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Greg Kihn



Last Updated: 9/9/2009

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Status: Single
City: BERKELEY
State: California
Country: US
Signup Date: 12/15/2005

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Tuesday, September 15, 2009 
I spent the weekend in Vegas doing a charity fund-raiser for Big Brothers and Big Sisters.  Let me begin by saying how good it felt to be helping out such a great cause like Big Brothers and Sisters.  The limo driver who drove me in from the airport told me that he had a Big Brother when he was growing up in St. Louis, and he couldn't say enough good things about the program.  Small world.

I got to the Venetian Resort and Casino and checked into my suite (which they comped, yoohoo!) and decided to slip downstairs to one of the many restaurants in the casino and grab some lunch.  I had soup and salad.  The bill was $33!  It was good though...

The charity event was in a nightclub called Lavo in the Palazzo Casino.  Wow, what a place!  I got there early to find the Godfather of Las Vegas, Mark Wayman, who organized he event, waiting for me.  We hugged and went over the evening's events which I was supposed to host.  A word here about the Godfather.  I've known Mark for years and I can tell you that he has a heart of gold and does so much for so many charities, that he is simply known as "The Godfather" and he wears a zoot suit when he wants to be noticed.  He is legendary for networking all over Las Vegas and he knows all the key people in every hotel and casino.  I am proud to count him as one of my friends.

 

Anyway, I'm sitting at a table with Corbin Bernsen (the actor) who it turns out is a very nice and normal guy (unlike most movie stars I have met) and the original Rudy, the former Notre Dame football player who was the subject of the movie "Rudy" and a hell of a nice guy.



Anyway, I'm talking to Corbin and Rudy and I get up to take my turn at the microphone and I see this attractive woman about my age sitting just behind the podium (Actually, as it turns out, she was three days younger than me!)  I sat down next to her to stay close to the podium because I have stuff to do all during the performance.  So, we start talking and I find out that she's a very intelligent, funny lady, a pleasure to hang with.  So, she asks my what I do.  I said, "Actually, I'm a former rock star."  And she says, "Really?  Actually, I'm a former State Senator!"  Talk about a shock!  It was Sandra Tiffany, former Senator from Nevada!  We chatted for a while, then when the event was over, we walked out together and turned a few heads!  I must say, she was a pleasure to talk to and I really enjoyed it.  I never had a conversation with a real Senator before.



Here we are leaving the party!



Ha!  I just want to see if you were still paying attention!  Of course, that picture is Ann Margaret and the Kang in Viva Las Vegas!  Get your mind out of the gutter!  

By the way, on the way out I ran into Rick Nielson and Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick.  They are in Vegas at the Las Vegas Hilton to perform Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band live!  What a concept!  Nobody sings the Beatles better than Robin Zander of Cheap Trick.  Rick said they were having a ball rehearsing it with an orchestra and setting up for the concert.  They are there until Sept 23.  It's a great show to see while in Vegas and splendid time is guaranteed for all.  These guys are truly one of my favorite bands over the years.

11:32 PM 
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Sunday, September 13, 2009 
There's one more gig left this summer for the Greg Kihn Band!  It's in Hollister this Saturday at the Guerra Winery at Peppertree Ranch, and we'll be performing on the green.  This is going to be a real blow-out and I can't wait!  Experience this outdoor amphitheater nestled in a vineyard in the majestic foothills with sweeping vistas.
This is a FREE event, however, only limited number of tickets are available for the public.

In connection with this concert, Boulder Creek Guitars is auctioning off a beautiful 12-string acoustic guitar on line.  You can find it all on the front page of the KFOX website, along with a link to eBay, where the auction is going on all week until 10:09a.m.  This Boulder Creek Signature Series 12-String acoustic guitar is a real beauty.  I have one exactly like it and I play it everyday.

I have a black one just like this.  I'll be using it at the gig on "Remember" and any other acoustic songs we happen to do.  The fact that these Signature Series guitars have no front sound hole means that they don't feed feed back like a regular acoustic guitar.  That's important to me at live gigs.  I remember using this at the Shoreline Amphitheater at this year's Kihncert and the sound of it coming through the massive P.A. at the Shoreline was phenomenal.  The bass and the high end were all there perfectly.  



You can make your on-line bids at eBay right now.  Bidding starts at $299.  These Boulder Creek Guitars are unbelievable.  They have a revolutionary new way to brace the front of the guitar that allows it to vibrate freely and it really gives these instruments a great sustained tone.  Plus they have state of the art electronics built in.  That makes these Boulder Creek Guitars the best sounding guitars around.  I love mine!  

Here's the link to the on-line auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250498686602

This is a great opportunity to own a great guitar at a great price and help a great cause.  Please get your bids in soon, I'd hate for you to miss out.

And I'll see you in Hollister on Saturday!  The Greg Kihn Band is scheduled to go on at 6:00pm.  We will be preceded by the Robert Berry Band (who will be pulling double duty as bassist for the GKB and leader of the RBB) and the Shanks.  Let's have a glass of wine together.  Guerra Cellars makes fabulous wine, and it will be flowing freely all day, so you might want to pace yourself. 

The gig is free but you have to be on my guest list because of limited room.  Register for the guest list at theKFOX.COM website. 
11:29 PM 
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Thursday, September 10, 2009 
Our 13th anniversary was yesterday and not much happened.  It was just another day.  Isn't that the essence of radio?  It's a marathon, not a sprint.  We don't judge radio shows by the day, but rather than by the year, or by the decade.  It's all in the long run.  So, maybe when it's 15 years we'll stop and smell the roses, but for now, we've got radio shows to do!

As I've said before, it's truly a privilege to have this job.  I love it.  It's a sacred quest to be on the radio every morning, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.  Every day is a new adventure and you never know when you leave the house in the morning, what's going to happen that day.  I'll say one thing- it's never boring.  Stuff is happening all the time! 

The next GKB gig is coming up on Sept. 19 in Hollister!  Don't forget!  I look forward to seeing all of you there.  Keep in mind that it's a free gig but you need a ticket.  Check yesterday's blog for instructions. 

I'll be in Las Vegas this weekend for a big charity event at the Palazzo.  I'll be hosting a benefit for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, a worthy cause.  If you're in the neighborhood, drop in.  We're trying to raise some money here.

I am awaiting the results of all my medical tests from Tuesday.  I suspect that it will take a few days until I hear from my doctor.  I should be fine, but I won't relax until I know for sure.

Praying Mantids Update!   I am down to three praying mantises.  All three are healthy and growing.  Their names are Amadeus, Picasso, and Matisse.  Picasso was having some problems but appears to be fine now.  Amadeus is fully grown, with wings and a bright green color.  She eats moths from the garden and the occasional cricket.  The other two still have one more final molt before they are fully grown.  I'll shoot some video soon so you can see.  

One final note for today: I will be meeting Julie DeMaria of Operation Care and Comfort today right after the show.  I've got another load of stuff for her to send to the troops.  Please don't forget.  As long as our guys are over there, we'll support them.  You can always drop off your troop support items off here at the station, I'll make sure it gets collected and sent out.  Thank God for people like Julie!
11:27 PM 
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Wednesday, September 09, 2009 
Don't forget, the next Greg Kihn Band gig is Sept. 19 at Peppertree Ranch in Hollister! 

Experience this outdoor amphitheater nestled in a vineyard in the majestic foothills with sweeping vistas.

This is a FREE event, however, only limited number of tickets are available for the public. Click here to reserve tickets for you and a friend.
*Free tickets available while supplies last.


A portion of the proceeds to benefit:
Gavilan College Educational Foundation 
San Benito County Rotary
Hope for a Cure 
San Benito County Spanish Club  
The San Benito County Economic Development Corp. 
11:26 PM 
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Friday, September 04, 2009 
I got some nice responses from my blog yesterday about Bill Graham.  I have wonderful memories of Big Bill and I miss him deeply.  I wasn't planning on blogging about Bill Graham, but a chance sighting of his portrait backstage at the Shoreline on Wednesday night prompted some memories.  Thanks to all the listeners out there who responded out of respect for Bill.  

By the way, you can read my favorite Bill Graham story, "The Magic Mirror Of Winterland" at this web address on the Greg Kihn MySpacePage: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=297428876&blogID=352408937

The weekend in looming up ahead and I am ready to relax after a hectic week.  With Labor Day coming up, most of us will be taking a three day weekend.  In addition to that, I am taking Tuesday off to spend a day taking medical tests.  No, there's nothing wrong with me, I just want to get screened for all the usual stuff a man does when he gets to be my age.  I'd probably ignore it all if I was still a single guy, but my wife insists that I get checked out.  So, I have a whole bunch of tests on Tuesday.  I'll be probed and prodded, pinched and poked.  I won't list all the tests here, but it's a full slate, and I'll probably be walking funny the next day, so wish me luck...

This would be a great weekend to get together with your family.  I recommend it.  I'll be seeing mine, of course.  Spend some time with your kids if possible.  Remember, these are memories you can't make up later, so enjoy them now while you can.  Life is a beautiful thing.  Don't waste a single moment of it.

Hopefully, I'll get some creative writing done this weekend.  I am working on a  new movie script that is coming along just great!  I can't tell you more than that, except that it is a rock and roll comedy.  I'm dying to tell you more, but I have to wait until it's finished and registered. 

Oh, by the way- Charlie Watts is NOT LEAVING THE STONES!  That whole story was bogus and I felt like a fool for posting it!  You really have to watch these Internet news stories- a good percentage of them are whacked.  I apologize for being part of it.  That won't happen again, I promise.

Did you like my illustrated discography earlier this week?  I had fun putting it together.  Next week I am thinking about posting an illustrated bibliography of all my books and short stories.  Would that interest you?  I hope so.  See ya next week! 
11:24 PM 
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Thursday, September 03, 2009 
At the Shoreline Amphitheater for the Summer Send Off Concert for KFOX, I was back stage looking around.  It was great to see my old friends in Cheap Trick again.  Robin Zander introduced me to his wife and kids (he takes them on the road!), Rick Nielson and I relived some old times, and Bun.E. Carlos still has the same set of drums!



I was on the side of the stage watching Cheap Trick with Rick Allen, the drummer for Def Leppard, and he pointed out that Bun E. was playing a vintage set of 1965 Champagne Ludwigs (like Ringo used to play) and how good they sounded.  Bun E. has lost a lot of weight since last year and he's looking good.  Rick, the world's most beloved one-armed drummer, is one of the nicest guys in R&R, and had a lot of good things to say about supporting the troops.  Now, that's my kind of guy!

Let's talk about Rick Allen for a minute.  He's got this charity called the Raven Drum Foundation to support the troops and vets.  Last night he had over 200 wounded warriors at the show.  I met a few.  It was inspirational.  God bless Rick for doing that.  I wish more rock musicians would get involved.  As far as Rick goes, that guy has my complete respect for supporting the troops.  Right on, Rick!

I happened to see a large framed portrait of Bill Graham displayed backstage.  I stood and stared for a minute.  It really brought back some memories.  Bill loved the Shoreline and was there to personally oversee every concert.  Bill encouraged me in my early days, as he did for many bands, booked us whenever he had the chance, and generally made life as a rock and roll musician better.

One of Bill's longtime employees, a guy I've known for 25 years, asked me what BGP stood for.  You know, BGP Productions?  Bill's old company?  I said, "no, tell me."
He said BGP stands for "Bill's Gone, Pal!"  So true, so true.  

 

Where would R&R be without Big Bill?  Rock and roll used to be the place for individualists, iconoclasts, and rebels- men with vision.  It was a place where entrepreneurs made their fortunes.  

Nowadays, everything is corporate, but back then, it was one man's vision- Bill Graham.  Every gig bore his personal stamp.  I liked Bill, he was a good friend and a nice guy.  I miss him.  R&R could use guys like that again. 

Bill's gone, Pal.  

Indeed.

He sure is. 
11:20 PM 
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Wednesday, September 02, 2009 
Charlie Watts, the original drummer for the Rolling Stones, has quit the band!  Shocking but true.  I'm gonna miss him.  Not only is he a great drummer, but he's got his own style unlike all the other rock and roll drummers.  Charlie plays the drums softly, unlike most drummers.  He was trained as a jazz drummer so he holds the sticks loosely and plays with a feather touch, in stark contrast to John Bonham who hit as hard as he could.



I met Charlie when The Greg Kihn Band opened for the Stones back in 1983 at the Seattle Kingdome, which has since been torn down.  Two shows- 80,000 people per show.  That's big.



Bill Graham took me backstage to the inner sanctum of the Stones and introduced me around.  There they were, all the famous faces that you know and love- Mick, Keith, Ron, and Charlie. 

Charlie sat down next to me on the couch and we chatted for about a half an hour.  What did we talk about?  We talked about the gig.  Charlie told me to, "Play it like it's a small club and don't overplay."  He also cautioned me to watch my volume on the big stage, but the Stones play louder than anybody!  Was he pulling my leg?  No, he was serious, too much volume ruins the set, he told me.  

Of all the Stones I met that day, Charlie was the nicest and most talkative one.  Just a genuine guy,

By the way, the Stones are already talking to Keith's drummer in his band the Expensive Winos, Charlie Drayton, as a replacement.   
11:18 PM 
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Tuesday, September 01, 2009 

The Summer Send Off Concert with Def Leppard, Cheap Trick, and Poison is tomorrow night!  The Shoreline Amphitheater is ready, the seats are clean, the lawn is mowed, the hot dogs are ready, everything is primed to rock.  All that's left is you.  

I can't wait.  This should be a great show- three great bands, one great night.  A splendid time is guaranteed for all.  

I'll be hanging out backstage with my buddies in Cheap Trick.  I first met them in London in 1978 on the set of the English TV show The Old Gray Whistle Test hosted by Whispering Bob Harris, who spoke very low and Rick Neilson couldn't hear.  We became friends and over the years I have run into him countless times on the road.  Of course, I've had him on the show many times since then.  Rick is an Apple Computers fan and we've visited the campus a few times.

Brett Michaels of Poison is from Maryland and grew up in the same area as me so we do have a few things in common besides music.  We both grew up with the Baltimore taste of Old Bay Seasoning.  Brett is a super nice guy and women love him.  Maybe some of his charm will rub off on me, I could use it.

By all accounts, Def Leppard is tearing up the tour so far.  These guys are as tight as a band can be these days.  You won't believe how many great songs they have until you see them live.  Their set list features hit after hit, all quality material from top to bottom.  It's truly amazing.  

Look for me- I'll be introducing the bands on the stage- that's my job.  Of course, my main job will be having fun (and I intend to do just that tomorrow night!)   

I'll see you there.  Don't be late.
11:16 PM 
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Monday, August 31, 2009 
After EMI we floundered around for a bit.  

Various record companies released the greatest hits package again and again.  Since we had always been popular in Europe, many European record companies competed for the rights to release and repackage the hits again.  Some interesting compilations came out around that time.  Here are a few (there are more but I couldn't find them).  
 
This one came out in Holland on the Corasong Label.



This one's English from Sanctuary Records.



Another Dutch one.



Can't forget Germany.



God bless new wave and punk because it gave a bunch of reissues a whole new chance in Europe, where record buyers favored compilations.  We were part of dozens of repackages.  



I used to collect them but I lost track after a while.  I always enjoy seeing Jeopardy or Breakup Song on some weird anthologies that I never would have thought of.  



It wasn't until recently (a few years ago) that we decided to record one of the annual KFOX Kihncerts for release as a live album.  This is significant to GKB fans as it was Steve Wright's last show as bass player for the GKB.  He had a stroke a few weeks later and has been laid up ever since.  Sony Records put out this live album with Ry Kihn on lead guitar.  I was so happy to finally include Ry, who is such a fine guitarist, but he wasn't on record until this.  



No doubt this list will continue to grow in time.  But, as of right now, it's the most complete list I can garner.  There are a ton of reissues out there these days- some legal, some not, and a bunch of Bootlegs which I can't post here.  



Did you enjoy this journey into the past?  I sure did.
9:34 PM 
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Friday, August 28, 2009 
The Illustrated Greg Kihn Discography Part Three:

OK.  Where was I?

After Jeopardy became a world-wide hit, there was considerable pressure to repeat our success.  Could I do it?  Could I crank out a never-ending stream of Jeopardy-like songs?  Could I follow-up?  Could I make a fortune and retire?  No.  Of course not.  I was unable to buckle down, I was too busy living the lifestyle of Joe Rockstar.  Oops.  Opportunities wasted is one my specialties.   I used to be such a nimrod. 

We made a few changes in the band around this time.  We added Pat Mosca on keyboards and Tyler Eng on drums. 

We also left Beserkley Records for greener pastures at EMI Records.  Another mistake, but who's keeping track at this point?  Citizen Kihn was our first non-Beserkley album ever. 

We released our next single "Lucky" at this time.  "Lucky" did pretty well and we had a great year.  We played with the Rolling Stones and preformed on Saturday Night Live.  Legendary sax player Steve Douglas did the solo on "Lucky" and the other single from the album "Boys Won't."  Steve was world famous for his solos on Phil Spector records.  Steve preformed with us on Saturday Night Live.  The album was Citizen Kihn and the year was 1984.  Oh, by the way, this was during my second marriage (to a blond model) and somehow she convinced me to put her in the videos for both singles in a starring role!  If you happen to see the video of "Lucky," she's the blond behind the counter at the supermarket.  Huey Lewis once told me, "You know, when you put your wife in the video, the career and the marriage are close to the end, man."  Boy, was he right!  What was I thinking?



Then came Joe Satriani.  Joe joined the band in 1985 and stayed a little over a year before he quit to pursue his solo career.  We had a great time recording this album at Fantasy Studios.  Joe was a joy to work with.   The album was Love and Rock & Roll and the year was 1985. 



We got dropped by EMI after two albums!  Reality set in.  Then we figured, what the hell, let's make a live album!  So we quickly cutUnKihntrollable with Jimmy Lyon on lead guitar and Doug Clifford (from Creedence) on drums.  That was in 1986, I believe.
 


The band floundered for a bit while I went through my drug period, but once I got my act together, it was time to revamp the band again.  This time out we added Ozzy Ahlers on keyboards and Doug Carlson on drums.  Jimmy Lyon was still part of the group during this period.  We went into Bay View Studios to cut our next album Kihn Of Hearts.  Jimmy's solo on "I Don't Know What To Believe In" was absolute magic.  Jimmy had never even heard the song before and he nailed it in one take!


Rhino Records contacted me at this point and wanted to put out a greatest hits CD so we compiled Kihnsolidation.  Rhino does a great job reissuing old records and I was quite pleased to be doing business with them.



I had gone back to my acoustic singer/songwriter roots for the next two studio albums.  Mutiny was recorded at Clean Cuts Studio in Baltimore by my old friend Jack Heyrman.  Jack has been a friend and supporter since I was in High School and he stepped up and did a great job recording it.  This was a difficult time for me because I was staying with my parents and my father was in the hospital dying.




In between my two acoustic albums, The King Biscuit Flower Hour released a Live Album of a show I had recorded much earlier with Joe Satriani.



Horror Show followed Mutiny as the second of my two Baltimore acoustic albums.  We actually cut a video for the song Horror Show in Baltimore in an old graveyard.  It was wonderful to be back in Baltimore again working with old friends like Jack Heyrman and Wall Mathews (who played brilliant guitar and percussion).  I think the song Horror Show is one of the best I've ever written.  I am proud of this album.  It was released in 1996 to coincide with the release of my first novel Horror Show published on Tor Books.  By the way, Horror Show (the novel, not the album) was nominated for the prestigious Bram Stoker Award for the best first novel of 1996.



Next time- Bootlegs, imports, weird compilations, and live shows!
9:32 PM 
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