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One totally godhead celebration to honor Rodney on the Roq
from: sbsun.com
Hollywood is the place where "it's all happening" on Friday.
Legendary radio personality Rodney on the Roq (known for the famous catchphrase above, among others) gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Knitting Factory (7021 Hollywood Blvd.).
For more than 30 years, Rodney Bingenheimer has exposed Southern California radio listeners to new rock music via his late Sunday night show on KROQ-FM (106.7).
During the early '70s, he co-owned and operated Rodney's English Disco, a hip L.A. nightclub on Sunset Blvd. where David Bowie, Elvis Presley and Led Zeppelin hung out.
Through Bingenheimer's radio show, countless acts got their first major airplay in Los Angeles.
The Ramones, Sex Pistols, Blondie, JOAN JETT, Van Halen, Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Go-Go's, Duran Duran, Sonic Youth, Oasis, No Doubt and Coldplay are just a handful.
Sam Nelson - the youngest son of the late Rick Nelson and singer for L.A. rock band H is Orange - watched the 2004 documentary on Bingenheimer ("Mayor of the Sunset Strip") and "came away thinking, `if there's one guy who deserved (a star), it's Rodney.' It became my mission to make it happen through diligence and hard work."
He started making calls and found people were "very interested and supportive" in getting a star approved on Bingenheimer's behalf.
"Rodney's not one to blow his own horn."
Fans started a Web site petition. A major boost came when KROQ morning DJs Kevin & Bean put their weight behind the campaign.
A benefit show with artist testimonials helped raise funds (the $25,000 sponsorship fee goes to the Hollywood Historic Trust for star security and maintenance).
Nelson said the station "was fantastic. They got fans to chip in and contribute money. Everybody helped and came together. It was truly a labor of love."
Hundreds of nominations are submitted annually. When the star approval didn't happen the first year, Nelson and others "kept plugging away" until it did in 2006.
He feels the star is another way to show how Rodney "helped put so many bands on the map."
One of those acts was Dramarama.
In 1985, Bingenheimer built a buzz for their album "Cin ma V rit ," by spinning the song "Anything Anything (I'll Give You)."
It later became one of the most requested in KROQ history.
"If anyone deserves to be recognized for their contribution to the world of radio, it's Rodney," said Dramarama vocalist John Easdale.
"I'm delighted and happy for him. A lot of Hollywood is about surface glitz and short lifespans, but the fact that he's been on the air for 30 years and had such an impact" is a real accomplishment.
"I'm sure he'll get the gold watch whenever he decides to retire," Easdale continued.
"I wouldn't get up early in the morning and drive to L.A. on Friday for anyone else."
KROQ presents a concert in conjunction with the Walk of Fame presentation on Friday night at the Henry Fonda Theatre.
The Donnas, Redd Kross, the Nymphs and Channel 3 perform. Tickets are $10.67 and available through Ticketmaster.
On Saturday at 9 p.m., KVCR-TV will broadcast an edited version of the Inland Empire Music Awards, held this past January, at Key Club Morongo.
Watch some of our best local bands, then scour MySpace or cdbaby.com to see if they have an album available.
Wonder from Down Under: Wolfmother has garnered plenty of radio airplay here of late, but another Sydney rock band made an equally impressive American debut.
Youth Group's CD "Skeleton Jar" was a shimmering beauty. The Aussies toured with Death Cab for Cutie, saw their Alphaville cover ("Forever Young") hit No. 1 back home and spawn an ARIA award (equivalent to our Grammy).
The quartet even opened the main stage at Coachella 2006 and wowed an early afternoon crowd.
Now they're back with sophomore effort "Casino Twilight Dogs" (Anti/Epitaph).
Produced by Wayne Connelly (The Vines), the CD builds on the promise of its predecessor.
Singer/guitarist Toby Martin has a warm, inviting voice that meshes well with Cameron Emerson's chiming guitar work.
A few tracks inspired by the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" utilize mellotron and subtle orchestration.
One even boasts a contribution by noted session bassist Carol Kaye.
Standouts include the sarcastic "Sorry," contemplative "Daisychains" and "Destruction of Laurel Canyon," about the L.A. mud slides.
Youth Group performs at Spaceland in Silverlake on March 13.
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