SMALL STUFF

Rip It Up, Issue 34, 1 May 1980, Page 2

SMALL STUFF

Tricksters Carlos and Zander with Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson.

When convict F 48444 asked if he could have a guitar in his cell, he (Hugh Cornwell) was told, "we’ve got a bus driver in here, and he can’t have his bus." While Hugh-less the Stranglers did London shows with Peter Gabriel’s guitarist John Ellis and guests, including lan Dury (for "Peaches”), Member Nicky Tesco and Wilko Johnson. Upon release in early May, the Stranglers, will rehearse, then record and tour in Europe ... John Travolta is a dancing Texan in Urban Cowboy, a flick with a soundtrack compiled by Irvin Azoff (film's co-producer, Eagles manager etc). The 18 track 2LP set contains 16 newly recorded songs including performances by Eagles, Bob Seger, Boz Scaggs, Linda Ronstadt, Joe Walsh, Anne Murray, Kenny Rogers, Bonnie Raitt etc. A mechanical bull was installed in Travolta’s home and the film blurb tells us, "he practised daily, so that when he arrived in Texas, he had already become an expert rider.” ... London Calling? While in New York, Clash recorded basic tracks for a new album. They will add vocals and mix in London ... pop band, the Records have a new guitarist Jude Cole and a new album Crashes ... when last heard of, pop band, the Rolling Stones were mixing their newie, Emotional Rescue in New York ... only 37% of Japanese pop fans who purchased Wings tickets have sought refunds. Expect Paul McCartney and Denny Laine solos soon. Laine's is entitled Japanese Tears. The title track is about the bust... Bruce Springsteen guests on the next Graham Parker. Bruce performs "Thunder Road" in the film No Nukes. The film is 70% music, other performances featured include Jackson Browne "Running On Empty", Doobies "Taking It to the Streets” and Bonnie Raitt "Runaway". It’s rumoured that there are several reggae-ish tunes on the forever forthcoming Springsteen album ... next Tom Petty will once again be produced by Jimmy lovine. Rockpiie will open for Petty on next US tour. Expect a new Dave Edmunds album ... filming in Vancouver with Clash’s Paul Simenon are retired Pistols Jones and Cook. Producing the film, All Worked Up is LA vinyl veteran Lou Adler ... Virgin Films have purchased the Rock’n’Roll Swindle movie from the Pistols receiver ... Tom Robinson is recording with new band Sector Twenty Seven (527). Producing is Steve Lillywhite (Members, XTC) ... new Devo LA recording is entitled Freedom of Choice ... Brian Eno and David Byrne are look-

ing for a label for their completed album ... exBand man, Robbie Robertson has written and recorded three songs for the Carney soundtrack. The film stars Robertson and Gary Busey

... next Blondie will be with Donna Summer man, Giorgio Moroder who produced their current UK/USA hit, "Call Me” ... the 852 s are recording in Nassau. It’s a disco outing entitled Shreik. No seriously, it's Urgentismo and tracks include "Quiche Lorraine”, "Private Idaho" and "Devil In My Car" ... Stiff news: the label will market Madness on British TV, new UK release is The Last Compilation ... Until The Next One, Stiff New York signings are Dirty Looks, Plasmatics (fronted by ex-stripper Wendy Williams) and Feelies, the label’s office staff has released a single as Stiff All-Stars and finally Desmond Dekker has re-recorded his 1969 hit "Israelites” for Stiff ... lead singer of Inner Circle, Jacob Miller died in a car accident in Jamaica ... PIL man Jah Wobble has solo 45 out in UK, "Betrayal'’... star nest Studio 54 has been sold for five million bucks ... stars dabbling in production are Joe Jackson (reggae man Prince Lincoln), Deborah Harry (B Girls) and Jerry Harrison (Nona Hendryx, ex-Labelle) ... expect a Stevie Wonder and Count Basie collaboration on Motown ... new USA pressure group is Rock Against Ratings. Their target is boring radio programming ... no venue wants the Sham 69 fans so the band will not play London on their current UK tour ... whizz soul producer Thom Bell has founded his own label. Four Tops is first signing ... acts fired in April include Chuck Berry (Atlantic), Mekons (Virgin) and Richard Lloyd (Elektra). Epic have signed Betty Wright, Delbert McClinton and Garland Jeffreys ... trade mag Cashbox has axed its disco chart ... new lead singer for AC/DC is Brian Johnson, formerly lead vocalist for Scots band Geordie ... guests on Quincey Jones produced George Benson album are Stevie Wonder, Richard Tee, Lee Ritenour and Herbie Hancock ... in studios soon are Clark and Hillman (Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett producing), Starship lead vocalist, Mickey Thomas (Bill Szymczyk) and Dire Straits (Jimmy lovine) ... albums on the horizon are Interview Snakes and Ladders, PM I.PM (featuring Carl Palmer of ELP), BB King Now Appearing At Ole Miss (2LP live set), Frank Sinatra Trilogy: Past, Present & Future (3LP set), John Cooper Clarke Snap, Crackle and Bop, Humble Pie On To Victory (Steve Marriott, Jerry Shirley, Bobby Tench and Anthony Jones), Undertones Hypnotised, Phil Lynott Solo In Soho, Johnny Winter Raisin' Cain, Feelies Crazy Rhythms, Commodores Heroes, 999 Biggest Prize In Sport, Roxy Music Flesh and Blood, Devo Freedom of Choice (producer Bob Margouloff, was titled It’s Devo).