It’s the end of summer and we still have so much going on that I get to be involved with!  Cool.  Def Leppard and Heart are playing at the Sleep Country Amphitheater on Wednesday and we’ll be there broadcasting before the show.  Amy’s all amped about going backstage.  Me too.  If you want to join us, maybe you should enter the KGON contest to do just that.

I’m a huge football fan, college football especially, and so far it’s kicked my ass this season.  I know, just the first week of games and all that, and I will root for BOTH Oregon teams until the Civil War and then I have to serve my Ducks, because I was one and raised one.  But Beaver Believers, I’m with you until then!  GO OREGON TEAMS!  Also I’m an NFL fan and am so glad they worked out the squabble before we were left without a season. 

Back to work, and then HELLO WEEKEND! 

I’m so glad I’m back though. Thank you for all your wonderful calls and notes on Facebook saying that you’re glad I’m feeling better!  Let’s rock the rest of the decade! 

Love you ALL,

Iris

Seriously though, thank you for all the wonderful calls I got today.  Thank you to my friends who went to my various doctor appointments with me, brought me flowers, candy, cards, surprises, food, etc.   Thank you to Bob, Celestino, and Jose for the last part of the deck repairs at home.  Thank you to my wonderful co-workers who didn’t call me once for a work related question.  Thank you to Jeff Mitchell who filled in for all that time and for his continued friendship.  Thank you to the KGON managers for having faith that I would beat the health issues, and thank you to my team of doctors who made it happen.  And most of all, thank you to my husband Marty who was the most amazing caregiver ever.  When he took those vows decades ago, I don’t think he really thought “in sickness” would be what it has for the past couple of years. 

So, I’m WAY better than I’ve been in two whole years, and looking forward to seeing Def Leppard and Heart at the Sleep Country Amphitheater!  I’m ready to rock!

Cheers,

Iris

This last surgery is hopefully the LAST SURGERY EVER.  I’m pretty encouraged actually.  I don’t want to get into the gritty details because talking about it makes even me squirm, and I’ve had to deal with it.  Let’s just say that I’ve learned more medical terms than I ever hoped to.  I’m getting better and intend to be back rockin’ the KGON airwaves on August 29th.  Until then be good to Jeff Mitchell who is filling in with his usual professionalism and gusto.  Thanks Jeff!

Time for lunch.  More when I feel like writing and have something to say.

Iris

In school I remember talent shows.  They were sometimes remarkable to us, like when the quiet nerd could actually kick ass and did a karate demonstration.  Or the brother and sister who wrote and sang cool folksy songs and could play guitars.  Or my friend who twirled fire baton.  There was always a fun surprise and it was a reason to have assembly instead of another class.  That was always a welcomed interruption.

Also TV has had talent shows for years.  The one I remember the most was “Star Search” with Ed McMahon.  My friend Gene Houck was on the show and won!  Nothing wrong with a talent competition.  Some of the winners will thrive like Carrie Underwood, and some will fade into the “where are they now” category in the years ahead. 

So, here comes American Idol auditions to Portland, Oregon for the first time ever.  Okay, how many “Portlandia” types will show up and be goofy for the cameras?  How many will flip off the camera after a really rediculous and awful audition?  How many traffic hang ups will result because of poor planning on the date of this thing?  Yes, it’s the same weekend as the big Waterfront Blues Festival, and even though it’s across the river, it’s always a nasty mess trying to get anywhere on that Friday before the holiday.  Here’s the press release we got here at the station this morning:

American Idol Auditions Come to Portland for the First Time at the Rose Garden Jul 2

Pre-registration Jun 30 – Jul 1

Who:                Open call audition for the eleventh season of AMERICAN IDOL

 When:              Thu – Sat, Jun 30 – Jul 2 ● Varies

Where:             Rose Quarter – Rose Garden

What:               PRE-REGISTRATION

(Thursday, June 30 & Friday, July 1)

 - Wristbands will be distributed to auditioners during pre-registration (tables open Thursday and remain open until Saturday morning).  Once auditioners obtain their wristbands, they will be asked to return to the stadium early morning Saturday, July 2 to line up for their audition.

 - Available press coverage includes: B-roll, photos, interviews with auditioners, their friends/family members and interviews/photos with an available AMERICAN IDOL producer (pending availability).

 - Media check-in for pre-registration will begin at 6:00 AM on both Thurs/Fri. Please note that these times are subject to change.

 AUDITIONS

(Saturday, July 2)

***NO MEDIA IS PERMITTED INSIDE THE VENUE DURING AUDITIONS***

So they want all the media until they get to the actual auditions and that’s what we get to see in the first part of the show.  When you have the really good with the really bad.  I just want someone really great to come out of Portland and win.  Hey, why not?  Two 16 year old country kids got to the finals last time.  I mean REALLY????  This time we need a rocker from Portland. 

Can you sing?  Can you sell it on stage?  Then show up and do your city proud!

He was bigger than life, and as Bruce used to say when introducing him on stage “It’s the Master of the Universe,” “Socrates of the Saxophone,” “King of the World,” “The Big Kahuna,” “Prince of the City” and the “Duke of Paducah.”  Just one of those people who you think will never leave too early.  I know the age of people isn’t really relevant in these things, but he left us too early. 

The E Street Band were going to go out on tour in the Fall, and now, who knows?  I can’t even imagine who they would replace Clarence with.  Danny Federici passed in 2008 and was replaced, but Clarence was so hugely visible and nobody played with the power of the Big Man.

I didn’t hear the news via any electronic media because it was a weekend and we had things to do around the house.  I picked up the Sunday paper and was enjoying a cup of coffee when I read the story.  It just hit me in the gut.  Another one of those moments where you realize things have changed and you’re not ready.  I put on “Born to Run” and listened while doing things around the house with tears pouring down my cheeks.  I don’t like this kind of change.

But of course the music and memories live on.  Thank God for that. 

When people ask me what is the best concert I ever went to it’s an easy answer.  Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at the Portland Paramount in 1975.  It was after the “I have seen the future of Rock and Roll” comment and after Springsteen had appeared on the cover of Newsweek and Time simultaneously.  Four friends drove to Portland from Eugene to see the show and it changed our lives forever.  No show has even come close to how I felt that night.  I have a personal “Top 10″ list of shows, but that show is so far above the rest because it was deeply moving, and took me to a place that no concert before or after ever did. 

So, rest well dear Clarence.  The world is missing you big time big man!

Mostly I just like to go to Edgefield.  I love the venue.  I love the art.  I love the food.  So this year, one show for me, so I’m looking forward to this Friday.

I’m also planning my night of Rush at the Sleep Country Amphitheater, which I also adore because my friend Keevin works there and always takes care of me.  I plan on making it to the Doobie Brothers and War show there as well. 

After that, it’s a crapshoot.  I go in for surgery….again….on July 13th, so there’s massive recovery time and if summer ever arrives for a long stay, I’ll be enjoying my deck at home.  Maybe.  The deck that we built 15 years ago is sadly slumping with rotting beams.  We’ve had 2 guys come out and look at it, none of which have returned with bids.  I’m losing hope for my backyard recovery.  

Oh well, I’ll enjoy what I can before I go under the knife again.  If I don’t get fixed this time, I’m just giving myself up for scientific experiments like in Monty Python’s “The Meaning of Life.”  Just don’t ask for my liver.

My infatuation with Roger Daltry started when I saw a poster in my favorite record store on Cannery Row called Odyssey Records. It was one of those great old vinyl vaults with lots of posters, black lights, incense, oils, rolling papers, and R. Crumb art that would disturb most parents at the time. It was a haven for me. I could spend HOURS in there, inhaling that sweet smoky perfume, listening intently to everything that was selected for in-store play, wondering if I would ever dare to buy that great poster of Dennis Hopper from “Easy Rider” flipping off the camera, and trying to be way cooler than I actually was. The poster of The Who featured Townshend in the front, but I was drawn to that blue-eyed lead singer.

Fast forward to the summer of 1970 when the film chronicle of “Woodstock” came to the Steinbeck Theater, also located on Cannery Row. The performance of The Who was something that lived in my dreams for years to come. Roger wearing that fringed jacket with no shirt and ripped abs…oh the things I would dream for years to come. 

Fast forward again to my first job in Eugene and the release of the album “Ride a Rock Horse,”  his solo album.  The cover alone was enough for me.  Good thing I liked the songs too.  I played it a lot at KFMY.  Then came the move to  Portland, Oregon, home of the Memorial Coliseum, where I would finally see The Who live in concert!  It’s ironic that I lived in the city where The Who played that legendary set at Monterey Pop and I didn’t see them until I moved to Oregon.  Ah well, it all worked out.  I’ve seen them several times now, and yes, even when Keith Moon was still with us.  I’ll never forget the wake at Gloria’s house after we heard the news of his death.  We were devastated. 

I’m glad they carried on through the years and that my son got to see them at the Rose Garden Arena last time they performed here in Portland.  I won’t miss a Who show.  Love them.  A lot.  And I’ve never met any member of The Who.    It’s time. 

My friend Nancy Walton actually had the coolest experience of working with Roger Daltrey when he was doing a showl for The History Channel called “Extreme History with Roger Daltrey” in Montana.  She told me some great stories about what a great “man’s man” he is.  He even gave her the recipe for his favorite potato soup, which she sent out in that year’s Christmas letter.  I still have it in a place of honor in the kitchen. 

I hope he is open to meeting with industry types backstage at the show this October.  I hope I wouldn’t say anything stupid, but I can’t guarantee that.  He’s such a hero to me, and just keeps getting better with age.  Rock on Roger.  See you in October, even if it is just from the seats at the Rose Garden Arena.

ROGER DALTREY TO PERFORM THE WHO’S LEGENDARY “TOMMY” ALBUM FROM START TO FINISH

On the heels of his recent sell out performance at The Royal Albert Hall in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, ROGER DALTREY is now taking The Who’s legendary rock opera TOMMY on the road.

The last time The Who toured Tommy live was in 1989. In the upcoming tour, Roger is pulling out all the stops with his stunning young band – Frank Simes (guitar), Scott Deavours (drums), Jon Button(Bass), Loren Gold (Keyboards) and SIMON TOWNSHEND, younger brother of PETE, (guitar) – and employing an exciting new array of visuals.

TOMMY is not only one of the most acclaimed and defining works of the rock era, it is an enduring album that resonates on radio to this day where it has found multi-generational appeal. Inducted into The Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998, the 20 million-selling double album also spawned a successful 1975 film of the same name–with DALTREY playing the title role–which re-underlined its place in the cultural firmament.

Commenting on the tour, Pete Townshend says ”Great to see Roger performing TOMMY with his band in 2011. I will be there in spirit and Roger has my complete and most loving support. Roger is touring his unique concert version of TOMMY using his faithful presentation of the original work as the backbone for a set of wider material. It is wonderful to hear the way Roger and his new band re-interpret the old Who songs.”

Throughout this tour, songs such as “Pinball Wizard,” “The Acid Queen,” “I’m Free,” “See Me, Feel Me” and “We’re Not Gonna Take It” promise to transport attendees into the world of this classic album with shuddering intensity and poetic power.

When DALTREY and his band performed TOMMY at the Royal Albert Hall, The Independent called the show “a faithful reading… The stand-outs, ‘I’m Free,’ ‘See Me, Feel Me’ and the anthemic climax of ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’ are rousing.” Afterwards the Who blogosphere was alight with comments from long standing fans lucky enough to see the show. These included comments like ”Roger nailed Tommy” and ”Last night’s concert was the best I’ve ever seen – what a great band!”

Roger describes the show and visuals as ”A Tommy Show for today’s audience from a different perspective.”

“TOMMY, an album that tells a story about a “deaf, dumb, and blind boy” who becomes the leader of a messianic movement, will always be seen as a turning point for the band,” adds DALTREY. “Within it, I found the new voice of The Who and the band found its stride in making that music, adjusting it, using all that knowledge that we had from jazz and the blues into making it work in a rock way.”

Tour dates, cities and venues:

3-Jul ALCESTER RAGLEY HALL
4-Jul GATESHEAD SAGE
6-Jul GLASGOW CLYDE AUDITORIUM
7-Jul MANCHESTER BRIDGEWATER HALL
9-Jul NOTTINGHAM ROYAL CENTRE
10-Jul NEWPORT CENTRE
12-Jul BRISTOL COLSTON HALL
13-Jul SOUTHEND CLIFFS PAVILLION
15-Jul GUILDFORD GUILFEST
16-Jul HAMPSHIRE BROADLANDS
17-Jul HARROGATE RIPLEY HOUSE
19-Jul HULL CITY HALL
21-Jul LONDON INDIGO 02
22-Jul NORWICH BLICKLING HALL
24-Jul EXETER POWDERHAM CASTLE

Okay, now to get to the UK…there’s always something.