HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BILLIE HOLIDAY!

Happy 111th birthday, Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959), one of the best jazz singers ever.

PROPAGANDA NO. 21 (PART 2)

PROPAGANDA NO. 21 (PART 1)

The roots of gothic literature eventually extended itself into popular music, in particular the genre called goth rock. In 1979 an English band consisting of vocalist Peter Murphy, guitarist Daniel Ash, bassist and keyboardist David J and drummer Kevin Haskins released the single, "Bela Lugosi's Dead", a nine-minute, reverb and delay-drenched single that was later considered the earliest goth rock song to be played over the airwaves. David J explained: "We were very influenced by reggae, especially dub. I mean, basically Bela was our interpretation of dub." However, the dark atmosphere of the song made it an altogether different take on the style.

Sleeve image for Bauhaus single "Bela Lugosi's Dead".

Generally considered an offshoot of post-punk, goth rock, while distinct, has proven to be somewhat elusive to categorically pin down with a simple definition. One source states "Gothic rock typically deals with dark themes addressed through lyrics and the music's atmosphere. The poetic sensibilities of the genre led gothic rock lyrics to exhibit literary romanticism, morbidity, existentialism, religious symbolism, or supernatural mysticism," and another, "Gothic rock features a distinct set of musical and aesthetic elements that set it apart from other genres. It's defined by its dark, cynical sound, with heavy basslines, atmospheric keyboards, and haunting vocals."

Goth rock had, and to a degree still does, have a loyal fan base. Many fanzines and even a few newsstand magazines have lauded the genre's appeal to fans of the darker side of rock and roll.

The leading publication was PROPAGANDA, edited by NYC-based photographer/journalist Fred H. Berger. It ran from 1982 and ceased print publication in 2002. Shown here today is the first part of issue #21 published in Spring 1994. Highlights are features on Dead Can Dance (saw them on their Spiritchaser tour in Seattle in 1994 and it was a near-religious experience), Johnny Indovina of Human Drama, Fields of the Nephilium, Miranda Sex Garden, Smashing Pumpkins (!) the Westgate Art Gallery and Anne Rice. 

R.I.P. OZZY

It was a warm June night in Southern California in 1970 and the Santa Ana wind was blowing dryly through the air. I recall it was a Friday and my sister drove us up to Westwood Village to hang out. We went into a Tower Records store and a large display right when you walked in assaulted my eyes. I was transfixed by the album cover, witchy and inviting.

What was this that stood before me? A figure in black called my name! And the title, Black Sabbath, was the only identifying description of what lurked within the record sleeve.

I bought it and carried it around with me the rest of the night until I got back home and dropped it on my record player spindle, put on my headphones (didn’t want to wake Mom and Dad!) and began to listen. Indescribably, a loathsome, deafening sound met my ears. This was not Led Zeppelin! This was not even Iron Butterfly or Steppenwolf. This was music from the Depths of Hell itself. I loved it and have ever since.

The "Prince of Darkness", the "Blizzard of Oz", has passed. Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath died less than three weeks after his farewell concert, Back to the Beginning, a fitting coda to a career with a band that changed the face of rock music. A great singer and showman, his "crazy train" will ride on the rails into legend.

Thanks for rocking my world, Ozzy.