Anyone who works in the technology world can rattle off at least 3 technologies or companies that showed great promise, only to either fizzle out or wind up a minor player in the industry. Yes there are always winners and losers, think Beta vs VHS or Blackberry devices vs Apple and Android. Blackberry had such a head start they should still be leading the industry, but I do not think you can even get a device anymore that says Blackberry on it.
The same is true in the entertainment industry. Whether by self-destruction like the Gallagher Brothers or Jim Morrison or just a failure to capitalize on opportunities or poor choices or just bad luck.
The notable band for today is a group called “Moby Grape”. I had never heard of this group and I am willing to bet many have not. I have not knowingly heard a song of theirs on the radio and a little research showed that while their debut album is considered by some critics to be the “perfect debut album”, Columbia records decided to release 5 singles all at once. The result was confused DJ’s and that confusion meant none of the 5 songs cracked the Top 40. Combine that with train wreck that the album release party became when band members were arrested for pot possession and contributing to the delinquency of minors, which happened on this day in 1967.
Tie all the above with the all-too-common conflicts between managers and bands that were endemic in the sixties and seventies and it is easy to understand how the wheels came off. They blamed the manager for not getting them a slot at the Monterey Pop Festival and then their manager claimed that he owned the name Moby Grape to block members from performing under that name starting in 1967 when he was fired by the band until the 90’s when after extensive legal battles they won claim to their name and their songs in 2005.
For some members, the damage was already done. Canadian Skip Spence struggled with drugs and mental health and spent much of his life in California mental institutions, dying in 1999.
Bassist Bob Mosley also suffered from emotional issues, quit the band and joined the Marines but was discharged for health reasons. Other members at one point tracked him down, finding him living in a Cardboard box.
Plans were afoot in 2005 to release a box set of their original albums but shortly after release, their old manager filed a lawsuit claiming he owned the artwork for the albums and the record company pulled the albums out of the store.
One can only imagine the frustration of being called the San Francisco Beatles to fading into relative obscurity.
So much like the technology industry, known for constant disputes and lawsuits.
Find more here about the best band you may never have heard of. Moby Grape Just Can't Catch a Break : NPR
Have a listen to a song from their debut album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfmphEwgHYQ
Some other bands that have struggled either with legal issues:
Boston
John Fogerty
Harlequin
Arriving on Earth Today:
1917 – Dean Martin, singer and actor, member of the Rat Pack
1921 – Tal Farlow, American jazz guitarist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIaseicCzFk
1922 – Beryl Booker, swing and cool jazz pianist
1932 – Tina Brooks, hard-bop jazz saxophonist
Content Inspired and borrowed from Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader:
Tik-Tok has elevated dance to a whole new level. From Bejeweled to Fancy Like – Walker Hayes, there are new dances constantly. But what about dances from the past. Not just The Mashed Potato or The Jerk, here are some dances you may have never knew existed.
-The Popcorn Boogaloo
-The Mother Popcorn
-The Popeye Waddle
-The Stupidity
-The Pigmy Grind
-The Big Egg
-The Bad Baboon
I have no idea what any of the above are, but if you do, post a video of yourself doing it.
Quote of the Day:
You’re not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on. - Dean Martin
CANCON to get you moving:
Sometimes some live music is just the thing to get the weekend started. This gem was originally released in 1973, the lyrics sound relevant still.
Live from the Budokan in Tokyo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-UuY6Y2Pfk
Comic of the Day:
Inspirobot:
Miss the Spark yesterday, @jimender2 will train you to do better.
https://community.spiceworks.com/t/spark-pro-series-6th-june-2024/1083776?u=repairatrooper
