Iggy and Williamson in Detroit in 1973

Offices are full of people with past lives — and for more than two decades James Williamson kept his a secret. Before retiring last year, Williamson was the vice president of technology standards at Sony Electronics, where he traveled around the world developing compatibility guidelines for products. Former colleagues describe him as calm and analytical. He looks the part of a Silicon Valley exec — short white hair, suit jacket — and enjoys vacationing in Hawaii and playing tennis. A few years ago he took up the ukulele and the slack-key guitar. It was his first time picking up an instrument, he says, since the 1970s, when he played guitar for the Stooges, one of the most famous punk-rock bands of all time. (That would be his secret.)

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C, an E-flat, and G go into a bar. The bartender says: “Sorry, but we don’t serve minors.” So, the E-flat leaves, and the C and the G have an open fifth between them. After a few drinks, the fifth is diminished: the G is out flat.

An F comes in and tries to augment the situation, but is not sharp enough. A D comes into the bar and heads straight for the bathroom saying, “Excuse me, I’ll just be a second.”

An A comes into the bar, but the bartender is not convinced that this relative of C is not a minor. Then the bartender notices a B-flat hiding at the end of the bar and exclaims: “Get out now! You’re the seventh minor I’ve found in this bar tonight.” The E-flat, not easily deflated, comes back to the bar the next night in a 3-piece suit with nicely shined shoes.

The bartender (who used to have a nice corporate job until his company downsized) says: “You’re looking sharp tonight, come on in! This could be a major development.” This proves to be the case, as the E-flat takes off the suit and stands there au natural. Eventually, the C sobers up and realizes in horror that he’s under a rest. The C is brought to trial, is found guilty of contributing to the diminution of a minor, and is sentenced to 10 years of DS without Coda at an upscale correctional facility.

On appeal, however, the C is found innocent of any wrongdoing, even accidental, and that all accusations to the contrary are bassless. The bartender decides, however, that since he’s only had tenor so patrons, the soprano out in the bathroom, and everything has become alto much treble, he needs a rest and closes the bar.

Next I need a Robert Fripp action figure with adjustable stool…

Here’s a link to the original if you need to compare.

Part1:

Part 2:

This is most likely my least favorite song of all time. They played it every freaking hour on the radio back in 1980. These guys made the Knack seem talented. Bad lyrics, bad music, bad bad BAD. I’m sure they were a great band to see live, but since I hated them so much I never bothered.

Damn, that sucks.

Looking back to the early 1980′s, this song along with anything by Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger and Jackson Browne made me jump up and change the radio channel.

OK, Brigid has tagged me, so I must reply…

1) Tweaker, “Linoleum” – ex-NiN drummer Chris Vrenna + David Sylvian. How can you go wrong? Very haunting. Video available on YouTube.

2) And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, “And the Rest Will Follow” – damn, I love this album, and this is my fave song. Watch the video.

3) King Crimson, “Sleepless” – an oldie but a goodie. I had it on repeat on my iPod last week. Video

4) Porcupine Tree, “Blackest Eyes” – the best song from their album In Absentia. Starts off loud and bombastic, mellows, and then closes with a bang. Video

5) Sigur Rós, “Takk…” – haunting, beautiful, Icelandic!

6) Todd Rundgren’s Utopia, “Utopia Theme” – I can’t believe this album is now 32 years old. Very trippy, jazzy prog rock. 15 minutes long! This clip will give you an idea…

7) The Orb, “Slug Dub” – I defy you not to smile. Listen

Here are my favorite music videos: