Another 10 hot takes from 2018, a banner year for PKM
Because we share Nigel Tufnel’s attitude that the knob should be turned up to 11, we are offering a second batch of Christmas cookies, in the form of ten more stories that raised the roof at PKM in 2018. These are not “honorable mentions” or “consolation prizes”. They are every bit as good as the Top Ten. We just had some great stories this year and believe that they all deserve a second chance to make a first impression.
#11 HOW I LOST MY VIRGINITY TO STIV BATORS FROM THE DEAD BOYS – Marina Lutz
Nothing warms the heart quite like a tale of romance and adventure. This one begins in the nether regions of CBGB, where an aspiring actress falls for, and wins, the affections of the singer of her favorite punk band.
#12 JOHN LURIE ON ART, POLITICS, AND THE BEAUTY AND HORROR IN THIS LIFE – Todd McGovern
In this his second interview with PKM, Lounge Lizard founder, movie actor, TV fishing show host and artist fills in the gaps of his decade-long disappearance from NYC. Though mostly working on his painting, in an undisclosed tropical location, Lurie talks about some new music he released under the name Marvin Pontiac.
#13 MISS PAMELA: MENTORED BY BEEFHEART AND ZAPPA – Pamela Des Barres
This is a touching coming-of-age story about a lovely and lively 16-year-old girl from the San Fernando Valley who is led down (up?) the path of enlightenment by two of rock & roll’s bona fide geniuses. It has a happy ending, too!
#14 ARE WE NOT DEVO? – Benny Munday
In this fascinating, wide-ranging interview, co-founder, bassist and conceptual artist behind DEVO Gerald V. Casale talks about the origins of the de-evolution concept, the Kent State University shootings and channeling the anger and outrage into his music.
#15 THE ‘5TH RAMONE’ SPEAKS! – Michael Shelley
Monte A. Melnick’s association with the Ramones dates back to junior high school when he became friends with Tommy (Erdelyi) Ramone, a connection that led to him becoming the band’s tour manager. In that capacity, he traveled with the band for most of their 2,263 live shows and survived the tell tales in a new book and to our correspondent Michael Shelley.
#16 THE DESTRUCTIVE CONCERT THAT GOT JUDAS PRIEST BANNED FROM MADISON SQUARE GARDEN – Mike Derrico
Sifting through the myths and legends that have grown over the years, Mike Derrico arrives at the truth of what really happened on the night of June 18, 1984. What began as another raucous Judas Priest concert ended with explosions. Hear it for yourself: audio of the show is provided.
#17 DOUG YULE: THE FORGOTTEN VELVET – Richie Unterberger
Richie Unterberger, esteemed rock & roll chronicler and author of a book about the Velvet Underground, shared a lengthy interview with the one member of the band who is left out of most chronicles: multi-instrumentalist and singer Doug Yule. After reading his thoughtful, revealing and detailed remembrances, you come to realize how unfair that really is.
#18 MICK JAGGER’S SHADOW IS GONE – Tosh Berman
When Christopher Gibbs died in July, it seemed a good time to take stock of the British aesthete’s influence on the look and aura of the Rolling Stones early in their career. Gibbs, a man of wealth and taste, was a tastemaker and trendsetter who served as a mentor for the ever-aspiring Mick Jagger. Tosh Berman expertly examines why that was.
#19 DEBBIE HARRY: THE QUEEN OF NEW YORK – Amy Haben
Longtime PKM favorite Debbie Harry is still, at 72, cool, beautiful and touring with Blondie. Our dauntless correspondent Amy Haben jumped on the tour bus for a trip up to Toronto with the band.
#20 LIFE IN FRANK ZAPPA’S PAD, 1968 – Pauline Butcher Bird
Pauline Butcher moved from London to the Hollywood Hills, to become a live-in assistant to Frank Zappa. The time she chronicles in this piece, and the accompanying book, Freak Out: My Life With Frank Zappa, was both creative and chaotic. Anyone and everyone seemed to pay a visit to Zappa’s pad in those days.
Thanks for reading PKM in 2018. Much more cool stuff planned for 2019! Stay tuned.
