Today, 34 years ago, Mick Jagger and David Bowie recorded their version of ‘Dancing In The Street’, a 1964 Martha Reeves and the Vandellas hit, for Live Aid. The two artists intended to perform the track together live with Jagger at the John F. Kennedy Stadium and Bowie at Wembley Stadium. Unfortunately, this was not possible as the satellite link-up would cause a half-second delay. Neither of the two was willing to mime their contribution which was the only solution to their problem. The single later became a #1 hit in the UK.
David Bowie
Wishing Eddie Kramer a Happy 77th Birthday
Eddie Kramer, South African producer and engineer, is celebrating his 77th birthday today. Regarded as a true rock icon, Kramer is known for working with some of music history’s biggest names including The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, David Bowie, Bad Company, The Beatles to name but a few. He is also celebrated for his long-term associations with Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Kiss. The South African moved to London where he began his recording career at legendary studios including Pye Studios, Regent Sound and Olympic Studios. Kramer engineered Jimi Hendrix’s “Electric Lady Land” LP in 1968 at the Record Plant in NYC where he also worked with Joe Cocker, NRBQ and The Vanilla Fudge. Kramer and his crew are also famous for recording the whole 1969 Woodstock festival. The studio became known as one of the world’s most popular recording studios. In 1969 he went independent where he produced Johnny Winter’s first LP and engineered “Led Zeppelin II”. In the same year, Hendrix hired Eddie to build an exquisite art studio, Electric Lady Studios, where he served as Director of Engineering from 1970 -1974. He has also worked on live recordings by Kiss, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker, Curtis Mayfield, David Bowie and Peter Frampton. Kramer has won several Grammys for his audio production of the video Jimi Hendrix live album The Band of Gypsies, “The Game of Love”, with Carlos Santana and vocals by Michelle Branch, Martin Scorcese presents- Jimi Hendrix –“The Blues” which Eddie produced and engineered, Jimi Hendrix –“Live at Berkley,” Led Zeppelin- “How the West was Won”. Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, The Cure, Buddy Guy and the Pixies also owe their thanks to Kramer for producing and engineering some of their best-selling albums. He is currently working on Acoustic Experience- a contemporary acoustic remake of Hendrix’s songs with artists Jason Mraz/Crosby and Nash, Mike Mc Cready and Brandi Carlisle, Grace Potter, Rafael Saadiq, Heart, Shinedown, etc. As a skilled photographer, his work is regarded as a highly valued collector’s items that have been exhibited in some of the world’s most prestigious galleries and museums.
‘David Bowie Is’ Exhibit to be Relaunched as Interactive VR Experience
The ‘David Bowie Is’ exhibit will be relaunched as an interactive VR and AR experience later this year. Unfolding the story of the artist’s creative journey through approximately 400 objects including original costumes, original album art, handwritten lyric sheets, photographs and videos, the touring exhibit finally closed in Brooklyn after being hosted in 12 cities in the last six years. It debuted in 2014 at London’s V&A Museum. Those who have missed the opportunity will now be able to enjoy the exhibit on their smartphones as it is set to live on in the form of a new VR and AR experience. In collaboration with the David Bowie Archive, Planeta, and V&A, Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. developed the digital recreation which will soon be available to fans. It is said that the digital version will “add unprecedented depth and intimacy to the exhibition experience, allowing the viewer to engage with the work of one of the world’s most popular and influential artists as never before.” Fans will be allowed to “step into” some of the icon’s costumes and try them on. Portions of the profits will be donated to the V&A and Brooklyn Museum. Fans are promised to explore the creative process of Bowie whose sustained reinventions, innovative collaborations, and bold characterizations revolutionized the manner in which we perceive music, inspiring people to develop their own individuality while challenging social norms.