by Tosh Berman, for PLEASE KILL ME

KENNETH PITT: The Architect who Turned David Jones into David Bowie

My essay/article for the "Please Kill Me" website on the late manager Kenneth Pitt who was David Bowie's first manager. This is the first in a series called “Architects of Stardom”.  Tosh Berman

Interview with Tosh Berman on The Please Kill Me website

Photo by Wallace Berman

Please Kill Me Interview with Tosh Berman

Tosh Berman with Gillian McCain discussing "TOSH: Growing Up in Wallace Berman's World" at McNally Jackson (Brooklyn)

Tosh Berman discusses "TOSH" with Gillian McCain at McNally Jackson Books in Brooklyn. 

Event date:
Thursday, February 21, 2019 - 7:00pm
Event address: 
76 N. 4th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11249

Christopher Gibbs on Tosh Talks

The latest talk on "Tosh Talks" on Rolling Stones' associate and friend Christopher Gibbs. I wrote about Gibbs for Please Kill Me website. Watch my program, and also read the essay/article:https://pleasekillme.com/mick-jagger-christopher-gibbs/ - Tosh Berman

"Mick Jagger's Shadow Is Gone" by Tosh Berman (for PLEASE KILL ME)

From the film "Performance"

Here is my piece on the legendary and always fascinating the late Christopher Gibbs.  Read it here: 

https://pleasekillme.com/mick-jagger-christopher-gibbs/?utm_source=PKM+Newsletter&utm_campaign=4cb4119012-PKM_Weekly_Newsletter_8_10_18&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4491fdd1df-4cb4119012-261917027&mc_cid=4cb4119012&mc_eid=f9f7b6687e

Richard Lloyd Everything is Combustible on Tosh Talks

My little commentary on a very fine memoir by Richard Lloyd, regarding his years with the band Television, as well as a great history of the CBGB's decade in NYC.   Excellent book.  If you have the chance please subscribe to my YouTube channel.  Thanks, Tosh Berman